anybody have cervical fusion acdf?

How was recovery? ROM? Are u back to climbing equal or better than before?

I'm 2 weeks away from having c5-6 fused and a bit freaked out. I've failed all conservative treatments over the last year....2 epidurals, lots of PT, massage, traction, ect...my mri shows a very herniated disk at c5-6 with severe narrowing. Two doctors have advised fusion as my only remaining remedy for pain reduction and to regain strength by relieving nerve compression. My left arm/hand is significantly weaker and constantly numb tingly.

Good luck! Fusion has a long recovery.

I had a microdiscetomy coming up on 3 years ago. I had a herniated disc between L3-4. I also had pain and all that down my right leg too. I have good times and bad. I would advise you to ask about a micro before fusion.

Thanks!
I'm told microdesectomy is not an option for me because of the location of the pinched nerve. Bummer.

I'm sorry to hear that. But hey, I know 2 people who got fusion done and recovered well.

I look at it this way anytime I get down about my neck and back... I can always quit work and go on disability!

PM if you ever need anything.

Conrad...good luck to you man.

I had my L4/5 fused 15 months ago. My disc was herniated and highly deteriorated. There was no saving my disc. So fusion was the best option for me as well.

Fusion recovery is not fun and can be quite difficult at times. I missed a month and a half of work and I just sit at a desk when at work. So if you do anything physical, it could be longer. Was pretty much bed ridden for a month. I spent a week in the hospital. Had a pee tube for a few days, which is not comfortable. Basically would wake up to drink, nibble on some bread and press my morphine button. Week 2 at home was not easy and needed help doing pretty much everything. By week 3-4 I was able to start actually showering myself. Wore a back brace for 3 months. Then started PT and did PT for about 3 months. This all being said, cervical fusion might be a little better as far as getting around goes. Either way, Im happy to report that it was worth it and my back feels way better and stronger than it did before surgery. Im not back to where I was and i will never be what I was when I was 18. However, I do think I will be back to climbing as strong as I was before surgery by next year. Im just not as ambitious at this point and rightly so.

Good luck and take it slow.

Thanks for the info! Damn Riggs that sound rough. Good to hear you're doing good now though.

The dr says he typically releases his patient to 100% activity by month 3. That sound great, but doesnt seem to jive with what im reading online.

Its such a tough call.

Hi Conrad,
How was your experience with ACDF? Are you recovering well?

I unfortunately had to get emergency ACDF after I was struck by a car while on my bicycle. My neck was fractured at C5-C6 and the disc in between ruptured. ACDF was a way of stabilizing my neck after the trauma. I had C5-C6 fused (or better yet, it's fusing as we speak). I'm about 6 weeks out from surgery at the moment.

I'm constantly worried about how active I'll be able to be later and when I'll get to start moving around again. I hope I'll be able to get back to where I was climbing. I'm especially concerned about the need for future fusion given it seems like it can have a cascading effect for some people.

Interested in hearing about your experience.

Sorry to hear that man. My c5-6 was done 4 month 3 weeks ago.

Most of my pre-surgery pain/numbness is gone and I have regained or gotten closer to equal strength in my left arm. I've recently started light workouts and very easy climbing. Over all I'm very weak and my symptoms will come back if I over do it. Each week I seem to be getting a little better. So that keeps me motivated.

The bad news is I have a noticable loss of motion. I'm guessing in the 15% loss up and down motion and 20+ % ear to shoulder motion. My chin will never again touch my chest, nor my ear touch my shoulder. So I have to be careful about over doing it as I will easily fatigue and get a sore neck.....this is probably how/why other segments degrade and need future fusion. I will probably not be able to surf anymore.

My acdf has fully fused on the bottom, but the top is not fusing yet.

My advice for you is get you nutrition perfected, walk walk and keep walking. Blood flow will help you heal. Find a PT that understands your needs as a climber. Be patient.

In 2002 had L4/L5 fused. This May 2015 had L4 through L2 fused. Whole lower back now just a metal rod:) My recovery from the surgical effects was about a month. 2 weeks out of surgery I was walking without pain for 2 to 3 miles. 1 month out I was doing 4 to 5 miles on weekends. Now 4 months out and climbing and starting low level strength training. Not leading yet and keeping it at 5.fun range. Also, able to mountain bike easy trails and back on road bike. Have to give up impact exercises, e.g. running, but can do short steep hill sprints. Yoga is definitely out (never liked it anyway), no more sit ups (will miss them). Have new stretching routine that takes my lower back out of the equation that I learned from PT. Adds 15 minutes to workout, but needs to be done. My Doc for both fusions was Dr. Benz in Fort Collins...and I swear by him. Last Monday was my final visit and he gave me the release to do whatever I wanted to do...using good judgement. Headed out to COR next Thursday and plan to to do as many 5.6 - 5.8's as possible...maybe a 5.9 or 2 as well.
I have no pain or sciatica anymore. My back does get tired if I stand for several hours, but that will go away. Just turned 60 this August and hope to get a good 10 more years out of this body...and then will trade it in for an upgrade. Had a Birmingham hip replacement in 2009...Hope this is my last surgery.

I had an ACDF on C5-C6 and C6-C7 12 days ago, so I don't know much yet as far as ROM and climbing. I'm waling 2-3 miles a day and doing neck stretches as the surgeon recommended. My neck feels pretty stiff at this point, but improving each day. I did not have to wear a neck brace.

My surgeon said I could start yoga again after 6 weeks, he thinks yoga is fine as long as I don't do anything that puts too much strain on the cervical spine. I will no longer by standing on my head! I'll be asking about climbing and other activities on my follow up visit on the 28th. I really hate not being about to climb right now, the weather is perfect.