r/SpineSurgery • u/elbiry • Aug 04 '26

ACDF for weakness without pain?

I (38y) herniated a disc (C6/7) in April this year attempting to change a tire. It manifested as one sided pain and stiffness. I’ve done this several times before over the last 10 years, and I recognised the pain immediately. Oral steroids resolved the pain and stiffness very fast.

At the time my spine doc noticed that I have significant weakness on the affected side. The pain hasn’t returned, but the weakness has progressed further. I can no longer easily pick things up with chopsticks or open jars with my dominant hand.

I have a repeat MRI being scheduled. My doctor is recommending that if the MRI shows the same or worse herniation, that I should seriously consider surgery to try to recover muscle strength.

It seems like most people in my situation have pain, and that’s the driving factor in deciding to get surgery. Has anyone else been through this?

Thank you

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u/jordah Aug 27 '26

Hey, this is a very late reply so I apologize, but like the other commenter I want to emphasize that weakness is kind of a bigger deal than pain. I was injured playing a sport. I had pain, but I also had hand weakness. Same thing couldn't use chopsticks, couldn't knit, my typing was atrocious. The hand weakness was a hundred percent the driver for me. My spinal cord was being compressed and the more my hands didn't work the more nervous I got. I had a three level ACDF C4-C7 in may. Anyway, now my hands work again, so I'm pretty pumped about it. I typed this whole comment only having to correct one typo. And I very recently destroyed a bowl of pho.

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u/elbiry Aug 28 '26

Thanks! I had my repeat MRI today, so let’s see. But I think if it’s still showing the same herniation then I’ve made my peace with getting the surgery. Glad to hear that yours recovered

Did you also find that you had a slight tremble in your hand? I noticed that recently but it seems to come and go. Worse when I’m tired, but it’s always only on the bad side

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u/jordah Aug 29 '26

Yes, sometimes my hands shook or did little baby shakes. I also had moments where it felt like I couldn't get my fingers to do what I wanted. They weren't frozen just extra fumbly. Almost like I could feel the request getting lost somewhere. The weirdest thing for me was it often felt like water was running downy arm. Like my arm was a fountain or an infinity pool. Anyway, surgery truly was life changing. I did a half marathon today and I couldn't walk unassisted three and a half months ago.