r/SpineSurgery

I’m a 30 year old female that’s worked in a warehouse for almost 8 years. The past year I’ve been having progressing tingling/numbness/weakness in my legs. I saw my neurologist and got a brain and spine MRI done and just got my results.

It says severe central canal stenosis at c5-c6. A disc extrusion at c5-c6 and a small area of edema inside the spinal cord. I haven’t spoken to my neurologist yet. Has anyone had the same? I’m trying to calm down but I’m freaking out.

What are the chances of “full” recovery from cord compression? My surgery will be 3 month after having the first symptoms, no signal change on mri, no myelomalacia, the disc is “touching” the spinal cord, not fully compressing it. No motor function problems, only neuropathy like sensation in arms and feet as of now, but they are sometimes painful. Did anyone had full recovery from this? Do you think that there are good chances of full recovery? What should I do to have the best outcome? I still have 3-4 weeks until surgery.

How long did it take for the weakness to subside for some of you? I’m 10 months post op and my weakness from my rhomboid comes and goes. I’m finally able to do back workouts but still experiencing weakness and also a bit of numbness and tingling. (Numbness and tingling has gotten better.)

Writing on behalf of my husband. In his words:

41/M looking for advice from those with endoscopic spine surgery experience.

I am considering booking an appointment with Dr Jian Shen of the Endoscopic Spine Institute of NY to have my 3rd microdiscectomy. The first 2 were done with open surgery. The second surgery was done a week after the first. The first failed before I woke up from anesthesia. I had a year of great success until reherniation.

I have very little disc height left at L5S1 but Dr Shen said he would be willing to do one more MD (endoscopically this time, with some stem cell therapy to try to treat the annular tear) and then perform an endoscopic fusion if it failed down the line (he gave this a 25% chance considering my history)

What I am specifically interested in are testimonials from those who have had either an endoscopic MD or an endoscopic fusion. Preferably at a lumbar level.

I know endoscopic fusion is relatively new, but every other surgeon wants to do an ALIF + MD. When you consider what's actually done during that procedure, it makes the thought of endoscopic sound like a walk in the park. It all feels too good to be true, so it would be wonderful to speak with someone who has experience.

TLDR: Looking for testimonials from those who have had endoscopic lumbar fusion or MD with Dr Jian Shen.

Hi! I’m (31F) having a total disectomy & ADR on L4-L5 as well as fusion on L5-S1 in a few days.

I’m also autistic so I take things very literal and I got told the BLT rule (no bending, lifting, twisting).

Isn’t getting into the car bending? Or going to the bathroom?

I was wondering if anyone could tell me what they did every day after surgery? I’m very confused and my surgeons keep saying “listen to your body” - but i am autistic so 1. Very poor connection to my body and 2. Im freaking out about doing something wrong or not enough , etc.

How much did yall stay in bed ? At what angle?

How much did yall walk? (My surgeon told me minimum 20 min, no maximum, as is an “active recovery”)

How did you pass the time?

What did you do? For how long?

What angle where yall when you were eating ?

I sleep on my side , my surgeon said no sleep position restrictions but any tips ? I also twist my hips (put top leg across) so I’m guessing that’s a no ????

I’m wondering how to spend the day. I’m most anxious about that .

Like wake up, walk a little ? Then what? Rest? Ok but how? Sitting? Laying down? Standing up?

Please help.

Thank you in advance 🩷🩷🩷

Or do they leave the tear open that way after removing the part hitting the nerves? If you're getting an endoscopic microdiscectomy then not sure if they're able to sew that up.

Hi all. I just had a c6-7 disc replacement on the 23rd, iirc it was titanium but I don't really know because I was pretty out of it lol. As of rn my biggest complaint is really bad heartburn, which is odd, wasn't expecting that.

Anyway, has anyone grown taller after a replacement heals? I figured bc I'd eventually be standing up straighter it might add a few fractions of an inch, which is better than nothing. I'm not expecting anything huge lol.

40M, had severe bulge between c5 and c6, narrowing of spinal cord (4mm out of 10mm normal width), no signal changes but evidence for mild myelopathy. I had troubles looking up, going up the stairs and had a lot of strong currents going through my arms. Medical massages had temporary relief of the symptoms for 24 hours but it always came back. CT and MRI confirmed the narrows and I got (world renowned) experts feedback that I should do ACDF. The bulge was central and massive.

I went to another surgeon that does endoscopy discectomy, he said that he could operate and could relive the pressure off the spinal cord. This was out of insurance, but the recovery process is extremely faster and there are no bodily modifications (no fusion or artificial discs inserted). This also means that there are no long term restrictions and I could still go to rollercoasters and waterslides without any limitations (for me, that matters).

After a 2 hours surgery (should have been 40 minutes but the bulge has been hardened so it took longer to remove) I stayed in the hospital for 4 more hours, then released home. No neck support needed, need some steroids and had some backup opiate subscribed but the DR said to only take it if I absolutely must (there was no need for it yet).

As I went out of the surgery, all current were completely gone, I had full range (well, almost) in my neck, I could look up but the muscles felt stiff.

Its now day 2: some numbness came back to my right hand, but no currents. I do have some muscle pain in my neck shoulders and hands, but it feels different, hard to explain.

I was instructed that I must rest completely for 2-3 weeks, after that I could resume daily routine.

in 1 month I can resume physical workouts

in 2-3 months I could do anything without restrictions.

I've heard horror stories about the ACDF recovery, and I wanted to show that there is a less invasive alternative. I am happy I chose this path.

If there is demand, I will update this thread.

37F looking for opinions

In January 2026, I had an MRI that showed a large cervical disc extrusion at C6-C7. The report described:

C6-C7: Large disc extrusion extending inferiorly with associated elevation of the posterior longitudinal ligament. There is mass effect on the right ventral rootlet and moderate right subarticular zone narrowing. There is moderate canal stenosis with a residual canal diameter of 7 mm.

IMPRESSION: Large disc extrusion at C6-C7 with mass effect on the right ventral rootlet, moderate right subarticular zone narrowing, and moderate canal stenosis.

My symptoms at the time included neck pain, arm pain, numbness/tingling, and weakness consistent with C7 nerve involvement. I was evaluated by spine surgeons and ACDF was discussed as a the only option.

I chose conservative management because I have two young boys and wanted to avoid surgery if possible. Since then, I have gradually improved. My pain is significantly better than it was in January. Overall I am almost completely functional I just have to be careful when turning my neck.

Today (June 2026), I felt a “pop” in my neck while pulling a blanket. Since then, I’ve had some mild increased tightness and anxiety that I may have re-injured the area. I do not currently have any new neurologic deficits, but the event has me concerned. We are also going to Orlando for Disney and Universal in September and I worry about the rides.

My questions:

1. For a large C6-C7 disc extrusion that is now about 6 months old, how often do you see spontaneous regression or resorption on repeat MRI?
2. If symptoms have improved substantially, how likely is it that a repeat MRI would show improvement even if the original herniation was large?
3. Does a popping sensation followed by muscular tightness typically suggest anything concerning, or is that commonly muscular/facet-related?
4. In your practice, what factors would make you recommend ACDF despite overall symptom improvement?
5. If you were your patient’s surgeon and they were improving clinically, would you repeat the MRI before making a decision about surgery?

I understand no one can provide medical advice over Reddit, but I would appreciate any general thoughts or experiences!