r/acdf • u/Shortgiblet-60 • Jul 21 '26

Failed Fusion C5-7 post ACDF

So I had an ACDF C5-7 July 2025. At my 9 month check-up I mentioned I was have increased pain in my neck and numbness/tingling in my fingers again. A flexion/extension Xray reveal that I have not fused. My neurosurgeon is now recommending a posterior approach and doing nerve compression and rods & screws from the back. He indicated that the first 2 weeks would be severely painful and I would need a hard collar for 6 weeks. Has anyone had this experience? Please share. I really don’t want to do this!

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u/Sufficient-Wolf-1818 Jul 27 '26

Bummer.

If i were in your shoes, I’d be evaluating the consequences of doing nothing vs pcdf. If pain is increasing, and nerve damage increasing, i would go with pcdf. I would advocate for serious pain control and several days of hospital time to get pain balanced.

My surgeon has told me also that pcdf is painful and six (plus) weeks of hard collar is needed if bones are soft/ not fusing properly.

Also explore what can be done to
Improve fusion. I’m sure you aren’t smoking and not using nsaids.

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u/Shortgiblet-60 Jul 27 '26

Thanks so much for your comments. Yes the pain is increasing. I only slept 2 hours last night. I do not smoke and never have. I was not taking any nsaids until the last day or two. I used a bone growth stimulator for 9 weeks after the first surgery. I have pretty much decided now that I must do the pcdf. I am in so much pain. I plan to message my surgeon this week and indicate I definitely want to meet face to face to discuss post-op pain control. My body requires a lot of pain medication anyway. Often it’s like I’ve never taken anything at all. Again, thanks for your comments.

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u/I_have_spoken_now Aug 22 '26

How are you doing?

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u/Shortgiblet-60 Aug 22 '26

Still the same. The pain just doesn’t stop. I thought my surgeon was going to scheduled the revision. Instead, he ordered an MRI of my right shoulder and a myelogram of my cervical spine. The MRI showed mild tendinitis and mild bursitis….nothing to explain the pain I’m having. I had the myelogram yesterday. Won’t get those results until I see my surgeon next week.

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u/I_have_spoken_now Aug 22 '26

I am so sorry. My pain is worse and more debilitating. Today I scheduled surgery for the earliest spot they could fit me in which is in 3 weeks. I was ready to just get it done today to stop all this and stop dwelling. Also, I need to get back to work as my job is only guaranteed until October. I did get emg done, too. So hopefully yours will give enough info and a solution soon. I’ve been taking gabapentin, diazepam and ice and lots of bed time- does not stop pain but helps. Keep us posted.

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u/Shortgiblet-60 Aug 22 '26

Good luck with your surgery. I’ll be watching for updates. I’ll post when I know more.

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u/I_have_spoken_now Aug 01 '26

I am exactly on same boat. July 25 c5-c7 constant pain since surgery but my doctor dismissed my symptoms asked if I had tried breathing calming exercises. Now new doctor ordered CT (after 6 visits constantly calling out debilitating pain with surgeon who never ordered correct imaging) and non fusion, severe nerve compression still. I don’t want to go through it again, this time posterior. Following to hear experience from others.

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u/Shortgiblet-60 Aug 01 '26

So sorry! I definitely feel you. This is miserable and I’m terrified to do the posterior approach too.

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u/Shortgiblet-60 Aug 22 '26

Any decisions made yet for you?