@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.