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ACDF and recovery post-op?

Posted by birdman518 @birdman518, Jan 17, 2022

Hello all! Finally my surgery is scheduled... all pre-op stuff done, so they are supposed to call me tomorrow with my exact time to report.
I will be have 3 levels done: C3-C6. I am supposed to be able to go home the same day, but I guess that depends on several factors. I hope I do not have to stay over in the hospital.
My only question (besides general comments which are always welcome) is for anyone who has had this done. What did you do for sleeping, and for how long? I typically sleep on my right side, but due to an arthritic hip sometimes have to toss and turn to get comfortable. Although I will have a soft collar on, I would worry about twisting too much. I don't really want to sleep in a recliner, but should I plan on it? For how long?

I would love to hear your answers..

Mitch

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Profile picture for seidholz
seidholz | @seidholz | May 19 9:03am

I had ACDF surgery a year ago as the result of a fall. I impinged the C5 nerve causing pain and numbness. The major effect was the lack of strength and mobility from my left bicep to my right thumb.
All other muscles on my left side are fine. It’s only when I engage the bicep, for instance, raising a glass of water with my left hand- that I have weakness. It’s been a year and I can only curl 5 lbs with my left hand. Before the fall I was curling 30 lbs.
I have no pain but the lack of strength is concerning. My doctor said it could take up to two years to recover 80-90% of the strength.
Has anyone else experienced this? Is there a way to accelerate nerve recovery? Diet, TENS Unit, supplement?
I did not damage the nerve. It was mildly impinged

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1 reply
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Moderator
Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | May 19 3:21pm
In reply to @seidholz "I had ACDF surgery a year ago as the result of a fall. I impinged the..." + (show)
Profile picture for seidholz @seidholz

I had ACDF surgery a year ago as the result of a fall. I impinged the C5 nerve causing pain and numbness. The major effect was the lack of strength and mobility from my left bicep to my right thumb.
All other muscles on my left side are fine. It’s only when I engage the bicep, for instance, raising a glass of water with my left hand- that I have weakness. It’s been a year and I can only curl 5 lbs with my left hand. Before the fall I was curling 30 lbs.
I have no pain but the lack of strength is concerning. My doctor said it could take up to two years to recover 80-90% of the strength.
Has anyone else experienced this? Is there a way to accelerate nerve recovery? Diet, TENS Unit, supplement?
I did not damage the nerve. It was mildly impinged

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Hi, @seidholz - just wanted to let you know I moved your post here so that you could chat with others already discussing Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion surgery (ACDF) and recovery from this procedure:

- ACDF and recovery post-op? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/acdf-scheduled-for-wednesday/

Hoping others here can advise whether they also experienced lack of strength to the degree you have had it after the ACDF and whether they found or were advised of a way to accelerate the recovery of their strength. Please meet @birdman518 @gerred2024 @lebanon100 @grandma72 @gerred2024.

Have you been doing any physical therapy following your procedure? If so, has your physical therapist weighed in on your strength recovery in your arm?

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2 replies
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seidholz | @seidholz | May 19 6:07pm
In reply to @lisalucier "Hi, @seidholz - just wanted to let you know I moved your post here so that..." + (show)
Profile picture for Lisa Lucier, Moderator @lisalucier

Hi, @seidholz - just wanted to let you know I moved your post here so that you could chat with others already discussing Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion surgery (ACDF) and recovery from this procedure:

- ACDF and recovery post-op? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/acdf-scheduled-for-wednesday/

Hoping others here can advise whether they also experienced lack of strength to the degree you have had it after the ACDF and whether they found or were advised of a way to accelerate the recovery of their strength. Please meet @birdman518 @gerred2024 @lebanon100 @grandma72 @gerred2024.

Have you been doing any physical therapy following your procedure? If so, has your physical therapist weighed in on your strength recovery in your arm?

Jump to this post

@lisalucier please include me on this discussion. This has been quite a journey

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for seidholz
seidholz | @seidholz | May 19 8:09pm
In reply to @lisalucier "Hi, @seidholz - just wanted to let you know I moved your post here so that..." + (show)
Profile picture for Lisa Lucier, Moderator @lisalucier

Hi, @seidholz - just wanted to let you know I moved your post here so that you could chat with others already discussing Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion surgery (ACDF) and recovery from this procedure:

- ACDF and recovery post-op? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/acdf-scheduled-for-wednesday/

Hoping others here can advise whether they also experienced lack of strength to the degree you have had it after the ACDF and whether they found or were advised of a way to accelerate the recovery of their strength. Please meet @birdman518 @gerred2024 @lebanon100 @grandma72 @gerred2024.

Have you been doing any physical therapy following your procedure? If so, has your physical therapist weighed in on your strength recovery in your arm?

Jump to this post

@lisalucier I was in PT for 6 months and found that I could do all the exercises at my gym.
It’s really frustrating because all the other muscle groups on my left side work fine- it’s just the C5 nerve segment that’s affected. Worked out today and I could do 25 lb curls on my right arm and 5 lb on my left

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