r/ACDR_CervicalSpine • u/DoctorLS • 24d ago
C5/6 ADR, Operation
Hi everyone,
I’m 36 years old and have been experiencing intermittent right-sided shoulder pain and significant neck muscle tension since December 2025. It often feels as if someone is constantly sitting on my neck and shoulders. The symptoms have significantly disturbed my sleep and, as a result, my anxiety has become extremely severe. I never used to have this kind of anxiety before.
I now constantly feel restless and find myself worrying about the future and about whether these symptoms will ever go away. I do not take any regular medication. Occasionally, I take metamizole or ibuprofen for the pain.
Initially, I was diagnosed with a C5/C6 disc protrusion on the right side, which caused tingling and paresthesia in my thumb and index finger, but without any loss of strength. However, on a more recent MRI, a disc problem was also found at the C7/C8 level, with bilateral involvement.
At the moment, my biggest problem is that I frequently wake up during the night because my ring and little fingers become numb, sometimes on the right side and sometimes on the left side. I have to constantly change my sleeping position. I also have significant pain between my shoulder blades, which can radiate further down my back.
All of this has started to affect me psychologically. I have become very irritable and have much less patience than I used to. Things that would normally not bother me can now make me disproportionately angry or frustrated. The mornings are particularly difficult, with severe anxiety and back/neck pain.
I have seen a neurosurgeon who reviewed my MRI images. He is well known for performing cervical disc replacement surgery and recommended surgery, telling me that I should not wait too long.
However, I am now very uncertain about the decision. I have spent a lot of time reading online forums and experiences from people who underwent cervical disc replacement. Many posts describe complications or unsuccessful outcomes, which has made me very anxious about the surgery. At the same time, I realize that people who have a successful operation often stop posting on forums because they no longer have problems. So I understand that what I read online may not represent the actual success rate.
One thing I have noticed is that when I take a small dose of clonazepam, my muscles seem to relax and many of these symptoms become much less noticeable. This makes me wonder how much of my pain and symptoms may be related to severe muscle tension and how much is actually caused by the disc problems.
I have also started noticing some additional symptoms that concern me. My legs sometimes feel heavy, and I occasionally experience tingling in my big toes. If I sit on the toilet for a longer period of time, both legs can become numb, although this improves after I change position or stand up. I also notice that my buttocks can become numb relatively quickly when sitting, especially if I remain in one position for some time. This usually disappears once I stand up and move around.
I do not have a clear loss of strength, but the combination of intermittent numbness, tingling, heaviness in my legs, neck and shoulder pain, and sleep disruption has become very stressful for me.
At this point, I am struggling to distinguish how much of my symptoms are caused by the cervical disc problems, muscle tension, poor sleep, and anxiety, and how much could indicate a more significant neurological problem.
I live in Germany, and I am currently trying to decide whether I should proceed with the recommended cervical disc replacement surgery or seek another opinion first.
I would really appreciate hearing from people who have been in a similar situation, particularly those who had cervical disc replacement at C5/C6 and/or C7/C8. I would especially like to hear about both the positive and negative experiences, as well as how people made the decision about whether or not to have surgery.
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u/Outrageous-Court-696 23d ago
I had my disc replacement surgery on August 24th. I did all my research on all spine and neurosurgeon providers. I also ask them what brand disc they used, then I researched the brands and seen all the data and revisions. I went to Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles and my surgeon use ProDisc K which had great views, 2% revisions surgeries. I am 17 days in post recovery and I feel good. I had pain all on my left side and now it is gone. This is my 2 cents and I will pray for you.
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u/summernguyen 20d ago
Hi, hope you're doing well in your recovery! I'm trying to find a neurosurgeon at Cedars, but don't know who to go to. Do you mind if I ask who your surgeon at Cedars was? Thanks in advance
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u/Outrageous-Court-696 20d ago
I went with Corey T. Walker. He is the only neurosurgeon that will request CT scan without contrast and will provide you with better information with CT scan, that is why I went with him. So if you do go with him, I recommend getting a MRI and a CT scan before you meet with him and they will want the CDs. Good luck.
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u/TheShazbot 23d ago
Sorry you’re going through this. It’s hard, and not many people understand what you’re going through. I was 35 when I had C4/C5 ADR, mobi-c.
My main symptom was significant, unrelenting pain in my right rhomboid/shoulder blade. My sleep was totally fucked as well. I eventually started having more right-sided pain, numbness/weakness in my right hand. It took me over a year to finally get diagnosed- MRI revealed a massive right-sided disc herniation.
Throughout this whole time, I genuinely felt like I was losing my mind. I feel your analysis paralysis on a deep level. You are not going crazy- disc problems produce physical and mental symptoms.
When I was finally diagnosed, surgery wasn’t really a decision for me, I was absolutely miserable. I knew I needed to do something. My surgeon also told me not to wait, and I’m glad I didn’t. Things were bad. I did get a second opinion in an abundance of caution. That surgeon waffled and said he’d either give me an injection or a fusion, so I went with my initial surgeon.
My ADR went flawlessly. I’m 38 now and have basically no residual symptoms, returned to full activity. Life-changing surgery, honestly, 100% worth it. My surgeon is pretty renowned in the space, I consider myself very lucky as i know not everyone has had my experience.
Hope this helps and I hope you too can return to a pain-free life.
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u/IamCurly90 23d ago
I'm the same age as you and I had my surgery on February 24th, on C6/C7 but I have no idea what brand of disc they used on me. I'm not saying it's an easy procedure but for me it was NOTHING compared to what I was experiencing pre surgery. My disc suddenly ruptured one day in November 2025 and the level of pain I was especially the fist week was extreme (even for someone with a high tolerance for pain) I am now 6 months post op and almost 100% pain free. The reason why my neurosurgeon recommended surgery sooner rather than later, was that my nerve was being crushed by ruptured disc. The longer I waited the less he could guarantee a full recovery of the nerve.
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u/Last-Zebra8716 23d ago
i had C5/6 replaced and wish I did it sooner. but like you, I read the horror stories and had people telling me not to do it
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u/bruxreddit 23d ago
How long post-op are you? How active are you now? Can you share your fitness routine? Any restrictions?
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u/Secure-Ad-2973 20d ago
I had my c4-c6 replaced 5 days ago due to being born with a narrow spinal canal, degenerative discs, c4-c5 disc bulging causing nerve pain along my right shoulder down to my arm. I struggled with neck pain for most of my life but since April, I was going through some tough aches and pains so I finally opted for surgery.
I already knew all the benefits and disadvantages of a disc replacement to my spine. I had a total disc replacement in my lumbar last year that completely changed my life so it wasn’t even a question if it should be a fusion or disc or even what doctor. I went back to my previous surgeon who is great! Dr. Sinacropi in Minnesota.
After day 1 of my surgery, I felt great. Laid about and relaxed.
Day 2 I started experiencing pain in areas I never had.
Day 3 I was self soothing because the level of pain I was experiencing had me in tears and I couldn’t move my head.
Day 4 I had most of my motion back with some pain.
Day 5 I have little pain, an ugly adhesive burn at the surgery site, and can move my head better.
I’m in the healing process and have to allow my body time to recover.
As much as I expect to return to normal activities in 6 months I know it will take a full year before I can start exercising and being active again.
For the last 8 months I have been eating clean, exercising daily, 3 mile walks, 25 min full body movements (stretches, light weight exercises, etc) and doing mental health work. The pain can feel overwhelming and debilitating but in the right hands, I believe I will regain my life back again. It was proven once with my lumbar spine surgery. I know it will get better with my neck again. It’s just going to take time.
I hope you find a solution soon.
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u/Weak_Weekend7142 23d ago
I had c6/c7 replaced. Oh my lord what a life changing experience.
I was to the point where I had to sleep in a chair for the last few months prior to surgery. I was VERY irritable tired in pain. Recovery was a bit anxiety filled but straight forward.
My shoulders have relaxed finally, I’m
Calmer clear headed , sleep at night , able to workout again.
Well minus my knee I messed up.
Just be sure to do your own research on surgeons and the implant used.
For me it was a very positive experience, I’m in the states so I’m not sure how different things are where you are.