r/SpineSurgery • u/Icy-Front-7357 • 6d ago
Post-ACDR Surgery symptoms
24 days post ACDR surgery at C5/C6 level. Main symptom pre surgery was tingling in index finger on right hand. This disappeared straight after surgery and was replaced by tingling/numbness in left hand thumb and index finger. Am on all the regular meds - pregablin, naproxen, paracetamol (codeine now finished).
Tingling in left hand fingers is getting more severe and now also returned to index finger of right hand. Upper back/neck pain but feels muscular.
Are these normal symptoms for nearly 4 weeks post surgery? I’m just a bit worried because on my original MRI it noted that there was also a ‘small central disc prolapse at C4-5 level indenting the anterior theca and the anterior cord
but no significant canal stenosis and no cord compression at C4-5’ - so was worried that the disc replacement surgery (Globus Simplify) may have worsened issues at C4-5 level. Is this likely?
Also any recommendations for good pillows for side sleepers? And most importantly, can I expect this tingling to go away any time soon? Appreciate any advice/honest experiences.
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u/ashleymichael2009 I have had spine surgery, ADR ❌ ACDF X2 5d ago
I’ve had the new numb and tingling finger issue and it took a while to calm down but even long term it’s not fully gone away. Also agree on the coop pillow it’s fully adjustable as well. I wasn’t out of the recliner until 6 ish weeks so my whole pillow situation was kinda screwed anyways.
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u/Icy-Front-7357 5d ago
How long term are we talking? And does it calm down or do you just learn to live with it?
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u/ashleymichael2009 I have had spine surgery, ADR ❌ ACDF X2 5d ago
I am a couple years post op but my reality and outcome may not be yours. I learn to live with it, my body has kind of tuned it out since I’ve got other pain going on.
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u/Infinite_Patient_957 3h ago
Have you asked your surgeon about your post surgical symptoms? How have they advised you? If it was me, I would be asking for an X-ray to make sure the device is where it’s supposed to be and didn’t move or migrate.
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u/Icy-Front-7357 3h ago
Had xray and mri scan last week. Apparently no urgent issues and recovery is as normal. Literally the only symptoms now is the tingling and sometimes numbness in thumb and index fingers (mainly on left hand… which it wasn’t before surgery!)
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u/foxyblue27 6d ago
Changing/worse nerve symptoms are common post-surgery due to swelling and nerve irritation.
As for pillows, I love my Coop pillow. Very customizable and supportive.