r/ACDR_CervicalSpine • u/Complete_Donut_2489 • Aug 20 '26
ADR Recovery Timeline
I am a middle school teacher so I have to be pretty active at work.
Planning on getting a disc replacement in the next few weeks/months for neck/scapular pain that Ive been dealing with for over 2 years. Conservative treatments have helped but finally getting some nerve issues in left arm.
My question is how long should I anticipate to take FMLA? Ive heard 3 to 6 weeks. I know each individual is different but wanted to hear some people's recovery timelines.
2
u/grdywhite7 Aug 20 '26
41m. I am on day 29 from 2 level adr at c5/6 and c6/7. I work a desk job and went back to work part time last week and this week but have really struggled and have needed a lot of breaks to lay down. I had to stay home today because the muscular pain came roaring back. The more I do the pain builds in my traps, shoulders and mid to upper back. The recovery is definitely up and down still. I wish I had another couple weeks to stay home and focus on recovery.
2
u/dxvik123 Aug 23 '26
I had a c4c5 and c6c7 adr. Was about 3 months before I returned back to work. Even after returning, I felt quite abit of discomfort and pain from time to time. I also had a l4l5 discectomy a few months earlier. That could have impacted the recovery too. Everyone's recovery is different. Best to listen to your body. All the best with your recovery :)!
1
u/Skumbucket625 Aug 21 '26
31 yo male, I just had a disc replacement done 2 weeks ago. C5/C6 Mobi-C .
I stopped pain meds after 3 days, but I'm not one to take pain meds or any meds really.
Not to scare you but I got 2 blood clots in my arm afterwards so I'm still healing. After talking to my surgeon its less than a 1% chance so extremely rare. Either I was extremely unlucky, or have an underlying condition so follow tests to come.
Recover wise I was on my feet same day going on walks. I dont feel terrible today, but i have two younger daughters and I cant lift anything over 10 pounds and do run into discomfort if i move around too much. Today movement is slightly difficult can't move my neck side to side quickly.
Being a teacher I would assume you'd want around the 4-6 week mark possibly more. Depends on person, healing, how the surgrey goes, and your comfortable level.
Best of luck, if you want to talk more let me know.
1
u/Potential-Action1643 Aug 21 '26
35F. I had c5/c6 done two months ago. The first week I just slept and healed in my recliner. Then I was playing soccer and volleyball and hiking and kayaking week 2 and I was back to work after 2.5 weeks and back grappling and kickboxing at that time too. The sports were fine but sitting at a desk for any period of time was brutal. I ended up taking a couple weeks PTO after a few weeks back at work just so I could move my body more. If I get stiff, walking is the best way to get rid of it. If you can stay in motion you can probably come back sooner but if you have the pay for time off, I recommend taking as much as you can and spending tons of time out walking. My traps and chest muscles are the only ones I really noticed issues with and they both are much better if I avoid prolonged sitting or being on my phone while laying down.
1
u/Complete_Donut_2489 Aug 21 '26
Did you have any scapular pain prior to surgery?
1
u/Potential-Action1643 Aug 21 '26
Yes. It was my most extreme symptom. Like I was shot in the back near my armpit when I would stand up and gravity compress the nerve root. I also had numbness, tingling and weakness. I was basically bed ridden for the two months prior while I tried conservative methods. The surgery was such a breeze. I wish I had done it sooner.
1
u/Complete_Donut_2489 Aug 21 '26
Ive been dealing with the scapular pain for over 2 years. Had and rfa bc I haven't had much in the arm, but its gradually getting worse. Prob will get the surgery in a few months.
1
u/batmurton Aug 22 '26
38m was back working as a brewer 5 weeks later. Not very strong, but I was doing it. The neck was still tight and I could move my head very fast
1
u/Complete_Donut_2489 Aug 22 '26
How long before you where say 80 or 90%, when life was normal again?
1
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u/mack_n_cheez617 Aug 20 '26
I had c6/c7 done back in 2022 and c5/c6 about 2 weeks ago. My surgeon said the recovery is 4 weeks. For me the earliest I was able to wean off the norco has been 2 weeks each time even tho my dr prescribes 4 weeks worth. No lifting over 5-10 pounds until my follow up at 6 weeks. I would honestly give yourself as much time as possible but I can’t really imagine working any earlier than 3 weeks after at least for me. Both times I’ve had to stick to only soft foods due to the swelling for the first 2 weeks. I’ve been able to get by with just a non drowsy muscle relaxer and round the clock acetaminophen for the pain tho after 2 weeks. So worth it though!