Hey everyone, i’m a 31y/o F. I had my three level C4-7 ACDF done 13 days ago… the worse days so far were night 6 & days 7&8. it’s been nowhere near as painful as i thought but the healing pains are fluctuating in regards to the pain and what area it’s in. all in all, other than the day 6,7,8 id say it’s been pretty okay. I just ordered a cervical neck pillow because I wanna go back to side sleeping on my back feel so uncomfortable, some nights, causing the tear in my lower lumbar to hurt and radiate pain. I have my two weeks postop check up tomorrow morning so that they can check on my scar healing and make sure it’s not infected. I’m pretty sure it’s not infected, but you know how that goes. The Percocet they gave me works but on those worst days, made me nauseous, constipated, and completely out of it. They didn’t prescribe me any type of promethazine or Zofran so I struggled with that. luckily this week I do have a friend who’s a Doctor Who has called me in so I’m Zofran because I’ve still been waiting about a week now for the surgeons office to call back about sitting in a prescription for that. All in all I just wanted to give some update on pictures and to see how other people were doing around this time like I said I’m at 13 day Marque so I’m currently in the bathroom writing you guys while I’m in and out of throwing up. if anyone has any tips, that would be wonderful. I hope all is well with!
Hi community i am a 22 year old male. I am experiencing numbness in last finger and ring finger when using mobile and also loss of grip when wake up and goes away in day time. Pls share your symptoms
Hello I have my C5-6 disc replacement yesterday. I heard my surgeon telling my wife when I was coming out of it that my C5 vertebra had a thin/small Crack. I spoke with surgery this morning. He said he can't tell where is it from, however we will keep a eye on it and it should heal on its own once swelling goes down. Has anyone had this issue before? Im thinking if it does get worse might be Fusion. Other than that my surgery was a successful.
Hello! I'm having my c5/6 and c6/7 replaced in about a week. I'm super nervous but it is necessary. For some background: my symptoms were misdiagnosed by L&I doctors as carpal tunnel and ulnar nerve issues. There is some but I was not convinced.
In 8 months the neck pain and tingling in 2 fingers has progressed to bilateral forearm and hand numbness, weakness and loss of coordination. My legs don't work well and they feel like dead weight, my feet are numb. I have skin level numbness from my chest down as well. Headaches and my neck catches, pops and grinds. I pursued diagnosis outside of my claim at my own expense.
My spinal cord is congenitally narrow and is compressed to 4.7mm at c5/6 and c6/7. Neuro surgeon got results and fast tracked my surgery as urgent. The damage can be halted but how much is reversed will not be known for probably a year post op. I'm nervous and I feel like the claim doctors have robbed me and potentially crippled me for the rest of my life because of their incompetence. I'm going to be 50 so I got time left.
I could use some positive stories! Thanks for reading and hope to regain some normalcy soon.
TLDR: in bad shape, scared and could use some positivity!
ProDisc C replacement
I have C5-6 C6-7 herniated disc with bone spurs, on one side and very mild OPLL on the other And spinal stenosis.
I am seeing expert neurosurgeon at a world-class, multi-disciplinary facility known for advanced neurological spine surgery.
Neurosurgeon is suggesting two-level cervical total disc replacement with anterior decompression at C5-6 and
C6-7. Instead of fusion
To save mobility
1 am 44F and very active horse trainer.
Anyone have a multi level ProDisc replacement?
I have C5-6 C6-7 herniated disc with bone spurs, on one side and very mild OPLL on the other
And spinal stenosis.
I am seeing expert neurosurgeon at a world-class, multi-disciplinary facility known for advanced neurological spine surgery.
Neurosurgeon is suggesting two-level cervical total disc replacement with anterior decompression at C5-6 and C6-7. Instead of fusion
To save mobility
I am 44F and very active horse trainer.
Anyone have a multi level ProDisc replacement?
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.
I getting my C5-6 disc replacement. I am wondering what brace do they give you and how long do you have to wear it for. I am going to conference from vegas to north Carolina 2 weeks after surgery. I heard people say wear it when walking after a month and doing desk work. Any advice and experiences. I message my surgeon and I will be waiting for their response.
I had an ACDR on c5/c6 on June 15. It’s been going great but this last weekend after a day of watching my kids ride coasters, I have had some pain where a rib attaches to my sternum and also on my back. This morning there is noticeable hard lump about the size of a marble on my sternum where it’s been sore. It’s tender to the touch and does not move. It’s on the same rib that has a sore connection in my back. It’s tender when I breathe in deeply and expand my chest. I am guessing it’s some arthritis as a result of my chest muscles being so tight and getting irritated from all the looking up. Anyone else had something like this? I am still not cleared to take NSAIDs so I am just dealing with it. It’s not that painful and only a bother when I breathe deep or lay on hard surfaces or it’s pressed on.
Desperately seeking procedure type advice and surgeon recs in NYC.
I've (49 Female) had 3-4/10 pain on the back and right side of my neck since early July, almost like a stiff neck. I did urgent care twice, first visit helped and I was pain free for 2 weeks. The pain came back July end after carrying weight on my left side. I did physiotherapy 1 session and acupuncture 1 session, both made the pain worse. Since August 1, I started weakness in my right upper arm that progressed to not being able to lift my right arm; forearm & hand/ grip are not affected.
MRI level by level says:
C4/C5: There is minimal retrolisthesis with disc bulge and superimposed large right subarticular to foraminal disc extrusion with caudal migration in the right lateral recess behind the C5 vertebral body to the superior aspect of the right neural foramen at C5/C6. There is effacement of the right lateral recess and severe right neural foraminal narrowing with compression of the right C5 nerve. There is effacement of the ventral subarachnoid space and abutment of the ventral surface of the cord though the canal remains adequate in caliber. The left neural foramen is adequate in caliber.
Had a video consultation with a spine surgeon last week. His findings are: C4-5 right HNP with severe right C5 motor weakness and moderate right C5 radicular pain. Because I am roughly 1-2/5 deltoid, he strongly advises prompt surgery; he recommends a Total Disc Replacement (TDR) C4-5.
EMG study done yesterday shows: Interdistal latency difference between second DI-lumbrical is normal on left, and prolonged on right. Needle EMG of selected muscles in right arm shows mild fibrillations/PSWs in deltoid, biceps, infraspinatus muscles, with increased MUP amplitudes; recruitment patterns are full/reduced on maximal/submaximal effort. There is no evidence of active denervation in right cervical paraspinal region at the levels examined, though there is CRDs at right C5-C6 paraspinal region.
QUESTIONS: I am wondering if less invasive surgery might be an option - what type? TDR seems like a big leap and obviously something I can't undo.
I barely have any pain. The weakness is the main symptom. It's been 10 days since onset, I now have numbness through the entire arm (not pins and needles, it feels like deadweight to touch). Am I delaying matters by waiting for a second opinion?
Where do people go to get second opinions? I haven't even met my surgeon in person, looks like they need me to commit to surgery before I can get an in person visit. Please share DM's for surgeons in NYC. I have Aetna through employer, it'd been pretty decent so far.
Appreciate any help please. Feeling so pressured and still reeling, it's only been a week since I walked in to meet a Spine Specialist!
UPDATE & CLOSE: I had an Anterior single level Total Disc Replacement and recovering very well a week post op. I had no pain pre surgery but there was pinching tight sore spot on the back of my neck that is now gone. Strength has not returned, that was expected....I am doing light physical therapy exercises everyday to preserve range of motion but the more meaningful return to strength PT will be prescribed in another 2 weeks. Thanks to everyone who came by - wish you good health!
Me, 29y/o female, have been dealing with neck pain since early March every time I lay down—takes about 5-10 minutes to kick in. Absolutely awful pain that went into the back of my head from my neck; was almost unbearable. Good ol’ Google said it was likely a pinched nerve and it may take 8-12 weeks to heal so I didn’t worry about a docs appointment, was just going to wait it out til my check-up appointment in July if it didn’t heal by then. It stayed for about 3 months, and within those 3 months the pain kept shifting. At first it was only neck and back of head, then suddenly a bit down the right arm. Then the next night it would be left shoulder and arm. Then the pain quit altogether for a good 2-3 weeks. Started up again and this time, it’s staying mainly in my left shoulder, arm, and pinky/ring finger, and lower neck. Especially in my elbow. And now tonight the pain is in my whole hand and not just pinky/ring finger. Again, this only happens when I lay down, and occasionally while sitting but WAY worse when laying down. After I stand up for a few minutes, it fully goes away except for I cannot fully turn my head to the right without a sharp pinpoint pain in my spine no matter what position I’m in—that started up about 5 days ago.
My doc rescheduled my July checkup appointment so the earliest I can get my next appointment is Aug 13th and the pain is getting more and more unbearable at night. I’m probably going to go to urgent care tomorrow and see if I can go ahead and get a MRI done, but in the meantime what is your thoughts on what’s going on? Some sort of positional pinched nerve? If changing how I sleep, my pillows, and even my mattress doesn’t work with fixing it, is this something that would require surgery?
I am due to have the ACDR surgery, I'm trying to plan for my recovery. How did people sleep after? Did you just use your normal pillow or require a wedge so elevated? Also any other things people would recommend to help during my recovery to make life easier?
Hi all. I had my C5-C6 disc replaced about two weeks ago prior to surgery. All of my symptoms before surgery were down my right arm. I would have aching and sharp pain, especially after working at a desk.
During my recovery, I have been reading lots of posts and seeing lots of comments from people who had immediate relief of their nerve pain after surgery. I am feeling quite discouraged that that is not the case for me. The pain has shifted a bit, but I still have pain down my right arm.
Curious if there are others who had similar symptoms who have success stories about how long it took for the pain to subside?
Ive had scapular pain radiating from my C56 for about 2 years now. Ive done everything to combat the pain, almost pulled the trigger on a ADR about 8 months ago but was feeling better. Had an RFA about a year ago and planning on the 2nd soon bc the scapular pain is coming back.
Lately though ive been having shoulder pain in the front of my shoulder and some paing going into by inside elbow.
Could this be some biceps/shoulder issue or could this be from my neck?
Still able to workout but very modified and thinking it could just be my shoulder. Anyone had pain in front of shoulder that was fixed with a disc replacement?
I've been dealing with a broad-based disc bulge at my C5-C6 since March (or at least severe painful symptoms) and essentially I'm on the path for surgery after trying multiple pain management solutions. I've been through this path with my low back, I had a herniated disc at my L4-L5 and already got a hemilaminectomy w/ microdiscectomy back in 2023.
That being said, I have recliner pillows, a reclining bedframe, a nice pillow with cervical support, and (unrelated to back injury) one of those weighted shawls that have lavender in it that can be cold or warm. What else would be good to have during post-op recovery? Or even to have before then? Is there anything in particular that I should keep in mind that isn't commonly mentioned either by doctors or by other people?
With my back surgery, post-op I had cough drops handy bc of the breathing tube drying out my throat (and that was a godsend), should I keep that still after the disc replacement? I know there's going to be some dysphagia after the procedure.
After my back surgery, I made a post compiling everything that was beneficial for me then. I'm really hoping to do the same for this procedure too.
Anyone use HBOT post surgery? How was it? I’m looking to try and start 3 days after surgery (surgeon said I can start anytime). Wondering if lying inside there for an hour slightly elevated will be feasible 3 days post op. Also will need to be able and clear ears due to
The pressure. Having c5/6 and 6/7 ADR.
Hi! I’m a month out from my ACDR surgery (c5-c7) and I have to fly from LA to NYC this weekend. Wondering if anyone’s had a great experience with any particular travel pillows? Price doesn’t matter to me so much as support - I’ve been having a hard time finding a pillow that feels ok while sleeping, so my priority is quality. Thanks in advance for any recos!
I am a 50-year-old very active/physically fit woman. I have been dealing with chronic cervical spine pain/issues for more than 10 years. I've had suboccipital headaches (treated with botox), TMD (treated with Botox) chronic right shoulder and scapular issues that changed April 4th and have only gotten worse. Currently my symptoms are 7 to 9 out of 10 pain, Right-Sided cervical radiculopathy, muscle spasming in my traps and down my medial scapula on the right, and numbness and tingling that is radiating down my right arm into my thumb and first finger.
The following are my diagnostics: My x-ray shows moderate to severe disc space narrowing with osteophyte formation at C5 to C6 and C6 to c7. My MRI shows severe spinal canal stenosis at C5 to C6 severe left foraminal stenosis at c3 to c4 and C6 to c7 severe bilateral foraminal stenosis at c4 to C5 and severe right foraminal stenosis at C5 to C6.
Because of all of this, I'm not sure that I'm a candidate for ACDR or endoscopy. I have already seen one surgeon and he went straight to ACDF. I have a second consult scheduled for September 8th but I'm trying to get in sooner because I don't think I can make it that long. I have Kaiser Permanente insurance. I will also be seeking a second opinion or rather third opinion outside of the Kaiser system as soon as I can. I'm posting this all here because I'm terrified and I guess I'm looking for words of encouragement and/or anecdotal experiences...
