Failed ACDF Surgery

I feel so bad for you. It seems that lately there are a lot of unsuccessful surgeries. I know what chronic pain is and it's terrible, all I can say is know that you are not alone.

This doctor does revision surgery. You might send him your records. I met several of his patient who had failed cervical fusion. Rasoulispine 310 441-0066. https://www.rasoulispine.com/ You aren't getting adequate care.
There may be a capable physician closer to you, I'm so sorry that you have been in pain for so very long. Wishing you the best luck.

Remind me what ACDF is an acronym for? I've had to have 2 separate spinal fusion surgeries in my neck in 2016, and then again in 2018. They were performed by 2 different neurosurgeons because my first doctor retired, at 2 different hospitals.
The first procedure was at the C5-C6 junction because it had ruptured, that was unbelievably painful when that happened, 2 days before Christmas '15. That surgery went well, and my recovery took a few weeks.
The second procedure was at the C7-T1 level because the disc was deteriorating. Again, things went well, and it took a few weeks to get back to almost normal. You're not normal when you have 2 titanium plates and 2 pieces of bone from a cadaver in your neck.
Why aren't they calling your surgery a failed procedure then if you're still in constant pain? Maybe the hardware wasn't positioned correctly, or perhaps one of the screws is hitting a nerve? You need to go and tell them you want an MRI done ASAP. 2 1/2 years is ridiculous for them to not try more than they've offered.

Anterior Cervical Discectomy & Fusion

@gingert24
Have you been seeing your surgeon or their physician assistant?

Have you had a recent and updated cervical MRI? Is pain your primary symptom?

What were your symptoms prior to your ACDF surgery? Did you have herniated discs and bone spurs/osteophytes? Did you have spinal cord flattening or compression and/or pinched spinal nerve roots/nerves?

Did you have an EMG/nerve conduction study of your upper and lower limbs by a neurologist before your surgery? Have you had an updated one recently?

Did you ever have a SSEP test?
1. https://www.spine-health.com/treatment/diagnostic-tests/somatosensory-evoked-potentials-ssep
2. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/12393-evoked-potential-test
3. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/somatosensory-evoked-potential-sep-test

Doctors seem to think if the implant stays in place it is not a failed surgery, they did their part correctly. It could be a mechancal issue or soft tissue or arthritis. I would go to a top neurosurgeon who does cervical revision surgeries and do some more testing.
Have you had an MRI to check for bone spurs or possibly a partial fusion and an EMG (Elecromyogram) and NCS nerve conduction study (they do at the same time) to test for muscle or nerve damage. Has your upper cervical spine been checked so make sure you don't have instability in your upper cervical spine which can cause pain. A motion xray where you move your neck forward and backward on xray can show if there is appropriate movement in adjacent segments.
Myofascial release is a massage technique which can help relieve tight fascia. Regular massages like 2x a week to help relax the muscles for at least a month.
Do you do daily stretches. and band exercises for muscle strength. Have you tried moving gently in water.

A neck ablation can also be done to burn nerves that cause pain in the neck and sometimes that helps. You need to have a really good pain managment doctor that handles cervical nerves on a regular basis.

Have you tried wearing a soft cervical collar around to reduce tension in the neck area.

I have tried most of the above. I have an appointment with the surgeon that did my fusion this Wednesday. I just hope he doesn’t want to do another fusion. All it will do is create more pain. Thank you for responding and your thoughts.

Thank you!

I would insist on an MRI of your neck and your upper spine at minimum.