That's awesome that your surgery went so well for you and that you had near instant relief of the weakness and numbness. Stay strong and heal well. Life is here for us to live.

"C"

I'm so happy for you that you are doing well!!! I may be in touch with you later today.....Looks like I may have a similar surgery facing me; my issues are also at C5-6 and C6-7.

I'm meeting with a NS this morning to discuss the results of my MRI:

At the C5-C6 intervertebral disc space, there are severe disc degeneration changes. This is associated with anterior osteophytes. There is also a broad-based spur or a disc herniation complex that displaces the cord dorsally. There is a flattening of the cervical cord lateralized slightly greater towards the left side. In addition, there are also severe bilateral foraminal stenotic changes seen at this level. The AP diameter of the spinal canal is compromised at this level. It measures approximately 5 to 6 mm in its AP dimension at this level. In addition, on the sagittal images, there is suggestion of a focal area of increased T2 signal intensity in the cervical cord at this level, most likely represent myelomalacic change.

At the C6-C7 intervertebral disc space, there are also disc degeneration changes with anterior osteophytes. There is a broad-based spur or a disc herniation complex that displaces the thecal sac posteriorly. There is a slight flattening of the cervical cord at this level as well. Mild foraminal stenosis from osteophytes in the neural foramina are
seen at this level as well. There is also an AP diameter spinal stenosis with the AP diameter of the spinal canal measuring approximately 7 mm in its
diameter.

Thanks so much for being a resource! Although I have already had a fusion done, that was 15 years ago and was just one level. And I have to say, it went very well without any complications. As I'm reading through this site I realize that I may have a more complicated surgery facing me and I'll need all the advice I can get from people who have "been there and done that"!

Now I'm off to get ready for the appointment!! Wish me luck!!

...that's great news regarding your recovery so far. Keep up the positive vibes!

I had the same procedure 4 weeks ago (but with cadaver bone graft). I've been out of my soft collar for a few weeks, and I too have the "lumpy" feeling remaining in my throat. Otherwise I can't say I've had as much progress with my pre-op symptoms. Numbness and tingling is still there in my right hand, although slightly less than before. Neck pain and tightness still there, but no surprise since I believe that takes longer to resolve and some of it could be surgical soreness. I didn't have severe arm or hand pain related to my cervical issues, but I have wicked shoulder pain related to a chronic condition/previous injury in that area. Next up for me after I heal from ACDF is to tackle the shoulder problems...

regards,
obx

So glad to find your post. I had the same surgery on June 16 with donor bone & am in the Aspen hard collar, which I hate. You are right about the heat! I was so scared also; almost told them on the pre-op table to forget it! I do not have stitches; my doctor used steri strips which have not bothered me. I had some soreness in swallowing for the first few days, but that has pretty much subsided; I did not experience the blob in the throat feeling. I, too, was on the morphine drip, but unfortunately for me, I have found that I am allergic to the narcotic pain meds. including the morphine, percocet, loratab, darvocet. They make me itch unbearably all over. I was prescribed the generic for vicodin & muscle relaxer flexipril which have helped. I do not have the numbness in my hand any longer, but wearing the collar makes my shoulder blades & neck ache in the back.

I have had a hard time getting comfortable to sleep and with the not being able to drive. Bad case of cabin fever.

I go back to the doctor next Tues. & I hope I can come out of the collar.

Everyone hang in there & I thank God I found this site.

Hi, I am new here. I just had this surgery on 6/9. I went home the same day, no collar at all. I had a few rough days tring to get comfortable, and I could not swallow hardly anything for 4-5 days. The pain and numbness in my left arm & fingers went away almost immediately. Now 2 weeks later, as I start to try to do more, the numbness has come back in my fingers. Although not as bad as before the surgery.I too have that lump in my throat, but it is getting better everyday. I have returned to work today, office job. My doctor said it was ok as long as I take it easy, and not lift anything. My doctor has also ordered a Bone growth stimulator to help speed up the fusion in my spine. I get that on Monday. Well good luck to all of you...

I've been reading posts for a while this morning and starting to feel panic rising in my throat. It's suffocating panic.

I'm glad you posted about the surgery AND the pain relief they were able to provide you while in the hospital. I'm not a candidate for surgery - but needed to hear a happier ending.

jas

I'm 30 days today post ACDF C5-C7, My first weeks were the hardest, and the pain between the shoulders from surgery position was intense at times. But let me tell you this much, when I went into Surgery 6/2/09 at 7am I went in with pain/numbness & tingling in the right arm and fingers, When I woke up from surgery and got my bearings, the arm and fingers were 99% back to normal. The pain was gone and stayed gone. The numbness which was on a scale of 1-10 prior to surgery was staying around 9 in the fingers had gone to 1 after and within 2 weeks has gone to (0) yes Zero. It's hard to learn how to sleep in the hard collar but trust me you'll figure it out. I go back to my surgeon this Monday July 6th I hope I'm released to go back to work. I'm just not the type to stay home, I do walk several miles a day .

G

I am a 41 year old woman who had the same surgery on 6/18. Immediately following the surgery the numbness in my right and middle finger in my right hand was gone. I was in the hospital over night and released the next morning. The first week I felt incredible wasnt on any pain meds and thought it was a miracle. After the first week is when all the pain and numbness returned. The pain between my shoulders was incredible.not only does my right arm hurt so does my left one now. The feeling of having a ball in my throat is still very evident. it is just 3 weeks past the surgery and getting better slowly. I have not returned to work only because my doctor hasnt released me to do so yet, althought its prob the best thing, i might have hurt myself more with out realizing it. after the surgery i was able to move my neck with out the cracking sound but that too has returned. I started putting maderma on my scar and im not sure if its the healing thats itching me or the maderma i have been using it for a week now, i'm thinking maybe it was to soon to start using the maderma??

I'm going to have this surgery done on my C4-5, c5-6, and C6-7 on august 20th! (with plates, too) I'm glad to hear you're doing well!
I'm really nervous about this, as I have a 4yo little girl, and my hubby won't be able to take off of work for very long...so I'll have to start taking care of her about a week or so after surgery.

My surgery will be Aug 20th on C6 & C7. They will replace with cadaver bone and then a plate screwed in place for stability. Dr tells me i wont have a collar to wear. Im just wondering what kind advice you guys can give in order for me to prepare. I will be at home alone after surgery with family coming home at night. I am so independent so i want to get as much prepared as i can. I do a desk job during the day at work so what can i prepare at work in order to get back as soon as possible.

Thank you guys so much and your words have been so encouraging!
Tina

I'm about 20 days out and doing OK. I'm still on pain meds but it's not a bad as I thought. Cough drops are great for your sore throat. It really isn't that bad, I was so scared before and after I was like, this feels funny but it's not terrible. You'll see and my doc said some don't even get a sore throat. Good Luck and I also have been wearing the stimulator, which if I fuse sooner will be worth the effort.

Cindy

Im also wanting information on things i can get/do ahead of time to make things easier on me. I had a lady tell me that she had a neck pillow that had a ice/heat pack that helped greatly. Thanks so much for the encouragement and information on recovery.

Greetings all! I am new here, and too the first time I have posted to sites such as these. Reading has been very informative! A bit of my background:

I have been a helicopter pilot for 30 years some of which the flying was with night vision goggles, and almost all with a flight helmet. The other portion of my job is law enforcement. In late 2007 I started getting a lot of numbness, weakness and pain radiating out to the right side of my neck, shoulder down to the hand. After x-rays, EMG testing, MRI and physical exam, it was determined that I had generative disk disease at C5/6 along with a herniation abutting the cord. In March of 2008 my NS completed an anterior fusion with instrumentation. That surgery was awsome! When I awoke, pain, weakness, numbness - GONE! I was back to work 9 weeks later. Okay....

April 2009 I am stretching my arms up in a yawn, my hubby asks me a question. I turn my head about 90 degrees left to answer him and feel a "rubber band" type of pop. Instantly, burning pain in the right shoulder blade and triceps, numb index and middle finger, nerve twitching in the web between my index and thumb on the top of my hand. About 15 minutes later I got on my hands and knees to change out a CD. Being left handed I reached with my left hand to extract the CD and my right arm completely collapsed.

Tests again. EMG and MRI (stand up) showed my C6/7 now herniated! Gawd - a yawn?!?! On August 18th I underwent fusion at this level. I guess I signed the wrong warranty as I only got a year and a month before the level adjacent went bad! When I woke after the surgery, as with my prior fusion - pain, weakness, numbness - GONE. Okay (sniff), I am now in week 7 and guess what? You got it, starting to get burning pain in my right shoulder blade, burning (and warm to the touch) in my right triceps and my index finger is going numb again. The nerve twitch is now in both hands in the web between the index finger and thumb. Typing is clumsy again as well.

Today was my "release back to light duty" doctor appointment. Nope, "I don't like what I am seeing. I want you to get another MRI to see if there is something else going on. Depending on what it reveals, I will release you for light duty, but you might have permanent damage." Great...medical retirement might be on the horizon. Oh, did I mention I am only 47, but my neck is like 90?

Of you all that have had many of the symptoms return weeks or months after surgery, what was the final result? A bone spur missed? Scar tissue? Shift in the graft? I am trying to keep a positive attitude as it has kept me alive all these years, but the look on my surgeons face today did not bode well to me. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks all.

Brenda

I'm awful sorry to hear about your pain. I am having similar problems. My problem became worse within 2 years after my surgery. It started with a car accident in '95. I tried everything possible to avoid surgery... for about 7 years. It got to be intolerable and so(based on my neurologist rehab doc's advice)I had the surgery. Fusion at c45 & c56. This helped the numbing and tingling for a while, but the pain has persisted. The surgery was 4 years ago. The last two years have been my worst. I know I have spurs and also degenerative arthritis in my neck, but I didn't suspect any other disks might be involved.

Recently I went to see a new Pain doc, cause my old one left the practice. I was taking a lot of pain meds & neurontin for years. This new pain doc doesn't do drugs and wants to see a new mri and is having me consider an implanted CSC - like a tens unit under the skin and attached into my spinal canal. This would come with a remote for changing the intensity and pulsating action as needed. I don't know if i like the idea.

The burning that I feel is in my right forearm and upper arm, shoulder blade muscle and up the right side of my neck and face. This doc leads me to believe that it's permanent damage to the nerves that is wearing on my muscles surrounding them. I will get the mri but also a second opinion with a new doc. Good luck to you and I hope to hear more about how you're coming along.

Brenda-
Unfortunately, I'm not feeling very hopeful just yet. After so many attempts at relief, I had all but accepted that I would be living with pain for the rest of my life. Silly & stupid, though. I finally agreed to another MRI, because I've not had one since prior to my surgery in '04. It's only because of the postings on this web site that I realized there could be a different reason for the pain other than the nerve/muscle deterioration beginning at my neck and ending at my thumb & index finger of my right arm. I now realize that there is a good chance that either the upper or lower disc at the fusions could be problematic. If I find there "is" another disc problem, I could find relief with another surgery. We shall see. I will get at least 2 opinions after the MRI before proceeding with any type of procedure.

Nice having someone with similar problems to talk to about this stuff!

After a body surfing accident in February spinal stenosis found on MRI...bad burning sensation in arms and hands. I had corpectomy and fusion on April 6th...4 weeks in hard collar so far, at least 2 more weeks...then "heavy duty" physical therapy. I have experienced some symptom relief, but not to my satisfaction. Have weaned myself down to a gram of Tylenol a couple times/day and a Percocet at bedtime. Swallowing o.k., but I'm worried about return to work. My job, ER nurse is very demanding. I'm hoping symptoms will continue to diminish once out of hard collar and resumption of normal activities. Would love to converse with others. Good luck to all! the cycle RN

Long story short I am having ACDF c 5/6 c 6/7 on Aug 3rd due to my spinal cord being compromised and impinged. In one area there is no spinal fluid any more and the NS told me that I needed this surgery or I run the risk of paralysis. I also have chronic pain issues in lower back due to three discs which also need surgery, but they both said this was more important due to the risks of permanent damage. They will be taking bone from the hip. I am quite nervous and I have chronic pain and nueropathy. I was told I could probably go home same day but I requested at least 1 night stay at the hospital and if I don't feel ready I will ask for two. He said fine on the first day already.I am just concerned about what life will be like after this and worry about the fushion working right. I keep telling my self there really is no choice due to the risks involve with doing nothing. I am 53 and I can'r bellieve how bad my back is. I hope I will at least have good pain meds while I am recovering as I don't need more long term pain issues. Anyone who can speak to any of these concerns I would appreciate it because as for now I am fairly nervous about it all. Your comments will all be appreciated greatly.

I have walked in your shoes, Al. I also had a sudden onset of cervical spine problems. My first symptoms began in May of 08, tried PT until finally an MRI was prescribed and my PCP told me I needed to find a surgeon. Luckily, I had a friend who worked with someone who had a multi-level cervical fusion and raved about his surgeon, so I went to him.

I was told on my first visit with him that I needed surgery for the same reasons you state that you need surgery, it wasn't a matter of if, but when so I scheduled it right away. Mine was a 3-lvl at C4-7.

It's true that the cervical problems are usually more emergent than the lumbar problems due to the risk of paralysis. The cord at the cervical level controls more functionality than at the lumbar level, so I understand why your surgeon wants to fix your cervical problems first.

I stayed in the hospital one night and I was very ready to go home the next day. In fact, for the first two days I felt fine and my husband even told me on my first night home that he wished I'd act like I just had surgery. I was wearing an aspen brace and it was quite clear how serious the surgery was, but I felt good. However, two days later I felt like I'd been hit by a truck. I'm told that this is due to the anesthetic they put in the surgical area that stays with you for a couple of days and once it wears off, the pain comes full on.

With that said, however, I found that the recovery really wasn't too bad, relatively speaking. I've now fused at all three levels - that's always the biggest concern, so I understand yours - but now have issues above my fusion that we're not going to deal with now for various reasons, one being that I'm only having pain in my neck, no other radicular symptoms. The C6/7 is the most difficult to fuse due to the constant movement at that level, but mine finally fused after over a year.

You should get some good pain and muscle relaxants for your home recovery and it's best to take them on schedule for at least the first week or two. It's important to stay ahead of the pain because once it gets too bad, it's hard to get under control. Only start tapering down when you're ready and are feeling better.

Walking as soon as possible is important after you get home is imperative as well. Small walks around the house first and then longer as you are able, continuing to increase as time goes by.

I've had both lumbar and cervical fusion and even though my cervical was 3-lvl and my lumbar was 1-lvl, the lumbar recovery was far worse than the cervical recovery.

Oh, and one more thing - if you're getting really nervous, you can ask your surgeon to prescribe you some medication to help keep you calm until the big day, like Xanax. I was prescribed these before both surgeries. I can tell you that many here will tell you that the anticipation is oftentimes worse than the surgery itself. I found that to be the case with both of my surgeries.

Hope some of this helps. Are you going to be wearing a brace?

Take care and if I can help you in any way, don't hesitate to PM me.

Cath

Yes, it IS serious surgery and you can expect a long recovery. It's not all roses and champagne, that's for sure. Any time we have surgery on our spines it's very, very serious and you should take it as such.

But with that said, I'm sure you're going to do fine and please come back when it's over so we can help you through your recovery.

Also, be sure you get things ready at home for when you come back post-op, like bendy straws, a recliner, a rolling table next to your "station" (mine was a recliner), medical dressings to change, etc. I also hope that you plan on having someone with you for at least the first week, you'll be tired and having someone to help you with meds and food will be a god-send.

Take care, Al. I'm glad you're going to call for some meds to help while you wait.

Cath

It's been three months since my post to this site...I don't know much of the technical jargon and I was lucky not to have many chronic back problems...just lumbar pain with sciatica that's very well controlled with the "thomas stretch"...if you aren't familiar with it...Google it. Anyway, I'm back to work as an ER nurse...so, I guess anyone would call that a successful surgery. I take Aleve twice a day and Neurontin at bedtime. One night in the hospital was not enough for me, two was just right...I woke up from surgery feeling like a lineman for a pro football team...I needed iv dilaudid...lived on Percocet for several weeks...but did get walking quickly. I wore a Miami collar for 6 weeks (that's one of the reasons I needed all that Percocet)...had 6 weeks of physical therapy after that, now I'm back to working out and riding my bike, in addition to my job. One of the low points was the morning of surgery, xanax is probably a good idea. I'm using a bone growth stimulator...30 minutes every morning...the surgeon says I'm fusing well...will see him again in 2 months. Give yourself time to heal...it will pay off. Good luck! the cycle rn

Well, I think I had c4, c5 & c6 in April (2010)...almost completely normal. Wore hard collar for 6 weeks, then lots of "resistance" physical therapy (non-movement). I am an ER nurse...so lots of physical demands...no problem...neuropathies almost gone too...Aleve in AM & 300mg of Neurontin at bedtime. Good luck!