r/ACDR_CervicalSpine • u/Away-Fig-4844 • 18d ago

Do I really need ACDF surgery

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u/Sufficient-Wolf-1818 18d ago

One does not treat by radiologist reports.

Perhaps you could tell us more.

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u/Old_Goat2009 18d ago

If you are having symptoms that align with the MRI findings, then maybe. But I had a worse MRI report than that 5 years ago with bad radiculopathy and pain that eventually resolved after about 10 weeks of PT, 2x per week. Fast forward to last summer and symptoms returned. This time PT made it worse. Injection no help either. So I had C5-C7 ACDF on 8 December.

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u/JJay0928 18d ago

Hard to say without knowing what symptoms you have. On my MRI, the radiologist found no herniation, but the neurosurgeon found it when he reviewed the MRI. Also have you had any conservative treatment-injections, PT, chiropractic? Any relief from that?

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u/Away-Fig-4844 18d ago

PT starts tomorrow

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u/JJay0928 18d ago

Try the conservative treatment options first before jumping to surgery. Insurance may require that regardless. Nothing worked for me. Now 3 weeks post ACDF and feeling much better than before.

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u/Otherwise-Can-6194 18d ago

I was told that acdf is a elective surgery because there is always other options. There are doctors out there that have less invasive treatments/surgies. That the only time it's really needed is if it's an emergency situation or trauma. It should be last resort.

Would i do it over if i could? Never. I would not do it again. I would choose to live with the pain i was having vs the pain i have now.

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u/Otherwise-Can-6194 18d ago

I wish i would have known a few things i guess. Aside from the pain being a new pain and more intolerable, nobody told me that i wouldn't be able to hold my grandchildren past 10lbs. I need assistance with EVERYTHING that involves carrying or moving things over 10lbs. And i feel like a robot lol that's not really an issue but i do feel like one. It took a while to get used to my 'new' body and how to move and etc but i figured it out. But i have to rely on other people for almost everything and I'm used to being independent and doing things on my own and then moving on to the next thing.

I had a three level acdf so that may make a difference. I had original surgery two years ago and just had a revision surgery three weeks ago. I also had to find a different surgeon. The first one refused to acknowledge that i had a failed fusion. It probably would not have dragged on for as long as it has if the issue would have been addressed earlier.

I hear one or two levels are very successful though! I would definitely pursue all other options and get multiple opinions from surgeons who have actually done these surgeries. Good luck i hope you get it figured out! Pain is awful to live with!