ACDF surgery recommended for C3-C7 - is it worth it?

I had lost 3” and after ACDF on C3-7, I have gained back an inch of length in my neck, which pleases me no end! Makes me look more regal. 😅

Just get a great surgeon !
The C3-4 C4-5 together for me was not as bad as I thought but recovering is longer then 4-6 weeks. You get anterior these days for this and reading everybody else’s story before didn’t bother me.

@jerrybeach Hi Jerry. I see you’re a new member and just wanted to say welcome!

I was told yesterday I need 4 level acdf cervical surgery. I am 57 years old and terrified. I hear alot of swallowing issues and terrible stories with 4 level fusion. I also have arthritis and DDD in both neck and spine. Is swallowing an issue? Does stiffness go away? will i be able to go to the gym?

@mimidpistilli Welcome to Connect. I was about your age when I found out I had spinal cord compression form a ruptured cervical disk with bone spurs. I too was shocked. It took me awhile to find a surgeon willing to help because I had some misunderstood symptoms. You might want to consider some other opinions. There are surgeons who will do fusions of bulging discs that may not be that bad. Other surgeons may offer different opinions on how many levels need surgery or different hardware options for fusions. With 4 levels, there may not be artificial disks cleared for this. I have heard of Mobi -C artificial disks being used on 2 consecutive levels. All procedures have risks and limitations so you need to find out and look at the benefit vs the risk of a less optimal result. Getting other opinions that agree with the first, would tell you that your first was valid. You have one chance to get this right in the surgeon and procedure you choose, and you can't undo this. Find the best surgeon you can with a good reputation that you trust. I saw your other post about having osteopenia. Bone quality is important when they screw anything to the spine. I had a cervical fusion of just one level done with no hardware; just a bone graft and I stayed in a neck brace for 3 months until fused.

As for swallowing, the first 3 weeks hurt and it was like half of my throat didn't know what to do. I can swallow fine, but I think the awareness of when something is in the wrong place isn't the same as it was before surgery. I have to be more careful now or I can swallow wrong. I am 8 years post op.

After surgery, it will be a long time before your surgeon will let you lift any weight. Exercise that pounds the spine like running probably isn't a good idea, but low impact exercise like walking helps oxygenate the body and helps your spine heal after surgery.

I was also scared of surgery. It was my biggest fear, but I got through it. You may be interested in this discussion about overcoming fear.

Just Want to Talk - "How can I defeat my anxiety about medical tests and surgery?"
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/how-can-i-defeat-my-anxiety-about-medical-tests-and-surgery/
Did your surgeon explain why they recommended 4 levels and show you the problems on your imaging?

I also had an ACDF C4-C7 in October 2023 with a very similar diagnosis - severe foraminal stenosis with bilateral nerve impingement on C5/C6. I waited 2 years after original diagnosis and tried everything before surgery. I carefully selected my Neurosurgeon that was highly recommended and rated in my area. I was 63 at the time of the procedure, very active and the gym was my second home. I will say the recovery for me has not been linear and I definitely am feeling better, however I’m learning the biomechanics of my body have changed. I do have muscular imbalances in my neck and upper back. I have done myofascial release, massage, 10 months of PT and now working on the mind body aspect of recovery. I retired early a year before my surgery due to the stress and issues with my neck. I’ve learned many ways to approach life in a gentler environment and way to live. Everyone’s recovery is different. You cannot compare it to anyone else’s. Spine surgery is also a surgery that impacts the central nervous system. I really had no choice but to have the procedure due to the impact of the bone spurs on the nerves and potential damage to the spinal cord. For me this recovery took longer than I expected. But the fusion is successful and I’m blessed. The best thing is to go into the procedure in the very best health you can, continue with a good diet and do your best. I wish you the best and I understand it’s a difficult decision.

Has anyone experienced frequent chills with their severe foraminal stenosis C1-7? The duration and intensity of my chills has progressed with my cervical compressed nerves. Yet DRs keep saying an undetermined auto immune disease. Excerpt from Radiologist report from MRI from October 10. 2024:

C5-6: Shelflike posterior disc-osteophyte complex flattens the ventral thecal sac. Advanced bilateral uncovertebral and facet arthropathy causes extremely severe right and severe left foraminal narrowing with
severe AP canal stenosis, little to no CSF anterior posterior to the cord. There is mild ventral cord flattening.

56yo active female here. I'm curious if you have had the surgery? I am 7 weeks out from a 4 level ACDF. C3-C7.
My MRI looked a lot like yours at the time of my surgery. I waited almost 15 years to have the surgery bc I had 2 kids at home. Now they're in college and even with having Cervical Spine Ablations, I couldn't handle the pain any longer. I no longer have that pain that's stolen so many of my years, but now I have a few other new issues. I developed GERD from the over 5 hours of holding my esophagus out of the way and also have dysphagia that I don't see clearing up any time soon. Curious if you have any of these collateral damages as well and what you're doing about it? Or if you're doing anything?
I hope you've found relief!

@mmanniko Hello and welcome to Connect. I'm not sure if you addressing a specific person here, so you might get responses from anyone. If you do want to address a specific member, for example, if I type @mmanniko you will get a notification sent to you to flag this post.

I had a C5-C6 ACDF, and had some swallowing issues for a couple weeks. I just had to be extra careful because it was like half of my throat didn't know what to do. Your surgery was more extensive and it hasn't been very long in your recovery. If you are still having issues after the fusion has set, your surgeon can send you for some physical therapy for swallowing. Hopefully the inflammation will subside by then. Therapy may be with a speech pathologist. My dad went through this because of a head injury where he lost he ability to swallow and he had to relearn it.