2 weeks post ACDF C5-7
2 weeks post ACDF for C5-7
I read as many stories here as I could find before going in, and here is my contribution.
Surgery was the correct choice for me. Instantly all the headache and nerve pain was gone. Recovery is slow but oh-so-worth it.
2 weeks post-op and I’m clear to drive. I started back to work part time from home about a week after surgery.
**Background**:
49F Started seeing a neurologist for migraines. Various unsuccessful treatment options led to PT / physio. Somewhere along the way was an MRI. And then another MRI.
Simultaneously I’m recovering from stage 4 metastasized thyroid cancer. I was diagnosed with hypoparathyroidism 2 years after thyroidectomy due to not being able to maintain blood calcium levels - symptoms of muscle spasms and tingling.
After getting calcium, potassium, sodium, and magnesium levels stabilized, I still had nerve pain. And it was getting worse.
Physio noticed I was getting weaker.
MRI noted severe progression of stenosis and uncovertebral hypertrophy with ankylosing spondylitis with my 2nd image only 6 months after the first.
Cervical epidurals made the pain a million times worse.
Muscle relaxers, gabapentin 600mg x3/day, triptans, twice weekly chiro, twice weekly physio for 18 months.
Finally got a referral to a neurosurgeon.
**Consultations**
Neurosurgeon 1 - reviewed my file and didn’t want to see me.
Clinic 2 - got me in a week later and was very thorough in reviewing symptoms, scans, and options. He said ACDF should be done within a month but not more than 6 months.
Clinic 3 - nice enough. Same conclusion but not as nice of bedside manner.
Clinic 4 - finally got me in with a nurse 3 months after referral. She dismissed all my symptoms; said I don’t have stenosis. She suggested I get my head checked.
Hmm.
I selected Clinic 2, and surgery was within a month of consult.
**Procedure**
Stop all meds 7-10 days before surgery.
Pain was so bad a day or two before ACDF that I’d cry through the night.
Surgery day:
Arrived 9am to go over everything.
9:30 - IVs and such hooked up.
11:20 - rolled me back. I was out by the time they hooked up all the major stuff.
I had a little lead inserted behind my ear to monitor spinal pressure. Little electrodes were all over to monitor nerve activity.
Incision is about 3” long horizontal about a finger width above my collar bone in the front (anterior surgery)
They move esophagus and trachea out of the way to get to the spine.
A little corpectomy here and there, shave down the uncovertebral joints (joints of Lushka), remove any bone spurs or whatever was causing the hypertrophy, remove the the discs (C5-6, and C6-7) and replace with cadaver bone; fuse all with titanium plate and screws.
1:25 - out of surgery but not awake yet
2:30 - awake but groggy
3:20 - I was up and walking around, ready to go home.
I was released same day.
They planned for an external drain tube, but I didn’t need it.
They planned for a hard neck brace, but for whatever reason I didn’t need it.
**Recovery**
Surgery Day 0 - went home to sleep.
I recommend a recliner chair or wedge pillow. I used a levee of blankets to prevent rolling.
SD + 1 - up and walking around a bit at a time
SD + 5 - off all pain meds; my shoulders are still a bit tight
SD + 9 - able to sit unassisted for an hour ish at a time
SD + 10 - back to work part time from home
SD + 12 - cleared to drive
SD + 14 - follow up with surgeon. All is well. Plan is to get x-rays at about 5 weeks post-op to check on fusion and decide whether I need any physio/PT.
I think my voice came back around day 3-4.
Around that time I started on soft foods like spaghetti o’s.
YMMV
Follow your doctor’s restrictions for your specific body.
10/10 would do it again.
I have not had a single migraine or headache since.
No more crunching sound in my skull.
No more arm pain.
No more lightning nerve pain that feels like wasps.
No more vagal nerve symptoms.
No more vertigo.
My grip strength improved almost immediately.
I can lift my 20lb cat (not sure if I should be?) but I can’t quite lift a gallon jug yet.