Recovery period ACDF c4/5 and c6/7, Posterior c4-to t1 laminectomy/fusion

After my July 2013 Posterior Cervical Thoractic Decompression with Micro-Discectomy I was in agony just trying to get into and out of bed. For the first two weeks I couldn't use my arms due to the pain from the trapezius muscle that was moved aside during surgery. A recliner I could sleep in would have made all the difference - but I didn't know that at the time.

For my upcoming surgery I'm way more prepared as to knowing pretty much what to expect. We now have two power recliners (my hubby liked mine so much he ordered a second identical one) and I've ready slept in mine three different nights. It's wonderful just to be able to push a button and slowly recline to a near level position, and then do the reverse when I want to sit up.

Just saw I had a second page. Nancy and Abilene thanks for recliner info. I would love to get a power recliner, if a used one works for me, I may have to consider rent to own from Aaron's. I know a push button one would be easier than trying to reach down and pull on a handle. Wish I still had the one that wore out in the 90's, it had the pocket arms for a drink and remotes, was big and cushy, slept in that many nights. I think the getting flat and getting up was the hardest after my original surgery, plus I couldn't find a pillow to sleep with for several years after. Hang in there everyone.

Nancy that recliner sounds awesome. Thanks

I have no knowledge of this. Since it just started, I think I would give my dr's office a call and ask their opinion.

Hope you get an answer.

Vernita I'm sure you know this but during this time before your surgery please be careful and don't do any heavy lifting or anything that will put stress on your neck and cervical spine. It sounds like things in your neck are pretty fragile right now and you sure don't want to do anything at all that will make things worse! As you know that area of the spine is just not a good area to have problems in! The consequences are just to great!! So please be careful!

You know for awhile just before I got my adjustable beds I talked to the VA and they brought me a adjustable hospital bed. it was actually better than my recliner that I had slept in for years. But when this local furniture store had this big sale I got these really nice fancy adjustable and the VA came and picked their bed up! Anyway if you can some way get a hold of one of them that might be another option??? Or maybe get some foam wedges? I've used those before too! They are better in some ways than pillows.

Just know your not alone in this, we're all here supporting you!

White Beard

I wish you the best and hope you recover well,
posterior c1-c2 in 1981 due to no fusion healing of fracture, made it 30 years, before the deterioration set in and ended up on disability and in a jazzy in 2009, not bad since they told me I would be in a wheel chair before the late 80s, gave in to the surgeons in 2012 and anterior c3-c4 c4-c5 c5-c6, even with the bone growth stimulator my outcome was even worse than we had expected.
but my nephew who had almost the exact same surgery as I is enjoying life to the fullest. each of us is different.
the things I most wish I had known about were the jaw and shoulder pain and the need for ice packs. I was fortunate that family were available to run at my beckon call, even though I live alone they are always just a short time away. I also found the audio books however you access them are the best, I could not hold a book or move my neck in any way to read so audio saved my sanity, the library will have a section hope they have something you want to hear.
I also had ready made meals I could just heat up, worked well and I did very well on my on with very few exceptions.
good luck
Also the recliner was indispensable, I slept in it for 2 weeks, bed was not an option.
I also have bouts of dizziness, at some of the oddest moments not just when I lay down, doc says it is pressure from the spurs and impingements and such and to just slowly tip turn and move my head a bit, sometimes it helps sometimes not.

Post Edited (yupstillhere) : 3/31/2015 9:34:56 PM (GMT-6)

Thanks yup. I am petrified of this surgery. And they told me today it will be done on 2 days. Anterior on the 27th, posterior on the 28th. I don't understand why.
Yes it seems everybody heals and reacts different to every thing. I have a strong faith, regardless still scared.
I am checking into books on cd. Also will be preparing food I can thaw and reheat.
I had c5/c6 done in 1991. Did well until now. Thinking back this past year I had been having kinks in my neck in the morning on occasion. Figured I slept wrong. Also had lots of snapping and crunching sounds trying to get the kink out. Just figured old age creeping up on me. Was floored when they told me what was wrong and what surgery I needed.
Sorry you have had problems, hope life is improving for you on a daily basis.

Hi again vernita... I've been following your thread :)
I saw the same results when I would use heat at therapy first. I would feel ok, get heat applied, then do all my exercises and my neck would be screaming at me by the end.
I told then I didn't think loosening things up, BEFORE all the work was helping.
Now I go in and do all the exercises first and then they apply heat when I'm done, and it made a huge difference. Keep that in ind for after the surgery too. You are having a lot of work done and will probably be in the same boat as me during recovery.
My neck doesn't tolerate much more than passive motion and all the work they did added pressure to the spine below and it gets angry when I over do it.
Heating it up, prior to my workout, was definitely not helpful.
Just one more thing worth mentioning maybe...
I borrowed the rolling hospital table and a shower chair and stuff from my local lions club.... Not sure if you have one near you..but it's worth a shot :)

Hoping everyone is doing well.
I am going to see another neurosurgeon for another opinion. I am not getting my concerns answered by this guy, I inquired of his assistant about surgery date choices of the 27th and 28th. I need to know which to make plans for my dogs boarding. They plan to do surgery on both days, anterior on 27th, posterior on 28th, because they have to flip me over. I have never seen or heard of such. I do not want to go through 2 days of being put to sleep. Plus a week in the hospital.
Continuing to try to keep my frustration level down.

Ok, I will Nancy

Thanks for the response Susie. I worked in surgery for 25 years, so I know they don't like to put someone asleep 2 days in a row. We flipped people all the time. Had been having a gut feeling this past week that I needed to get another opinion. This guy is not answering my questions, and I was told he would go over everything at pre-op visit. That is too late for me to take care of my needs.
I got the referral to see someone else, just waiting for them to call and schedule appointment. Hope I can get in next week. More than likely I will change to the new guy for everything.

Hi Abilene, I picked up my MRI films and radiology report. I need to take them in to the new Neurosurgeon, then they will give me an appointment. I am anxious to get his opinion. I will not be using the other guy. It is just too risky to be put to sleep 2 days in a row. That was never recommended during the 25 years I worked in surgery. Now I am curious if he was recommending too much surgery. Will be interesting to find out. I am prepared for whatever the verdict is. Ready to get this over with.
It has been a long process so far.
Thanks for checking on me. I hope you are doing well.