@artemis1886
I am sorry to hear your ACDF surgery affected your esophagus. My ACDF was done at the C5-C6 level and I do not have any issues with swallowing. I had not heard that there is an expectation of needing ACDF surgery every 10 years. I did hear that the more levels involved/fused, the more it can destabilize vertebrae above/below the level of surgery. I have a cage around my cervical spine levels operated on and every now and then I have some pain in my neck (not sure if from sleeping in certain positions or if my cage presses on any nerves in my neck). I am glad I did my surgery due to spinal cord compression which affected bladder, arm/hand strength and dexterity as well as walking (felt like I had heavy cement boots on). If your spinal cord is being compressed/injured, it could cause permanent damage to your spinal cord which is irreversible.