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ACDF surgery recommended for C3-C7 - is it worth it?
Spine Health | Last Active: Apr 16 6:15pm | Replies (32)Comment receiving replies
Iam having ACDF 4 fusion surgery May 6th 2025. I'm 51 years old and unfortunately I did not go to the doctor 9 years ago when I first had numbing symptoms in my leg. It wasn't until last year when the pain was so bad and it was affecting my whole left side to which I could not perform my daily tasks. I did 13 weeks of therapy and have had epidural injections in my neck before I I finally agreed to the surgery. My MRI has everything between multiple stenosis faucet joint problems sever arthritis, degenerative disc disease multiple bone spurs and on and on. They say I also have nerve root damage. I've done research about this surgery and the differences between cadaver bones they will put in between my disc's and the recovery. I was hoping is there anyone that has advice for me during the long recovery who has also had alot of these problems at once? Anything the doctors don't tell u that u think they should? I will also be having lumbar surgery after recovery from this one
Replies to "Iam having ACDF 4 fusion surgery May 6th 2025. I'm 51 years old and unfortunately I..."
@sheri2025
I wish you the best for your surgery. I can empathize (I am 55). The surgery will help stop the progression/worsening of your symptoms. If nerve roots and nerves are damaged, they may or may not be able to fully heal over a long time. Any spinal cord injury can be permanent so you want to stop it from worsening.
Hi Sherri
I had ACDF c5-c7
The surgery was necessary due to spinal chord compression and slippage due to my neck reversing its curve and slippage of Verteba
( anterolisthesis/ Cervical Kyphosis). Normally fusion is not necessary unless the spinal chord is compromised or slippage. Cadaver bone is the best. Will you have a plate or a cage? Your will have allot of pain at the incision so do not be surprised and your neck will feel very weak at first. I was able to have a great recovery and do most of the activities / sports I use to do. I had a great surgeon. You will have reduced mobility in your neck w that's many levels done. With c5-c7 it did not impact me much until the new problems started. I managed my pain up until this point w very successful Radio Frequency Ablation from a very skilled pain management doctor. Unfortunately my condition now warrents surgery.
Because everyone in my life has died at young age, I over did it with moving and packing and carrying stuff and more active than should have been, so I now need to be fused posterior for same major problems as my last fusion (since anterior could have more adverse consequences with vocal chords and other already having anterior fusion done a) from c2-c5 on April 28th. That is also a consequence of amy ACDF, but I had no problem. Did they tell you how limited your neck mobility would be with that many levels fused? I am terrified ( was not for the 1st surgery) , it is more painful from the back, and dangerous since they must cut the muscles, longer more painful recovery, and horrible scar.
I have no clue how much mobility I will have since I will now be fused from c2-c7. I have asked on this site if anyone has had similar and never got a response. I also have no clue if I will be able to manage for myself at home with no help. Did your surgeon show you the MRI with exactly where your problems exist? Sometimes they fuse more levels than required, since they get paid more based on the number of the levels.
I hope this helps/makes sense. If you can respond to any of my questions - would greatly appreciate. I am in tears and pain everyday.
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@sherri2025
I had ACDF of c5-c6 in 2022 and will have ACDF on c6-c7 May 19th. I was misdiagnosed over 5 years and have some permanent spinal cord injury. The cervical spine surgery is not as difficult as lumbar. I had lumbar spine decompression and fusion of l3-l5 in 2024 and very painful/long recovery in comparison.
I had the surgeon use my own bone spurs that were removed rather than cadaver bone. This way, your body is more likely to accept/not reject the fusion “cement” made out of your own bone.
Cervical spine issues can definitely affect many things below the level of injury. It is important not to fall and injury your spinal cord further (I fell 2 times before I was properly diagnosed and knew what was wrong with my spinal cord). I am lucky I am not fully paralyzed.