I could use some feedback from anyone who has had cervical fusion.

@misstrish65 There has been a member here on Connect who did the Dueks rhizotomy and says that it made him a lot worse off than he was before, and he's been in constant pain, and can no longer hold his head up correctly. He really regrets having the procedure and spending thousands of dollars for it loosing most of his savings as it wasn't covered by insurance. Here is a link to the post. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/930028/

You should also search for complaints about that provider outside of Connect or disciplinary action in the state where they are located. I have no experience with this but wanted you to be aware.

Yes, I can bend my neck any which way, but again, I don't know how common that is after this surgery. Everyone and every circumstance can be different. I consider myself lucky and blessed. I rarely watch tv or read, for that matter, without a pillow behind my neck so I don't place too much strain on my neck. I have a “pillow pad” from Target for my iPad and also use this holder for books when I read. There are no specific guarantees, with or without the surgery.

Thank you for your experience! Every little bit of advice is golden 😊

I recently had C4-7 Posterior Spinal Fusion, C5-6 Laminectomy on November 20. 2024. About 10 days prior to the surgery, my Orthopedic Surgeon, through a recent CT scan, determined that I had a paralyzed left vocal cord. He determined it would be safer to do "posterior" through back of the neck to avoid the possibility of damaging my right vocal cord. Going "anterior" through the front of throat is significantly less painful than posterior and I believe your recovery period will be shorter. The incision is much smaller too. My Orthopedic Surgeon managed my pain management prescriptions for a 12-week period, which ends on February 12th. I do have to remain off of Celebrex (and all NSAIDs) for a full 9 months from the date of the surgery. I had to wear the hard neck brace for 7 weeks all the time, including while sleeping. I got used to it though. Found it easier to sleep in a recliner chair for the better part of the first 7 weeks. When I did sleep in a bed, I had to be elevated. The first 2 weeks were the most difficult. Driving is impacted still, especially backing out of a parking space due to limited range of motion. I just always try to find a spot where I can pull through and not have to back out.

Yes, I have a multi disciplinary team in spinal disease. Main one is pain management. I've seen 2 neurosurgeons, one said I need surgery immediately and one said it could wait.

Hello, I was told my basic issue is bad arthritis in my neck and no cartilage. Bone spurs as well but no stenosis so the surgery might not work as well for me. Not sure I understand why?!?! If it would help with spinal stenosis, why not Cervical spondylosis? Anyone have surgery for what I have? What’s the success? I hate the constant muscle spasms and achy feeling every dang day. The headaches several times a week and I just ache like I can’t hold my head up.

Hi. Not sure how helpful this is going to be BUT… I’ve had neck pain for YEARS. Injections do not work and neither did anything else. I’ve had two fusions (ACDF that didn’t fuse leading to PCDF, leaving me still with issues…) and, I will tell you what I was told and this is the gods honest truth: once you start messing with the spine, it never stops. Levels above and below become compromised.

Try PT. Do your exercises everyday even a home. Find a great massage therapist. I have gone through a million pillows until I found one that’s decent: https://my.coreproducts.com/

I hope some of this helps. Best of luck!🤞

I had an ACDF C6-7 (level 1) surgery in October, and I thank God every single day since that I did. I woke up from the surgery literally pain free from my excruciating nerve pain. I was so grateful that I could move all my fingers and toes upon waking up. Now, the rest of my body hurt, lol. I also have had some pangs of angry muscles in the area my nerve pain hurt the most every now and then, but overall, they're short lived and nothing compared to pre-surgery.
I had a hard time finding good information pre-surgery on what to expect, so I did put together a video about some of the things I experienced and some advice from my own personal experience. Maybe it will help answer questions and also help you prepare for the before and after the surgery. It's on my YouTube, user @kdskorner33. I can't post links otherwise I'd link to it for convenience.

Good luck!