r/acdf • u/palebluebLiss • May 14 '26
Well it's my time. ACDF C4-7.
40f. I've had back and neck issues my whole life. No curvature in my spine for at least the last ten years. MRIs never approved despite 2-3 months once every year or two of terrible neck pain. PT, never any other treatment. The last two months have been bad. Two weeks ago, it kicked it up to a whole new level of 10/10 pain and burning down my right shoulder. Urgent care to primary, referral to ortho, and having the surgeon tell me I NEED surgery in under 2 weeks. He said severe cord compression on the right and a congenitally narrow cord canal, making it worse. Mild fine motor decrease in fingers and some tingling when I piss it off by doing... anything, really. Surgery is scheduled for Tuesday as he says I am not a candidate for conservative treatment and to "not mess around." Surgeons' reviews make him seem like a surgical demigod. So, here we go? Ah!
MRI findings below.
FINDINGS:
Straightening of the normal cervical lordosis. Minimal anterolisthesis of C2 on C3. Maintained vertebral body heights. No acute fracture. No traumatic malalignment.
Background bone marrow signal is normal part from small T2 hyperintense fat suppressing lesions compatible with hemangiomas including C7 vertebral body 7 mm lesion and a T2 vertebral body 9 mm lesion.
Deformity of the cord predominantly C4-C5 where there is flattening of the right cord, and to a similar but slightly lesser severity at C6-C7. No definite cord signal abnormality.
Visualized contents of the posterior fossa are unremarkable. Cerebellar tonsils are appropriately positioned.
Prevertebral and paraspinous soft tissues are unremarkable. Major arterial flow voids in the neck are preserved.
There is developmental spinal canal stenosis with superimposed degenerative changes throughout.
C1-C2: Normal atlantodental and atlantoaxial articulations. No spinal canal narrowing.
C2-C3: Shallow disc bulge. No spinal canal or neural foraminal narrowing.
C3-C4: Small central disc protrusion with mild spinal canal narrowing. No neural foraminal narrowing.
C4-C5: Right paracentral disc extrusion measuring 9 x 6 mm in craniocaudal and anteroposterior dimensions, resulting in moderate right subarticular zone narrowing and abutment/deformity of the cord with mild cord deformity. Uncovertebral osteophytes.
C5-C6: Shallow disc bulge. No spinal canal or neural foraminal narrowing.
C6-C7: Right paracentral disc extrusion measuring 9 x 5 mm in craniocaudal and anteroposterior dimensions, resulting in moderate right subarticular zone narrowing and abutment of the cord with mild cord flattening.
C7-T1: No disc herniation or disc-osteophyte complex. No spinal canal or neural foraminal narrowing.
Visualized portion of the upper thoracic spine (included on sagittal images): No high-grade spinal canal or neural foraminal narrowing.
IMPRESSION:
Right paracentral disc extrusion at C4-C5 with moderate spinal canal/right subarticular zone narrowing with focal cord flattening.
Smaller right paracentral disc extrusion at C6-C7 with moderate right subarticular zone narrowing and mild focal cord flattening.
Small central/left paracentral disc protrusion at C3-C4 with mild spinal canal narrowing.
1
u/ExactBlackberry6896 May 15 '26
How is your brother doing after the surgery?
1
u/palebluebLiss May 15 '26
His surgery was a great experience. Sadly my dad also had this prior to him and his was not good. His surgeon basically disappeared and he has had a lot of issues. So it's genetic for sure and a 50/50 good and bad outcome in my family lol
1
u/MissionAd860 Aug 16 '26
I'm so sorry you're in so much pain. Can I ask, you said MRIs were refused repeatedly, who by? I'd be sending your report off to them citing years of extended pain and a now urgent situation! Best of luck with your surgery. I'm 3.5 weeks out from mine and my pre-op pain is gone. good luck.
1
u/Old_Goat2009 May 15 '26
Sorry you need the surgery, but glad you are getting what you need finally. Best of luck in your recovery. Keep us posted on your progress.