@msstoppainnagginme I had surgery to put a spacer at my C4-C5 and C5-C6 and then a titanium plate was used as part of the fusion. Over time the spacers will fill in with bone and be fused, so to speak.They went in through the front of the neck versus the back, which is safer in terms of the spinal cord being avoided. I had bone on bone at the C5-C6 and two herniations C4-C5/C5-C6. Also had two bone spurs removed and a little stenosis causing narrowing of the foramen. My symptoms were primarily on the left side with left shoulder issues, a painful spot in the upper left shoulder blade, left hand and fingers would sometimes tingle. Occasionally the right hand would do so as well. This developed about four years ago and I had several opinions on it. An orthopedic doc wanted to operate on it and my lower lumbar, as it had issues too. I then went to a neurosurgeon and he said no way to the lower lumbar but that he might entertain the idea of the cervical spine if my arm started to have issues functioning. I did some PT which only minimally helped. Eventually, symptoms went away. For whatever reason, they returned this past summer and were worse. Went to another neurosurgeon and he recommended the ACDF. I had already tried two months of prescription anti-inflammatories, an oral steroid pack, two epidural injections and three sessions of traction. He felt surgery was the only option. Oh and my neck did not have it's natural curve. It was more straight with one vertebra shifting almost the other way. He fixed that during surgery and said the way it had been was setting myself up for more herniations. I don't know if you are on Facebook or not but there is a great group of people with cervical spine issues that are very helpful. The Mayo Clinic Connect is also great but if you want additional insight, request to join this group. https://www.facebook.com/groups/CervicalDiscACDFSURGERY/

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