My ACDF surgery (removal of C7, bone and spacer w/screws put in place) was last Wednesday, July 17th. I understood all went well. I stayed one night in the hospital, with IV painkillers, Tylenol and antibiotics, etc. and then went home, my choice, on Thursday afternoon. At home I've been on 2 Tylenol every 4 hours around the clock, and now I've changed it to 2 Tylenol every 5 hours. I haven't felt any pain since the surgery.
I haven't seen anyone mentioning, in these posts, that they're wearing a neck brace post surgery. I had one put on while I was still in recovery, and have been told to wear it 24/7 for 6 weeks. (I do get to take it off for brief 'breaks', however, and also for changing my dressings on my neck incision.) Six weeks will be a long time for the brace, but it should help the 'inside' fuse and heal faster, I've been told. My first appointment with my orthopedic surgeon is set for 6 weeks from the date of my surgery.
I'm definitely taking it easy at home, post surgery, as I pretty much have zero energy. I'm answering texts, going for an occasional walk, taking naps...and caring for my cat. My son (now caretaker) is able to be with me for 2 weeks and is doing an incredible job. (Note: I'm 80, will be 81 soon.)
I feel good as far as my surgery recovery is concerned. I have my first appointment with the orthopedic surgeon this coming Tuesday, along with my first x-ray. So hoping all is well with the healing inside my neck, too. Thank you for asking.
Hi. This is Meg. I also had this surgery July 30th with C4-5 removed. I am doing fairly well but not up to par. I have my 6 week check up in about 2 weeks and will have an x-ray the same day. The surgery went well but there was a ligament that was thickened and a little harder to pull aside and my bones were much softer than he expected. It's hard for me because I have to stay away from antiinflammatories for healing to occur. I think that's for the first 3 months. I did clean house today for the first time since surgery. I have fibromyalgia, scleroderma, sjogrens, & vasculitis, just to name a few.
Hi. This is Meg. I also had this surgery July 30th with C4-5 removed. I am doing fairly well but not up to par. I have my 6 week check up in about 2 weeks and will have an x-ray the same day. The surgery went well but there was a ligament that was thickened and a little harder to pull aside and my bones were much softer than he expected. It's hard for me because I have to stay away from antiinflammatories for healing to occur. I think that's for the first 3 months. I did clean house today for the first time since surgery. I have fibromyalgia, scleroderma, sjogrens, & vasculitis, just to name a few.
Thanks for your reply, Meg. I’m glad to hear both of you are healing, although maybe not as well as you wanted. I can’t take anti inflammatory meds at all, really.
I’ve done some reading to learn the best way forward for me. With Modic changes mentioned on my mri report, I think I will try the ablation. PT did not help, only made me hurt more. It did strengthen some of my muscles.
But if the ablation doesn’t help I’m going to move forward and ask for surgery. It’s really about quality of life, I am so restricted in my activities with this pain.
Thanks for your input and sharing your experiences!
Hi. I had ACDF in 2020 ( failure) and in July I had PCFD to correct C3-6. Fun times. Injections of any type do not work on me and PT didn’t help; I was in so much pain with nerve pain shooting down my arm. It hats better now. But man do I despise this neck brace. 6-8 weeks feels like an eternity. Then PT. Again. Good luck
Hi. I had ACDF in 2020 ( failure) and in July I had PCFD to correct C3-6. Fun times. Injections of any type do not work on me and PT didn’t help; I was in so much pain with nerve pain shooting down my arm. It hats better now. But man do I despise this neck brace. 6-8 weeks feels like an eternity. Then PT. Again. Good luck
What is PCFD?
I have some nerve pain down my arm and a little in some of my fingers that come and go. I recently had emg testing for that and it came back normal.
I don’t know what that signifies in relation to the damage the MRI test shows.
What is PCFD?
I have some nerve pain down my arm and a little in some of my fingers that come and go. I recently had emg testing for that and it came back normal.
I don’t know what that signifies in relation to the damage the MRI test shows.
Thanks for your reply, Meg. I’m glad to hear both of you are healing, although maybe not as well as you wanted. I can’t take anti inflammatory meds at all, really.
I’ve done some reading to learn the best way forward for me. With Modic changes mentioned on my mri report, I think I will try the ablation. PT did not help, only made me hurt more. It did strengthen some of my muscles.
But if the ablation doesn’t help I’m going to move forward and ask for surgery. It’s really about quality of life, I am so restricted in my activities with this pain.
Thanks for your input and sharing your experiences!
You are very welcome. I have had this neck pain since 1987 and all other measures had been tried. Now it had gotten to the point where I was having radiculopathy. There was much impingement. It was time to do something more. Now I just be patient, do what the doctor says and wait.
Yep, but the screws didn't hold so three 3 weeks later they had to go in from the posterior and stick a big ole rod down my back. The anterior surgery was amazing. They didn't know my bones were soft.
Don't go the surgery route until you've tried Myofascial Release Release Therapy.
I would have needed the surgery anyway. I did everything except the MRF. The pain did not go away with surgery so I still have to deal with myofascial-muscular problems. I no longer have radiating pain down my back and my posture is amazing. (whose wouldn't be with a big ole rod stuck in their neck!
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How are you feeling now, after your cervical surgery in July? I hope you’re continuing to heal and feel better!
I feel good as far as my surgery recovery is concerned. I have my first appointment with the orthopedic surgeon this coming Tuesday, along with my first x-ray. So hoping all is well with the healing inside my neck, too. Thank you for asking.
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2 ReactionsHi. This is Meg. I also had this surgery July 30th with C4-5 removed. I am doing fairly well but not up to par. I have my 6 week check up in about 2 weeks and will have an x-ray the same day. The surgery went well but there was a ligament that was thickened and a little harder to pull aside and my bones were much softer than he expected. It's hard for me because I have to stay away from antiinflammatories for healing to occur. I think that's for the first 3 months. I did clean house today for the first time since surgery. I have fibromyalgia, scleroderma, sjogrens, & vasculitis, just to name a few.
Thanks for your reply, Meg. I’m glad to hear both of you are healing, although maybe not as well as you wanted. I can’t take anti inflammatory meds at all, really.
I’ve done some reading to learn the best way forward for me. With Modic changes mentioned on my mri report, I think I will try the ablation. PT did not help, only made me hurt more. It did strengthen some of my muscles.
But if the ablation doesn’t help I’m going to move forward and ask for surgery. It’s really about quality of life, I am so restricted in my activities with this pain.
Thanks for your input and sharing your experiences!
Hi. I had ACDF in 2020 ( failure) and in July I had PCFD to correct C3-6. Fun times. Injections of any type do not work on me and PT didn’t help; I was in so much pain with nerve pain shooting down my arm. It hats better now. But man do I despise this neck brace. 6-8 weeks feels like an eternity. Then PT. Again. Good luck
What is PCFD?
I have some nerve pain down my arm and a little in some of my fingers that come and go. I recently had emg testing for that and it came back normal.
I don’t know what that signifies in relation to the damage the MRI test shows.
Oh, sorry, posterior cervical fusion discectomy
You are very welcome. I have had this neck pain since 1987 and all other measures had been tried. Now it had gotten to the point where I was having radiculopathy. There was much impingement. It was time to do something more. Now I just be patient, do what the doctor says and wait.
Yep, but the screws didn't hold so three 3 weeks later they had to go in from the posterior and stick a big ole rod down my back. The anterior surgery was amazing. They didn't know my bones were soft.
Don't go the surgery route until you've tried Myofascial Release Release Therapy.
I would have needed the surgery anyway. I did everything except the MRF. The pain did not go away with surgery so I still have to deal with myofascial-muscular problems. I no longer have radiating pain down my back and my posture is amazing. (whose wouldn't be with a big ole rod stuck in their neck!
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