Life After ACDF (Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion)
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- Опубліковано 12 лип 2021
- Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is a surgical procedure to remove a herniated or degenerative disc in the neck. The total recovery time is 4 to 6 weeks.
Medical staff will help you to get comfortable while preparing for long-term recovery at home.
The walk is recommended every 2 or 3 hours to prevent pneumonia, blood clots, and constipation. Wear shirts with zippers or buttons up the front, rather than one that goes on over the head. Avoid tilting, twisting, or moving your neck too quickly. The shower can be taken 2 to 3 days post-surgery.
You should get to bed early and get at least 8 hours of sleep each night. You can sleep in a recliner or an adjustable bed. Sleeping on the side or back is recommended instead of sleeping on the stomach.
Sexual activity is usually allowed after 3 weeks, as long as it doesn’t cause discomfort. Check with the doctor before starting any exercise.
You can do some light work around the home after 3 weeks. Taking breaks and rest is important if fatigue develops.
You can return to work as early as 3 weeks after surgery. You can begin driving after 3 to 4 weeks.
For treatment assistance in your country or abroad:
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Useful Links:
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I love it when informative videos blow out my speakers with generic super saw synth tunes.
41 year old male at the time of injury. C4, 5, & 6, herniated and were trapped in the spinal column crushing the spinal cord to only 20% of its normal thickness in two sections. This caused multiple regions of numbness, paralysis of major muscle groups all over the body at random intervals with the feeling of almost electrical shocks at other times depending on shifting pressure on the spinal cord, loss of hand and ankle function, almost total inability to coordinated muscle function to walk or hold up body weight (210 lbs), breathing difficulties, loss of bladder and bowel function, sexual disfunction, tremendous loss of muscle mass over short amount of time.
Fusion and discectomy resulted in some immediate improvement; regained bowel and bladder function, breathing and mobility improved, some coordination improvement. I was able to walk with cane vs a walker. Six and a half months of PT to be able to drive and return to work, then only 170 lbs. Two and a half years later I have recovered about 70% of my post injury functionality. I can no longer run, my knees immediately collapse if I attempt anything over a brisk walking pace, its as if the signal cannot register in my legs fast enough to coordinate at speed. My hands still ache all the time and I feel as if I am fighting rubber bands when opening and closing my fingers. Walking is still stilted and can lack fluidity of movement, on especially bad days I still use a cane. Rising from a sitting position causes muscle spasms throughout the body (especially clonus in the lower legs) and locking of muscle groups which only release after forcing them to move over a distance of about ten meters.
Location and direction of disc herniation makes all the difference, if it is to the sides of the spine, recovery may be this fast, if it is directly into the spinal column or against the cord itself recovery can/will be much slower and some damage may be permanent as it was in my case. My neurosurgeon described it as furniture on a Berber carpet: the furniture leaves an indentation in the carpet, just as the pressure leaves an indentation in the spinal cord. Over time the carpet regains most of its original shape, as will the spinal cord, but if the pressure was there long enough or strongly enough the indentation and damage will never fully go away. Such is my case. Whatever doesn't return after about 18 months is likely gone for good.
Hey Jason, you are the only person I have seen, very similar to my case. It took me 3.5months to diagnose the numbness was from the neck injury before I had an immediate surgery. I have suffered in major numbness, inching, coldness, sharp needle pain, stressed days and nights i barely can sleep neither in last 6 yrs. I quit my job 6 months ago, started higher physical training and injectable of Mecobalamin, hope it can improve. I’m an optimistic guy still trying everything to get back.
My surgeon said I could return to normal activities (non-strenuous) after about a week. He also said as long as I'm off any opioid pain killers, I could drive whenever I felt like it. I should be able to go back to playing golf in about 3 months, but I could start lite exercise (walking) almost right away.
I had C4-5-6 fusion. I drove after 1 week, could have been sooner but I was trying to be kind to myself. Easiest surgery I ever had. 1 night in hospital and no opiods for pain when I went home (they cause migraines). One of my easiest surgeries. 6 years out, I can tell I've lost some range of motion, and finding the perfect pillow(s) has been a challenge. The backup camera on the car is awesome.
I had mine on May 13th 2022 at 8am and didn’t have any swallowing issues or pain. It’s now Tues and I feel good other than some numbness in two fingers. I woke up and was starving so I ate Panera Bread Turkey club and chunks of lemon pepper chicken. I believe the only part I hate is changing the bandage lol. The reason for my surgery was loss of left arm movement and half my muscle mass, arm pain and now just time to heal and see if I can regain some movement
Hiranyama?
You just need another spinal fusion 😊
How many levels was your surgery though. I'm guessing just one or two then?
Strange , my Dr says 3 months light duty, 6 to 8 months full release from Dr
My mom is having this surgery and spine surgery next Friday
Had mine done three months ago best op ever don't think about it to much get it done
I had mine done almost 3 months ago and it didn’t relieve my symptoms but only caused problems with my throat
@@anthonymacaluso2671 sorry bro, share details if you want.
Still coping after 3 months post surgery. Still lack range of motion from left to right and up and down.
This more closely resembles back surgery. I've had both and the ACDF recovery is nothing as described. After the surgery I was thrown a neck brace and told Adios.
Right, but I went home without a neck brace! Boy the advances in technology and the practice of medicine!!
@@Thefixer123 I was never instructed on how to use the neck brace so I just threw it in the closet.
Same except just had my post op appt and they gavr me some big ass radio frequency necklace or something I gotta wear 4 hrs a day for 9mos to help with the fusion. Thanks lady in a mail truck for ruining my life!
@@murphy874 I’ve had my first visit and it was nothing like that. All they did was uncover the incision and said it looked good and sent me home. I have another appointment June 5 where the doctor will go over everything and check my fusion.
@Thefixer123 hmm wild! I was fitted for a Miami j collar at pre op and had to bring it with me to surgery I am currently typing this with it on and I have another 2ish weeks until they told me to wean off of it
Im scheduled in 2 weeks, I have 4 children all school age with no help. Im looking for tips to make day easier. Im thinking to cook food and freeze in advance etc. for me have veggies and fruits to liquify, cleaning and laundry will go to high hell.
❤️
how u feel now?
My nerve pain was gone had it 3 years gone right after surgery but I’m wondering how long this acdf will last like does this need to be redone also how does this effect any future injuries suppose I’m in another car accident will this thing crack?
If it cracks you can just get more spine fusion 😊
I went home next day with almost no instructions. No real idea what they did and Im.still having issues with my arm 2 weeks later.
lmao
fuck, sorry bro
I'm 61 had c3,4,5 compressing into my spine, I'm 6 weeks post surgery, still have swallowing issues, very limited neck movements.
6 weeks for me as well, arm pain and numbness to fingers still present, getting frustrated
I feel like a robot. Very painful. Worse then labor. C3,4,5,6 had done. Still uncomfortable after two months. Pain lasted a month. I wish I wouldn't have had it done. Still uncomfortable. They told me if I didn't get it done I could become paralyzed. Whatever.Thank you Tylenol and oxycodone Wich I never took in my life!What will happen if we ever fall?!😢
It would take a major accident or an aggressive spinal manipulation to wreck this device as I understand. I just met with Mayfield clinic with a client and I needed to know her post care.
Are you doing better now that you're 3 weeks out? Still wish you didn't do it?
6 weeks post surgery, level 3, c4-c7, arm pain and numbness still present. Drugs are helping a small amount but unable to dress myself until I am up for about 2 hours. This is getting depressing!
I’m a 55 y/o woman. I had C4-5 issues since the late 90s but with PT periodically I was able to be moderately active up until about 6 months ago (renovated my home mostly by myself in 2020- paint, wallpaper, drywall, and some light construction). However, I began to notice increasing pain, new onset numbness and tingling in my right arm and shoulder pain. I asked my PCP for X-rays of my shoulder thinking I needed an injection for arthritis. I mentioned it had been a while on neck pictures as well so could we add those in? We got them and she said it was my neck not my shoulder causing my issues. I’d had new changes in nearly every cervical disk with increased spondyolythesis at 4-5 and bulging at 5-6.
I went back to PT thinking it would fix me as usual; but after 6 weeks, despite being stronger, I still had pain and numbness. I had my C4-5/5-6 done on Monday (it’s Friday now ). I stayed overnight because I felt more comfortable that way but was offered the opportunity to go home day of surgery. I ate actual food Monday and thought “wow, this is great!” Lol the swelling arrived overnight. I had broth Tuesday and changed to mashed potatoes Wednesday. I have been able to start on scrambled eggs today and am able to drink water, and sip on soft drinks and other liquids.
I’ve had no numbness/tingling at all and my pain is mostly muscular (I was expecting bone pain). I have had no nausea or itching. I walk without a cane or other supportive device. I didn’t even get a neck brace. I am sleeping in my regular bed. My biggest complaint is the clear adhesive dressing that is glued to my skin. It’s not tegaderm, but is some sort of bandage applied that will just dissolve and fall off gradually over the next few weeks. It pulls the skin when I move and bothers me.
I can drive once I’m no longer on narcotics and feel comfortable moving my head in the car.
Seeing videos like this had me terrified! I was so anxious and afraid Monday morning I couldn’t sleep at all the night before. While I realize everyone is different, I cannot imagine having a recovery like this in this day and age.
Thank you for your comment; I need it! I was told I needed C4-5 and C5-6 fusion in 2016. My reason for the MRI then was chronic migraines. When I asked if this surgery would stop my migraines, they said NO, so I didn't have it done. Now my neck has had increased burning, continued migraines, pain and burning in left shoulder and down to elbow, top of hand. It's intolerable, very hard to sleep even with my many type of pillows and ice packs. MRI shows posterior osteophyte complex surrounding those vertebrae and poking into spinal cord.
Obviously I have to suck it up and trust the doctors not to paralyze me. I worked for doctors and surgeons for 40 years, not a lot of faith there after seeing so many errors. I'm worried.
clearly you've never had this surgery!
Total? BS! It was 6 months before the pain was gone and over a year before I thought the surgery worthwhile.
You might need a new spine fusion?😊
I don’t understand why use this horrible music,this gives me chills I am about to have this surgery and this music is like a nightmare.
I'm about 13 days post op and my right shoulder blade/arm were a big issue as well as constantly dropping things due to having a disc heavily pushing on my spinal cord accompanied by bone spurs.As soon as I woke up I could instantly feel that my shoulder pains were gone instantly. So far so good and I'm excited to see what I feel like once the surgery pains are gone. Good luck to you!!
The information presented here is not the way it happens. Do your own research and speak to the surgeon to get the real skinny.
Return to work after 3 weeks? I was back in the office and teaching 6 days later.
Thats awesome to hear!I am curious how many vertebrae did you have fused?My wife is having 5 cervical vertebrae fused as I am writing this.
@@sacredsounds4234 I only had one done, C3/4 I need to eventually get C6/7 done as well, but it can wait for a bit. The biggest issue I have is just the plate rubbing up against my esophagus, it feels like I have a frog in my throat. The benefits FAR outweigh that bit of annoyance.
@@aurktman1106 I have the same problem with the esophagus. I'm having the plate removed soon. Once the area is fully fused the plate and screws are no longer needed.
@@sacredsounds4234 How's she doing? 5 vertebrae is alot. Which ones? I had 3 fused and still suffering 3 months later.
@@lawrencefil5 I’m at the point now where I don’t notice it. I do have some muscle pain still in the sides of my neck, but minor and infrequent.
Chess either
November 3rd will be 1 year post op c-4 to c-6 with c-5 corpectomy. Recovery has been incredibly difficult. Seemed better initially but pain has been returning recently. Also terrible anxiety since before surgery. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
I am 28 and I had one around June last year. For first four months was extremely difficult. But after exactly 4 mo things started to improve exponentially. From around October I could walk total 3 kms to and fro my work. Now I can do most of my work but the stiffness comes and goes. The pain has been minimum something you can deal with.
For anxiety my doctors initially gave me some steriodal anti depressants at the initial stage of recovery and gradually decreased the doses then stopped. It helped me manage with anxiety. My surgery was very smooth and the recovery process was very well planned out by the doctor team.
You can online consult Dr. Siddhartha Ghosh, HOD Neurosurgery, Apollo Chennai. He is a God in this field.
I went home same day and I’m still having muscle spasms in my throat
How are you now?
@@certifiedrhodess356 nobody ever answers..
I got a herniated disc maybe two of them in my neck I’m getting surgery I’m not sure what it is I think it’s acdf I’m gonna ask him if he could put a rubber disc in but can someone tell me will I be able to move my neck after surgery I have no choice I have to get the surgery because I have constant toothache pain running down my arms and back and I won’t go away for months but I don’t want to lose mobility can someone tell me what’s going to happen to me I have no choice I have to get it
I had it done and you won't lose mobility. Physical therapy should help. but be patient with recovery. It takes months to regain 80-100% mobility maybe even a year, but don't despair. You will get it back.
@@myrnaalayan780 God bless you For taking your time out to answer me there’s no better information than people who have done it and I have to do it I’m so sick I have 24 hours aching pain arms and back dizzy nauseous feel confused feel like I’m in a fog
@@MMAGUY13 how are you doing after surgery
@@wykeyamiles2 still waiting they approve the fusion then when I want to get it switched to artificial disc they denied it and now my lawyer might take it to the compensation judge to order them to pay for that it makes no sense why they won’t approve the artificial disc surgery when they approved the fusion but thank you so much for asking so kind of you
@@wykeyamiles2 it is November 14 I had cervical disc replacement on the 10th it was supposed to be 2 disc replaced but the surgeon had problems my nerves singles got lost so we had to end the operation early only one got replaced so I’m hoping for the best the one he replace takes away the pain but thank you for asking I feel like I lost some mobility in my neck and I’m still in pain but I’m hoping it’s going away in the next six weeks
What about collar how many hours patient should wear a collar per 24 hours??
I heard you should take collar off every 5hrs. I’m having this surgery on may 19th
I had C4 through C7 done with full cage with fusion back in June 2017. I was in my collar full time till October. It was horrible. I now need to have surgery again on August 9th 2022 for now they say C3 to C5 is bad. Not sure if they will replace the whole cage or just add a new top piece. I just know it's not fun. I also lost weight as I was on a liquid diet for a month and both arms and hands were numb. Buy lots of bendy straws and jello and take the upright toilet and walker if they give it to you as you will need it lol
I live 24/7 in collar, 6 weeks out, was told 10 -12 weeks. Friend (Doctor) told me the collar is your best friend, keep it with you for at least one year until fusion is totally healed. To use it when your neck gets "tired" or painful. Keep it going per Surgeon's order, they know what they are doing.
I never played a game of Golf in my Lifetime . have other things to go with the rest of life
Have rods and screws cover like 6 inches from neck to upper back and I’m 2 months in feels like there’s no hope to being the man I once was lmao just cooking spaghetti was a bitch
I think you are never the same again.. but we have settle for the new version nonetheless
You got spine fusion? 😅
Crappy music unbearable.
And I thought elevator music was bad. This sounds like German synth musician I like, but i had to stop watching. Still debating with myself about surgery.
The spine fusion make u feel good 😊
Has anybody cracked their neck 1 yr after surgery
How did that happen?
I am 1 year into it and your question makes me a bit scared
Please reply
I wanted to know if anybody has gotten a neck adjustment after having ACDF Surgery
If you go to chiropractor, you get new spine fusion 😊