Surgery of the cervical spine: What was ACDF like for you?

@lornacc24 Hi Lorna. Welcome to Connect. Did you have experience with spine issues that you wanted to share? I am doing well and thank you for asking. I don't know about spine specialist availability in Canada, but I have heard of very long waits for consultation appointments. May I answer an questions for you?

Thank you for the reply Jennifer. I recently found out that i have bulging disc of my C4,5 and left foramenal encroachment at these level. This was happened after i lifted a heavy thing. The basw of my neck was in excruating pain for straight 5 days and then there was burning pain down to my shoulder blade and radiating down to my arm and scathered numbness and electric sensation in my fingers. Its worrisome because you are right, here in Canada it will be almost a gamble to rely on the health system as it takes time to see specialist . Im just turning 42 years old this year and im worried that i get stuck in the system and waste years of my life in pain. So i been searcing for possibilities and i came accross your story. Finding the right doctor is another story but reading stories like yours health others like me to have faith and be persistant and become advocate of your own health. I will be writing you and ask questions while im figuring out my corcuumstances. And thank you for sharing your story.

I had ACDF cervical spine surgery on 4/29/2025 C5 C6 & C6 C7 for severe nerve compression. Had an MRI on 7/7/2025 which shows the following C5 C6 Right uncovertebral osteophyte. Mild facet hypertrophy. There is mild central canal narrowing with cord maintaining normal signal. There is moderate right exiting foraminal stenosis.
C6 C7 mild central canal narrowing. Uncovertelral osteophytes create moderate to severe and severe left exiting foraminal stenosis.
I am now as of September 2025 having symtoms returned of heavy legs, tingling fingers, pain on left side neck shoulder and down arm
and again with feeling lightheaded with pressure on the top of my head that cause me frustration since it had been getting better. Dr says nothing can be done and P/T makes my lightheadedness to get worse. Any opinions will help I am an 80 year old previously very active with walking 2 miles a day, doing yard work and normal now I have to miss things important to me (like my sons upcoming wedding) because I can't function.

Im desperate for help regarding my previous post. I have seen another spine surgeon and he wants me to have C6 C7 ablation and botox for muscle spasms from my previous ACDF surgery done on 4/29/2025. My last MRI shows that my C6 C7 has a disc osteophyte complex causing severe left and moderate right neural foraminal narrowing but both surgeons have said that is not what is causing my headaches dizziness tingling fingers muscle weakness in hands and legs/feet. I have a hard time using my hands to do things and walk with a cane because i'm not steady on my feet. Should I see another spine surgeon before having the ablation and botox. I am good at having needles but this scares me to have it done.

I forgot to ask about how do you know if it is muscle spasms because I have no idea how myself or the doctor can tell if that is happening especially since my symptoms are all day long but feel nothing that feels like spasms other than some left side neck pain that comes and goes. As I mentioned in my last post the symptoms are all day long and it is so frustrating.

Thank you