I am constantly learning new things, often through trial and error. This channel is intended to share my lessons learned, product reviews, tutorials, etc.
Hello. I am recovering from my surgery due to myelopathy. I think I went to the surgeon you mentioned seeing in New York City. How are you today?
@LearnAtMyExpense8 күн бұрын
I'm doing great! How are you doing? Was your surgeon Dr. Riew?
@mrboombastic58138 күн бұрын
Yes he was! I have watched your videos for the past year as I have dealt with the pain from a failed fusion at C3 to C5. I am recovering 2 1/2 weeks out from a C3 to C5 posterior hemilaminectomy and fusion. He also diagnosed that I had congenital stenosis so gave me a laminoplasty at C5 C6 and did a little bit of a laminectomy at C7 to prevent future surgeries. I’m 2 1/2 weeks out and started feeling some nerve pain down into my arms again and I’m feeling really nervous. watching your videos gives me hope that I can improve and it may not happen overnight.
@LearnAtMyExpense8 күн бұрын
@@mrboombastic5813 I assure you you had one of the best, if not best, surgeons in the world. Many surgeons won't even do laminoplasty because insurance companies pay way less for them to surgeons, and many are not skilled or comfortable doing them. One thing I've learned over the ~22 months since my surgery - it really is a 2 year recovery process. I felt like I was healed after the first couple of months, minus some serous neck stiffness due to being in the collar. But looking back, there is continuous healing. Hang in there!
@ronaldm.mcdonald21969 күн бұрын
I have mine on Wednesday.. thank you!
@frankiegee526010 күн бұрын
I suffer from nerve pain that radiates from the base of my neck down into left arm and fingers.
@teresakrueger411416 күн бұрын
I had surgery 3 weeks ago. C-3 through C-7. I'm fused and 3 cadaver disc's. Was tired when they woke me up from surgery. I also didn't feel much pain. Some in my shoulder blades. Walked within a few hours of surgery and felt good the first night. Was thankful my husband got to stay in my room and helped me when the nurses were busy. I went home after one day but was told l could stay longer if wanted. Over the weeks I've had some neck and back pain but hasn't been that bad. I went back to work after 2 weeks. I've gained feeling back in my arm and finger's on my left side. My biggest issue is this hard neck brace. It's driving me crazy 🙉 But thankful for my doctor and all the nurses who took great care of me. Never had bad throat pain but in the morning my throat is dry and still having a some swallowing issues when l eat. I have to chew and have to drink water to get my food down. 3 weeks out still a little pain in the morning and nights but nothing to bad. I have to wear my hard collar at all times. I do have the soft collar for driving only. I'm already seeing improvement and glad l got the surgery.
@AdvocateWriter19 күн бұрын
Thank you for sharing, and inspiration; I've got another month left in my rigid brace, my Dr' said gotta wear it for 3 months on my C4-7 ACDF, but I had complications. Pt to start at 3 months PO. I asked for no PT because I believe they have always made matters worse. But Dr said I need to learn how not to injure myself with the hardware and will be brief, so I can't argue with that. A PSA for you and your viewers to consider, A defective headrest exploded on me just shotting the door on my Jeep Patriot and wasn't even aware they existed and apparently potentially in millions of aging vehicles from 2010 to Aug of 2017 when they began washing the parts with alcohol to rid the Oil contaminant causing a chemical breakdown of components. They depoy with approx 120# of force 3 times faster than an airbag. Chrysler says they cant hurt anyone. My Dr's and I disagree as well others, I've gone through speech therapy, treatments for my memory loss and the ACDF. I thought someone was hiding in the back seat, it was just after dark and thought I was going to be killed by an asailant so I got Ptsd too and agrivated/worsented my low back trying to squeeze between the seats to fight back. Just thought I'd share that for those who wish to decide for themselves if they wan't to sit in front of them with pre existing cervical issues, while my wife has been driving I've tied the other non deployed AHR with para chord, not advising anyone that is a solution, just what I am doing.
@lateinthegame618020 күн бұрын
Just at 4 weeks ago had c2toc6
@lynneziregue2681Ай бұрын
Does everyone have to wear a hard neck brace? 😊
@LearnAtMyExpenseАй бұрын
No. It depends on surgeon's preference and usually number of levels. Other factors come into play as well. There is no "rule" or even research to suggest they are effective, but I can say that some of the top cervical spine surgeons in the world do prescribe one for multilevel ACDF.
@jasongoodman4195Ай бұрын
Thank you! Any positive or negative ACDF updates as of present day? I have C4-C7 herniation and surgeon recommended procedure but I’m extremely apprehensive. Appreciate your reply bud! God bless~
@LearnAtMyExpenseАй бұрын
I've said in my videos a few times that this surgery should be avoided....unless you have no choice. Unfortunately, since this is always considered an "elective" surgery, we all have to choose for ourselves, even if we have surgeons warning us we risk severe consequences if we don't have it. Given that, I had no choice, so I had the surgery. It's turned out well for me, but am I reminded daily that I had it? Yes. Every time I go to back out of a parking space (even with a backup camera), try to change lanes, etc. The higher up you go in the spine with an ACDF the more impact to mobility. C4-C7 won't be nearly as bad as C3 or, much much worse, C2. I always recommend that people read this paper carefully before considering surgey: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29164035/ The contributors to that paper are THE best cervical spine specialists in the world and the purpose of it is to advise other neuro/ortho surgeons on when to recommend surgery. Bottom line: if your surgeons (yes, you should ALWAYS get more than one opinion especially for this) recommend surgery and you are myelopathic and have mid to severe symptoms, you probably should get surgery, as I did. If you have no symptoms or they are mild, then as the paper's results show, then monitoring is best. Regardless of whether you elect for surgery or not - avoid the drugs, stay in great physical shape, and stay positive and you'll be okay. There's a price to pay for this surgery no doubt. But if you avoid the drugs, stay in shape, and stay positive you'll find that the outcome is good.
@Grateful-GodsChild2 ай бұрын
Thanks for sharing 4level ADCF for me…
@michaelhankes57082 ай бұрын
thanks for posting all your videos …. you have helped me 🙏
@chrisgaines5722 ай бұрын
Did you weakness subside?
@AndyL9402 ай бұрын
I forgot to ask you if your arm strength has returned? Thank you for answering my last question. You’re very kind. Thanks in advance 🙏
@LearnAtMyExpense2 ай бұрын
It mostly has, though my right hand's grip strength is not all the way back for sure. I haven't been lifting weights consistently (maybe once per month or so when I get motivated) so haven't been tracking. Last time I used a bench press machine, the kind with independent arms, I could tell there was still a slight imbalance with the right side being a little weaker. It's not noticeable in my day to day activities though, and the tricep muscle that had atrophied prior to surgery is fully back in terms of size.
@AndyL9402 ай бұрын
@@LearnAtMyExpense That’s wonderful to hear . Be well my friend 👍
@jodyj85282 ай бұрын
Thank you so much! I am 48 and a few weeks away from this same level line-up. He may go C2-T1, and may have to add corpectomy or posterior stabilization as well. But you are right - I couldn't even find more than a two level ACDF video anywhere. As far as need, I have the Lhermitte shocks and vertigo, and without Gabapentin, terrible arm pain. So, we are there. Lhermitte means surgery. :-( I need a second lumbar fusion as well, but this nick of mine wins this race, ha. Dang it. I have a new Ebike I can't ride due to this myelopathy, I bought it before the MRI. I hope someday I can ride it. I install car seats (and teach parents to) for my job, so this scares me . . . to give up that career I love. But paralysis would be worse. If there are certain things you found super helpful after surgery, aids like bath chair or toilet rails or etc. please let me know. I do have a recliner and adjustable bed. Thank you so much!
@LearnAtMyExpense2 ай бұрын
Best advice I can give is to stay positive and walk, walk, walk for exercise. I had surgery in the morning and was walking in the hospital that afternoon, but you may be getting a more extensive surgery than I did as I had straight ACDF. So you may not be up to it the first day or so - ask your surgeon and the nurses after. After you get home, try to walk for exercise daily. There is a facebook group for people getting ACDF surgery but honestly I wouldn't recommend it. I got lots of good info about what I might need but the majority of posts in there were negative. I honestly walked into surgery thinking my odds of ever being a functional human being again were slim, which in hindsight was stupid - ACDF is a very common surgery and the studies show it to be overwhelmingly effective and with positive outcomes. The good advice I got from that group was to purchase and have on hand: Bendy straws - pretty much everyone has swallowing issues the first week. I had severe swelling when I first woke up from surgery. The physician that checked on me (he was in the surgery with my surgeon) prescribed a dose of steroid in my IV and within a few hours it cleared up drastically. I was able to eat dinner (soft food) that night without problem. But minor swallowing issue for a week to 10 days and then cleared. Bendy straws were a must for the first 3 or 4 days I think. A "Grabber' - one of those things you see people using to pick up trash off the street/parks but they sell ones designed for use in the house to get things out of the cupboard etc. I was in excellent physical shape before surgery so bending was not really an issue for me - I could hinge/squat at the waist no problem. But even then the first few days I did use the grabber to pick up things from the floor. I still use it once in a while to this day to grab the occasional sock that falls behind the dryer : ) Recliner - this was the biggest thing for me. I slept in mine for a long time as it was most comfortable for me. My best advice to you is to stay positive and trust the process. You'll still have aches and pains etc as you progress. This is normal. You'll be fine and then a week or month or 6 months post surgery you'll notice your drop foot has occasionally starting happening again, or you are dropping things you know you shouldn't, etc. These things happen as your spinal cord/nerves repair over time. Don't go nuts thinking something is wrong. Just trust the process and in time you'll see it all is fine. Another, and this is the single most important thing and is also a bit controversial apparently so I am hesitant to mention it often in my videos but I do feel it is critical: avoid drugs as much as possible. I expected to need some pain relivers the first week or two but it turned out I didn't need anything. That is extremely uncommon. If you need them take them but know that even the most painful spine surgery should not require opioids/pain meds for more than ~15 days. I talked with one of the top cervical spine researchers/surgeons in NYC - he said they won't even prescribe for more than 30 days. Gabapentin is also quite addictive and a pattern I have noticed is people who stay on these drugs post surgery will often keep experiencing the same nerve pain and other symptoms. Discuss with your surgeon a strategy to come off the Gabapentin. Good luck and I wish you the best! You'll get through this and get on that ebike in time! You might be best off wearing a helmet though just to be safe : )
@jodyj85282 ай бұрын
@@LearnAtMyExpense thank you so, so much! I indeed do have the best helmet ever for it, now I just need the spine to cooperate with the plan. ;-) I am not a fan of the opioid type meds so usually quit those very quickly after a surgery. Have a super summer!
@frankieleetablet19622 ай бұрын
Thank you for the great information and encouragement. Im 68 and very active as I play in a band, ride motorcycle, love boating and working out. I also was told by Rothman I need 4 level ACDF. I play guitar, piano and sing so Im very nervous about having my voal chord injured and my hands/arms returninng to normal. By the way...great playing! I reside at the Jersey shore so I have the option of going to NY or Philly. You've done great homework so I really was hoping you could give me the name of the surgeon you had as it would really help me feel better. I have read good things about Jefferson Health and I really would like to choose the best practitioner I can. Thanks so much! Frankie Lee
@LearnAtMyExpense2 ай бұрын
Hi Frankie. I highly recommend Dr. James Harrop at Jefferson. He was the surgeon who performed my ACDF. Another great surgeon who I consulted with and is in Manhattan is Dr. K. Dan Riew. Both are highly respected and are often consulted by other neuro/ortho surgeons for complex surgeries, revisions, etc. Good luck!
@AndyL9402 ай бұрын
Hi , I was curious about your ear symptoms. I have the same thing . My left ear tickles and gets itchy , that’s been happening for a couple of years on and off , now for 4 months in my right ear has weird pressure and the sounds are robotic or echoy . ENT can’t see anything and has put it down to Eustachian tube dysfunction. I bet it’s from my stenosis. Did your ear problem go before surgery? Or after. I have mild compression on 2 levels 456 but serious foraminal stenosis in 5 openings . My whole neck is an arthritic mess . I wish I could show you the mri . Hope your doing well now and thanks for your videos they have been really helpful and comforting Thanks regards Andrew
@LearnAtMyExpense2 ай бұрын
Thanks - I am doing well! "tickles and gets itchy" - yeah, that is a perfect description for my left ear before surgery and unfortunately it hasn't completely gone away. I remember after surgery it felt like it had but then it came back. It was always an intermittent thing as far as the itchiness/strange feeling in it, where it would seem to flare up for days and then subside. Unfortunately I do have hearing loss in that ear as well and the ENT I saw about it years ago warned me it would get worse, and although I haven't had it tested in a long time now it definitely has over the years. Good luck to you!
@AndyL9402 ай бұрын
Thanks
@davidcheever10552 ай бұрын
I just had mine on January 30 24.. very painful surgery
@LearnAtMyExpense2 ай бұрын
It's different for everyone it seems. I didn't have any pain at the incision, and the nerve pain was gone immediately for me.
@davidcheever10552 ай бұрын
Alot more than you think
@LearnAtMyExpense2 ай бұрын
For a 4 level ACDF typical estimate (there is a research study out there on this if interested) is between 25 and 35% loss of mobility.
@marclevant66392 ай бұрын
Your videos are great!!! I am getting two level in July. I am worried about getting back to pickle ball. How long did it take to get back to playing pickle ball? Thanks
@LearnAtMyExpense2 ай бұрын
Sorry for not responding sooner - I was away on a vacation (played pickleball in Florida!). I was expecting I would not be able to play pickleball or any real activity aside from cardio for perhaps up to a year. But when I visited my surgeon at 7.5 weeks post surgery, he shocked me by telling me I could ditch the cervical collar and can go back to doing any activity I want and to just listen to my body. I specifically asked about lifting weights, pickleball, golf, etc. I wound up doing cardio for a few weeks or so and around the 13th week post surgery I started playing pickleball again. But looking back (no pun intended) that was probably pretty risky given I was playing at open plays and fairly low level upon my return and so you never know what your random partner might do lol. Fortunately no one hit me with a paddle. : )
@christophercapano89882 ай бұрын
Your video helped me a lot! Thank you
@kathywhitaker56343 ай бұрын
I am 74 yo and have planned surgery for May. Cervical stenosis and kyphosis C3 -T1. First surgery using bone from pelvis is ACDF. Then 3 days later PCF. I am concerned about mobility, but I don’t have much anyway. My main concern about mobility is driving. Has anyone else had this level of fusion?
@K4LKDana3 ай бұрын
Why 4-level fusion? Was disc replacement an option?
@LearnAtMyExpense3 ай бұрын
Not for four levels. In the USA, a max of two adjacent levels for disc replacement. Any more is not FDA approved and thus no insurer currently covers it.
@joshrichert16063 ай бұрын
Having this done in a week, my c4 through c7, kinda freaked out about it but lost the ability to use my right arm and hand more or less with constant numbness and tingling, severe spinal stenosis is the reasoning.
@LearnAtMyExpense3 ай бұрын
Best of luck to you. Stay positive and you will get through this and get back to enjoying life!
@tariqalmaawali14823 ай бұрын
Am having c3-c6 fusion and am absolutely terrified regarding neck movement or lack of. Thank you very much for making this video so I could see what my mobility would be like after. Definitely following.
@srgrounds3 ай бұрын
I had same as you c3-c-7 and it’s been a nightmare. I haven’t worked in over 18 months and Im now on SSD. Massive headaches and neck pain. Still getting injections to this day with no improvement. I was told if I didn’t have the surgery that I would be in a wheelchair, so of course I had it. I guess I’m one of the unlucky ones. Glad yours worked out.
@gac31219553 ай бұрын
I had a 3 level on 2/2/24. I am at 5 weeks and feel OK, a bit of pain off and on in my left shoulder blade. I had 4 days in the hospital, I am 68. Hardest thing for me was my throat was raw. I have sleep apnea so they shoved a respirator tube down my throat, I had to take steroids because of that. I see everybody using the foam collars. I have been wearing a large plastic, with thin foam padding collar, and they insist that it is snug, I can not move my neck with it on. One more week and I can take it off. Once I am out of this prison of wearing the collar, I am worried about my head falling off if I turn to quickly.
@RDA81912 ай бұрын
I had mine a week ago and was never given any collar. No bandages either. Just super glued the wound closed
@juliadonley55633 ай бұрын
Did you lose your voice? My husband had surgery same levels on 12/14/23. Now 3/7/24 and still hoarse. Anybody else have this issue?
@LearnAtMyExpense3 ай бұрын
I vaguely recall I did have some hoarseness for a few weeks. Four months is a long time though - I would check with his surgeon about it and see about having an ENT look at it.
@fadedillusions8674 ай бұрын
I have a question thay I am yet to hear answered. What are allowed sleep positions; and, how difficult is getting out of bed?
@LearnAtMyExpense4 ай бұрын
I don't recall ever hearing of any restrictions on sleep positions, but sleeping comfortably and soundly is by far probably the biggest issue universally faced by everyone getting an ACDF (or any cervical spine surgery for that matter). I was fortunate in that I had a recliner and slept in that for the few months prior due to the on again/off again horrible nerve pain that would wake me up and force me out of bed anyway. Post-surgery I was allowed to wear a soft collar. Sleeping in a recliner with the soft collar was pretty comfortable for me. Regarding getting out of bed - this is a great question. It's similar to the "No BLT (bending, lifting, twisting)" advice I see mentioned a lot, which is a bit absurd in my opinion. It's wholly dependent on your physical fitness pre-surgery. If you have good strength then bending (squatting) and getting out of bed will not be a problem. Lifting yourself out of bed by using your core to raise your upper body (while keeping it straight and not bending your neck) will be uncomfortable at first but you quickly figure it out and after a few weeks it's not a challenge. But this is also why most people who do sleep in their bed post-surgery will opt for a "wedge" pillow. I would definitely invest in one if you don't have a recliner. You can find them on Amazon - I bought one but never used it as I found it uncomfortable because I can't sleep on my back in bed, only side, but could easily fall asleep in a recliner on my back. But again, IMO there are three pre-op purchases everyone should buy: 1. A recliner; if money is an issue you can find them used. Cheap ones new are ~$300. You dont need to spend a lot on one. 2. Bendable straws (you'll need those the first few days at the very least) 3. A grabber. You'll want to avoid bending at 90 degrees but if you have the strength to squat you'll have no problem doing most things. But, for example - when pulling socks or clothes out of the back of the dryer - a grabber is pretty awesome. I still use mine once in a while to grab something that falls behind furniture etc. : )
@fadedillusions8674 ай бұрын
Thank you for the lengthy reply and the suggestions. As for my current physical state... Well, have always been in great shape, until about two years ago and, especially, the last 6 months. (My OT has even remarked that she's not seen such drastic muscle loss). So, currently at about 1/3 of my initial strength and about half the muscular tone. Between the newly discovered MS, corpus collosum damage, and the severe cervical stenosis, in fairly rough shape at only 39. Ready for the procedure so we can better target the MS treatment. Then, the fight to get back to as close to what I was as possible. ... Hope that all made sense, am a bit loopy from my gabapentin (600 mg) this morn for some reason.
@LearnAtMyExpense4 ай бұрын
@@fadedillusions867 if you can bend now and control your neck (i.e., you can keep it rigid/straight without bending or dropping due to gravity) then you'll probably be okay. First week it will be challenging due to the surgery but then should quickly improve. Best of luck to you and hoping for a speedy recovery for you!
@fadedillusions8674 ай бұрын
@@LearnAtMyExpense ... I should be good to go. Thanks.
@fadedillusions8674 ай бұрын
Nice to hear another's story. Sounds as if you had a rather good experience with everything. Off to watch the rest of your videos.
@fadedillusions8674 ай бұрын
About a month until I have this exact procedure...
@ebo73104 ай бұрын
I'm now in p/t. I'm experiencing the stiffness.
@ebo73104 ай бұрын
I'm 3 weeks post surgery c4-6. My main issue so far is upper neck/back pain and still swallowing issues. No sore throat, but whenever I eat and swallow, it feels like something is stuck in my throat at times😢I hope this subside. I'm now in a soft collar. I drive with it on sometimes. I'm just praying this thing will fuse together that's my only concern.
@LearnAtMyExpense4 ай бұрын
That's totally normal to have stiffness/soreness in the upper back, shoulder, and neck. It took a long time for me for it to go away completely and it still comes back sometimes but it's not bad. Re the throat - keep in mind your surgeon had to move your esophagus so that causes the swallowing issues temporarily for the vast majority of people. If it doesn't clear up soon you should check with your surgeon. Regarding the fusion - don't get too worried about that. Assuming you're not a smoker, then the data is pretty clear that the vast majority of people fuse with no problems and of those who don't fuse fully, the vast majority do not experience any symptoms/negative effects as a result. As of my last x-ray my C4/5 hadn't fused fully, but it had partial fusion in the back and the front is held tight with the plate so it will eventually fuse as I age. Good luck and remain positive, walk, walk, walk for exercise. You shoudl thank your lucky stars your surgeon has you in a soft collar already! I had to wear a hard collar outside of the house, so no driving, for 7.5 weeks! That was terrible.
@ebo73104 ай бұрын
Im 3 weeks post surgery c4-c6. They called me yesterday to offer a bone growth stimulator. I'm going to ask about this one.
@chazisflying4 ай бұрын
I am 63 years old and the surgeon would like to do disc replacement 3-4,4-5,5-6. I’m only considering this because of my age and I’m pretty close to the end of my work life. It’s very concerning to me. I am seeing videos of really young people. I mean you don’t look 50 years old to me brother. So I’m just wondering what everyone did especially young people to require such surgery. I’ve been dealing with these issues better than 20 years and I’m a residential house painter which I haven’t done for the last year at all. So these are questions in statement form I guess. God bless everyone.
@LearnAtMyExpense4 ай бұрын
While cervical fusion is fairly commonly done, it's very rare for someone under 60 especially multiple levels. It's usually due to trauma like a car accident, major fall, etc. In my case I have no idea what caused it but I had two discs that were really bad. One of them, C3/4, was completely herniated out causing severe cord compression resulting in scarring of the spinal cord as it had been like that for a long time, possibly decades. That one surprised the surgeons I consulted with as they said that could have only happened from trauma. I grew up in a rough neighborhood and had the occasional fist fights, I also once stupidly dove into a shallow pool (hence my crooked nose) at age 12, and then in my early 40's I stupidly decided to give Crossfit workouts a try and I recall a time when the trainer told us to put a loaded barbell on our backs to prep for squats (raising the bar from the floor, not a rack). I had very poor shoulder mobility - when I tried to lower that bar everyone heard cracking. I think that was probably the culprit but who knows. The other one, C5/6, was really bad as well and compressing the cord. C6/7 was fine but the nerve was pinched. I wish you the best!
@charliejg4 ай бұрын
Hey, nice Epiphone Sheraton back there! I have one as well. Thanks for the info. I haven't had my surgery yet. Not sure when it will be for certain, but within a year most likely. Take care!
@LearnAtMyExpense4 ай бұрын
Close - it's actually an Epi ES-335 Pro. If I recall, the Sheraton has the P90's in it? I tried a used one once at a shop and loved it. This ES-335 Pro I got used and it's fine but I rarely play it. More importantly - best of luck on your neck!
@charliejg4 ай бұрын
@@LearnAtMyExpense Thank-you! I also don't play my guitars any more. Bothers sometimes. I have a 70ish LP Goldtop, an 84 Strat and the Sheraton. The Goldtop was my band guitar back in the early 80s. Thanks for the well wishes. Right now I'm dealing with neck and arm pain. I met with my neuro surgeon Friday. He said it will be a 4 level. I might have had it already, but every time I had follow-up visits my strength testing was really good. But, now the pain has gotten much worse. Thanks again for your video and the wishes. Take care!!
@ebo73104 ай бұрын
Im almost 3 weeks post op. I went home with a hard collar and had to wear it and sleep in it. I'm 1 day after my follow up and was given a soft collar now. My issue is my throat and sometimes I feel like something is stuck in my throat but no sore throat. I'm starting p/t next week for my shoulder weakness/atrophy.
@LearnAtMyExpense4 ай бұрын
I had swallowing issues for about a week or two post-op but it's been so long now I don't remember how long it was before it was definitely resolved. Glad to hear about soft collar and PT - the sooner the better in my opinion. I didn't get PT until week 10 and felt I would have gotten more flexibility back sooner if I had started sooner.
@lorraines19344 ай бұрын
Glad to hear you are doing well. I have to have a tripple discectomy and fusion c4 to c7 and a herniation at c3-4 that the surgeon wont touch cuz he dont operate that high. I'm terrified!! I fell off a roof, 12 ft, back in 2008 and been messed up ever since. My neck finally blew out on me in fall of 2022. Im numb, drop stuff all the time, tremorshakes, migraines, pain, involuntary spasms, one wrong move or over exertion and I'm down for days....etc...the works. In 2022 when my neck blew out, i was down for months. Nothing i did eased the pain. It was 3 months bfor i could even brush my own hair. 6 months bfor i could drive short distances. Im terrified of the surgery because of the horror stories mixxed in with the success stories. Will my tripple acdf take out c3-4 the rest of the way so i have to go back in for another surgery and possible revision?.... Not to mention that my divorce has left me homeless at a friends house with nowhere to recover and noone to help care for me. Career... down the drain. Future... uncertain. It adds to the anxiety and depression, I'll tell ya that! I dont know how long it will be before I'm in a place of my own where it is safe to recover. And i dont even know if i will be able to even overcome the fear of the surgery itself. But im glad to watch your video. Your surgery was more disks than my recomended tripple so, i do say, you help give me a little hope. 🤏just a little😉
@LearnAtMyExpense4 ай бұрын
@@lorraines1934 Hang in there. Avoiding C3/4 makes sense given that it really does impact mobility. The higher up you fuse the more mobility lost, as most of the mobility comes from those upper segments. I wish you the best and try to stay positive.
@ebo73104 ай бұрын
Wow 4 levels. I recently had c4-6. Almost 3 weeks Post op now.
@wirebeam3 ай бұрын
I had C3 to T3 done posterior 4 weeks ago
@magdalena58084 ай бұрын
Thank you for sharing! I'm 1 week post op and my surgeon actually didn't even want me to wear a collar. I did get one to prevent turning my head too abruptly when I'm walking or outside as a precaution. But I have not slept in one or anything at all and I feel good. He told me to move my head as tolerable to the left and right. Than all the other restrictions you got as well. But the no collar had been great. Any neck is not stiff or sore. Glad you are doing well and sleepy rest of your recovery!❤
@LearnAtMyExpense4 ай бұрын
That's great to hear you're doing well! This video is quite old - I'm now 1.5 years post-op and doing very well.
@RDA81912 ай бұрын
They didn't give me a collar or even bandage me up. Just super glued the incision closed
@LearnAtMyExpense2 ай бұрын
@@RDA8191 how many levels? In the USA it is typical practice for 3+ levels to be prescribed a collar, though the research I've found on it doesn't really support the use of one.
@magdalena58082 ай бұрын
I didn’t get a collar either. My surgeon was against it. You’ll be fine without it. And my incision also had no stitches. Healed up pretty well. No worries. They did everything properly. Just be mindful of your head movements, what I mean is no abrupt movement. Other than that you’re fine. I’m no expert just speaking from experience.
@pg300zx5 ай бұрын
Thank you for sharing your experience. I will have the procedure very soon.
@riwanl1connu5 ай бұрын
Did u have myelopathy or radiculopathy ?
@riwanl1connu5 ай бұрын
At 30 years old
@riwanl1connu5 ай бұрын
Had one level c5-c6 due to myelopathy. Herniated dic on spinal cord
@deborahalexander73496 ай бұрын
I know this is late to ask a question. But, could you tell me if your plate is straight? My x-ray showed my plate very crooked.
@LearnAtMyExpense6 ай бұрын
My plate is perfectly straight but that is not typical. By "crooked" I assume you mean screwed in at an angle. That is pretty common.
@magdalena58084 ай бұрын
Hi. Just connecting through here as I see you posted fairy new. That's interesting I'm now wondering about mine I didn't know that can happen. I'm 1 week post op right now. Hope all is well with you ❤
@deborahalexander73494 ай бұрын
Thank you, that makes me feel better..@@LearnAtMyExpense
@BenSussmanpro6 ай бұрын
Thanks for sharing your experience. May I ask if you regularly used the cervical collar? Like what % of the day did you use it for following surgery. I had my surgery (C3-C7) 2 weeks ago and I find the Aspen collar very uncomfortable and can’t even sleep with it. I use it during the daytime only at this point.
@LearnAtMyExpense6 ай бұрын
Hi @BenSussmanpro. I wore it always when not sleeping the first week post-op, but then slacked off and stopped wearing it when in the house. I wore a soft collar when in the house. If I was doing laundry or something like that I would put the hard collar on but otherwise soft collar inside. Always wore the hard collar when outside of the house. I assumed prior to surgery that I would need to wear the hard collar 24x7 but before discharge from the hospital the neurosurgery PA came in and issued me a soft collar and a Philly collar (for showering) and told me I could wear the soft collar when sitting and sleeping. I was very pleasantly surprised to hear that as it made sleeping easy for me in a recliner. That said - I was pretty strict about not turning/moving my head regardless of whether in the collar or not until my follow-up with my surgeon at the 7.5 week mark. He shocked me (again!) by lifting all restrictions, including of course no more collars. I found my neck to be VERY stiff and it did take a couple of months of PT to loosen the muscles in my upper back/shoulder/neck to begin gaining back range of motion. I did a lot of reading of studies on the topic of cervical collars and the research out there is pretty inconclusive on their usefulness. In the EU and many younger surgeons in the US will not issue them at all for less than 3 levels. But as you are probably aware, 4+ level ACDF surgeries without supporting posterior rods/screws is pretty rare, and the two top surgeons I consulted with both insist on a hard collar for the first 6 weeks post-surgery. I unfortunately had to wait 7.5 weeks for my follow-up appointment but like I said it wasn't so bad since I wasn't really wearing the hard collar all that much by then except when leaving the house. If I had to do it all over again, honestly, given the amount of stiffness and time it took post-op to regain most of my range of motion, I would probably purposefully do some neck movement daily after the first week or so. But that is something I would do - I don't recommend anyone else attempt unless their surgeon agrees. Keep in mind that everyone's bone structure is different and there are differing factors for everyone so there may be good reason to be more strict. I was 50 and in great physical shape with good strength when I had the surgery, so the usual "No bending, lifting twisting!" advice was really not applicable to me - my neck muscles were still strong post-surgery and I could hinge at the waist, squat, etc. pretty easily. A lot of that advice is for older patients or those not in good form but I guess it doesn't hurt to heed it regardless. Best of luck to you in your recovery!
@BenSussmanpro6 ай бұрын
@@LearnAtMyExpense Thanks so much for responding. I was very active swimming 7 mi/week & working out 2 hrs in the gym most days. I too have been taking marathon walks but also began my stair-climbing routine a few days ago. I’m in my 3d wk now & doing well overall. But I hate wearing the hard collar, although I do wear it except when sleeping. I’ve been researching and found that the U of Maryland Center doesn’t require it for sleeping. Australia surgeons are a bit less strict on it - like for eating & taking breaks. But I’m half-way thru until my followup appt. when hopefully I can ditch the collars completely. I’ll have to look into a soft collar - wasn’t given that option by my surgeon. Thanks again!
@keishahudson48486 ай бұрын
I appreciate your videos! Going in tomorrow 6AM for c3-c6. Excited to be out of pain but still nervous! I’m stocked up on yogurt, soup and toilet paper. Thanks for this info! Much appreciated!
@imveryhungry1125 ай бұрын
Do you feel better after fusing the spine?!
@fadedillusions8674 ай бұрын
How did it go?
@SailingNomad176 ай бұрын
Thank you, so so much!!!
@ultrafree95976 ай бұрын
I lived for 13 years with severe foraminal narrowing C5-C7 ... INSANE pain, numbing of right thumb and first two fingers, now has transferred to Left thumb and first three fingers. Right forearm and thumb and pointer finger strength has diminished immensely. I have taken maybe 8,000 ibuprofen in 13 years, migraines every 3-4 months that put me down for 5-6 days in a dark room. Horrible. I am finally meeting a neurosurgeon next week. If anyone knows what CRPS is, you understand what I am going through. I have lost about 75% of my quality of life and I have never taken opioids for it - ever. Wish me luck.. Double ACDF in the near future.. --- Thanks for your videos friend!
@LearnAtMyExpense6 ай бұрын
Best of luck to you!
@chrisritter50912 ай бұрын
I’ve had a 3 level Acdf in 2021 and a 4 level laminectomy in 2023 and also have crps so I sort of understand your pain
@cheryldep63167 ай бұрын
Thank you for another great video. I am 16 days out to my C3-C7 ACDF. I will also have the hard collar and a bone stimulator that I see you mentioned in the comments. My neurosurgeon does minimally invasive and I think my incision will be smaller than yours. I was surprised to see how large your incision was but I understand the rationale about owing things around. My surgeon mentioned I may be able to drive the day after surgery and return to work after 3 days but I find that hard to believe.
@LearnAtMyExpense6 ай бұрын
@cheryldep6316 please do let us know how your surgery goes. I had never heard of a minimally invasive ACDF. The smaller incisions tend to bulge/puff up short term but eventually go down.
@cheryldep63167 ай бұрын
Thank you for posting your journey with C3-C7 ACDF. The videos are very encouraging. I will be having the same surgery (C3-C7 ACDF) on Dec 19th. My neck issues started in 2001 when I herniated C5-C6. It has been 22 years of degeneration since then. My current diagnosis is severe multi-level Foraminal Stenosis, Osteophytes, DDD, disc height loss, etc People ask me if I am worried about losing the mobility in my neck after surgery and I tell them that I am more worried about losing the function and fine motor skills in my hands. I have visible muscle atrophy in both hands at this point and reduced sensation. I am hoping to regain some of my strength back or at least stop the progression. In my case, the pain in my right arm was pretty bad for about a year but started to improve a couple months ago after taking some nerve meds but the hand issue remains. Thank you for sharing your story. It gives me hope. Cheryl
@magdalena58084 ай бұрын
Hi hope all went well. I'm 1 week post op now. How did things turn out? Are you feeling better than before surgery? I know I'm only 1 week in but still an feeling some tingling in hands and left leg. Take great care and happy recovery ❤
@chrisgaines5722 ай бұрын
I’m having surgery on the 30 how are you feeling
@magdalena58082 ай бұрын
I’m feeling much better. The surgeon told me my symptoms all depended on how much damage was already done to the nerves prior to surgery. I guess there was a bit of damage cuz I still get tingling in my legs and numbness as well. Mostly in my knees and below. My hands are still weak and so is my grip. I lost some neck mobility but not much. I’m only 3 months post op so still healing. Going to physio once a week. I hope your surgery goes well. The worst is right after. I felt like my head weight a ton lol. But it gets better with time. The surgery is definitely worth it.
@susanb29797 ай бұрын
I’m 68 and day 6 post op.Pain is soreness and hurts to swallow.I know it will get better.
@LearnAtMyExpense6 ай бұрын
Hang in there! Hopefully by now the swallowing has returned to normal for you.
@jamesclemmer38977 ай бұрын
I am about to go into the same surgery with the exception that i alteady have c-4 c5 done and a corpectomy or removel of c-7. The plate will be attached to c3-t1. I hope to get the same mobilty back as you did. Thank u very much for posting this it has helped a lot.
Пікірлер
Hello. I am recovering from my surgery due to myelopathy. I think I went to the surgeon you mentioned seeing in New York City. How are you today?
I'm doing great! How are you doing? Was your surgeon Dr. Riew?
Yes he was! I have watched your videos for the past year as I have dealt with the pain from a failed fusion at C3 to C5. I am recovering 2 1/2 weeks out from a C3 to C5 posterior hemilaminectomy and fusion. He also diagnosed that I had congenital stenosis so gave me a laminoplasty at C5 C6 and did a little bit of a laminectomy at C7 to prevent future surgeries. I’m 2 1/2 weeks out and started feeling some nerve pain down into my arms again and I’m feeling really nervous. watching your videos gives me hope that I can improve and it may not happen overnight.
@@mrboombastic5813 I assure you you had one of the best, if not best, surgeons in the world. Many surgeons won't even do laminoplasty because insurance companies pay way less for them to surgeons, and many are not skilled or comfortable doing them. One thing I've learned over the ~22 months since my surgery - it really is a 2 year recovery process. I felt like I was healed after the first couple of months, minus some serous neck stiffness due to being in the collar. But looking back, there is continuous healing. Hang in there!
I have mine on Wednesday.. thank you!
I suffer from nerve pain that radiates from the base of my neck down into left arm and fingers.
I had surgery 3 weeks ago. C-3 through C-7. I'm fused and 3 cadaver disc's. Was tired when they woke me up from surgery. I also didn't feel much pain. Some in my shoulder blades. Walked within a few hours of surgery and felt good the first night. Was thankful my husband got to stay in my room and helped me when the nurses were busy. I went home after one day but was told l could stay longer if wanted. Over the weeks I've had some neck and back pain but hasn't been that bad. I went back to work after 2 weeks. I've gained feeling back in my arm and finger's on my left side. My biggest issue is this hard neck brace. It's driving me crazy 🙉 But thankful for my doctor and all the nurses who took great care of me. Never had bad throat pain but in the morning my throat is dry and still having a some swallowing issues when l eat. I have to chew and have to drink water to get my food down. 3 weeks out still a little pain in the morning and nights but nothing to bad. I have to wear my hard collar at all times. I do have the soft collar for driving only. I'm already seeing improvement and glad l got the surgery.
Thank you for sharing, and inspiration; I've got another month left in my rigid brace, my Dr' said gotta wear it for 3 months on my C4-7 ACDF, but I had complications. Pt to start at 3 months PO. I asked for no PT because I believe they have always made matters worse. But Dr said I need to learn how not to injure myself with the hardware and will be brief, so I can't argue with that. A PSA for you and your viewers to consider, A defective headrest exploded on me just shotting the door on my Jeep Patriot and wasn't even aware they existed and apparently potentially in millions of aging vehicles from 2010 to Aug of 2017 when they began washing the parts with alcohol to rid the Oil contaminant causing a chemical breakdown of components. They depoy with approx 120# of force 3 times faster than an airbag. Chrysler says they cant hurt anyone. My Dr's and I disagree as well others, I've gone through speech therapy, treatments for my memory loss and the ACDF. I thought someone was hiding in the back seat, it was just after dark and thought I was going to be killed by an asailant so I got Ptsd too and agrivated/worsented my low back trying to squeeze between the seats to fight back. Just thought I'd share that for those who wish to decide for themselves if they wan't to sit in front of them with pre existing cervical issues, while my wife has been driving I've tied the other non deployed AHR with para chord, not advising anyone that is a solution, just what I am doing.
Just at 4 weeks ago had c2toc6
Does everyone have to wear a hard neck brace? 😊
No. It depends on surgeon's preference and usually number of levels. Other factors come into play as well. There is no "rule" or even research to suggest they are effective, but I can say that some of the top cervical spine surgeons in the world do prescribe one for multilevel ACDF.
Thank you! Any positive or negative ACDF updates as of present day? I have C4-C7 herniation and surgeon recommended procedure but I’m extremely apprehensive. Appreciate your reply bud! God bless~
I've said in my videos a few times that this surgery should be avoided....unless you have no choice. Unfortunately, since this is always considered an "elective" surgery, we all have to choose for ourselves, even if we have surgeons warning us we risk severe consequences if we don't have it. Given that, I had no choice, so I had the surgery. It's turned out well for me, but am I reminded daily that I had it? Yes. Every time I go to back out of a parking space (even with a backup camera), try to change lanes, etc. The higher up you go in the spine with an ACDF the more impact to mobility. C4-C7 won't be nearly as bad as C3 or, much much worse, C2. I always recommend that people read this paper carefully before considering surgey: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29164035/ The contributors to that paper are THE best cervical spine specialists in the world and the purpose of it is to advise other neuro/ortho surgeons on when to recommend surgery. Bottom line: if your surgeons (yes, you should ALWAYS get more than one opinion especially for this) recommend surgery and you are myelopathic and have mid to severe symptoms, you probably should get surgery, as I did. If you have no symptoms or they are mild, then as the paper's results show, then monitoring is best. Regardless of whether you elect for surgery or not - avoid the drugs, stay in great physical shape, and stay positive and you'll be okay. There's a price to pay for this surgery no doubt. But if you avoid the drugs, stay in shape, and stay positive you'll find that the outcome is good.
Thanks for sharing 4level ADCF for me…
thanks for posting all your videos …. you have helped me 🙏
Did you weakness subside?
I forgot to ask you if your arm strength has returned? Thank you for answering my last question. You’re very kind. Thanks in advance 🙏
It mostly has, though my right hand's grip strength is not all the way back for sure. I haven't been lifting weights consistently (maybe once per month or so when I get motivated) so haven't been tracking. Last time I used a bench press machine, the kind with independent arms, I could tell there was still a slight imbalance with the right side being a little weaker. It's not noticeable in my day to day activities though, and the tricep muscle that had atrophied prior to surgery is fully back in terms of size.
@@LearnAtMyExpense That’s wonderful to hear . Be well my friend 👍
Thank you so much! I am 48 and a few weeks away from this same level line-up. He may go C2-T1, and may have to add corpectomy or posterior stabilization as well. But you are right - I couldn't even find more than a two level ACDF video anywhere. As far as need, I have the Lhermitte shocks and vertigo, and without Gabapentin, terrible arm pain. So, we are there. Lhermitte means surgery. :-( I need a second lumbar fusion as well, but this nick of mine wins this race, ha. Dang it. I have a new Ebike I can't ride due to this myelopathy, I bought it before the MRI. I hope someday I can ride it. I install car seats (and teach parents to) for my job, so this scares me . . . to give up that career I love. But paralysis would be worse. If there are certain things you found super helpful after surgery, aids like bath chair or toilet rails or etc. please let me know. I do have a recliner and adjustable bed. Thank you so much!
Best advice I can give is to stay positive and walk, walk, walk for exercise. I had surgery in the morning and was walking in the hospital that afternoon, but you may be getting a more extensive surgery than I did as I had straight ACDF. So you may not be up to it the first day or so - ask your surgeon and the nurses after. After you get home, try to walk for exercise daily. There is a facebook group for people getting ACDF surgery but honestly I wouldn't recommend it. I got lots of good info about what I might need but the majority of posts in there were negative. I honestly walked into surgery thinking my odds of ever being a functional human being again were slim, which in hindsight was stupid - ACDF is a very common surgery and the studies show it to be overwhelmingly effective and with positive outcomes. The good advice I got from that group was to purchase and have on hand: Bendy straws - pretty much everyone has swallowing issues the first week. I had severe swelling when I first woke up from surgery. The physician that checked on me (he was in the surgery with my surgeon) prescribed a dose of steroid in my IV and within a few hours it cleared up drastically. I was able to eat dinner (soft food) that night without problem. But minor swallowing issue for a week to 10 days and then cleared. Bendy straws were a must for the first 3 or 4 days I think. A "Grabber' - one of those things you see people using to pick up trash off the street/parks but they sell ones designed for use in the house to get things out of the cupboard etc. I was in excellent physical shape before surgery so bending was not really an issue for me - I could hinge/squat at the waist no problem. But even then the first few days I did use the grabber to pick up things from the floor. I still use it once in a while to this day to grab the occasional sock that falls behind the dryer : ) Recliner - this was the biggest thing for me. I slept in mine for a long time as it was most comfortable for me. My best advice to you is to stay positive and trust the process. You'll still have aches and pains etc as you progress. This is normal. You'll be fine and then a week or month or 6 months post surgery you'll notice your drop foot has occasionally starting happening again, or you are dropping things you know you shouldn't, etc. These things happen as your spinal cord/nerves repair over time. Don't go nuts thinking something is wrong. Just trust the process and in time you'll see it all is fine. Another, and this is the single most important thing and is also a bit controversial apparently so I am hesitant to mention it often in my videos but I do feel it is critical: avoid drugs as much as possible. I expected to need some pain relivers the first week or two but it turned out I didn't need anything. That is extremely uncommon. If you need them take them but know that even the most painful spine surgery should not require opioids/pain meds for more than ~15 days. I talked with one of the top cervical spine researchers/surgeons in NYC - he said they won't even prescribe for more than 30 days. Gabapentin is also quite addictive and a pattern I have noticed is people who stay on these drugs post surgery will often keep experiencing the same nerve pain and other symptoms. Discuss with your surgeon a strategy to come off the Gabapentin. Good luck and I wish you the best! You'll get through this and get on that ebike in time! You might be best off wearing a helmet though just to be safe : )
@@LearnAtMyExpense thank you so, so much! I indeed do have the best helmet ever for it, now I just need the spine to cooperate with the plan. ;-) I am not a fan of the opioid type meds so usually quit those very quickly after a surgery. Have a super summer!
Thank you for the great information and encouragement. Im 68 and very active as I play in a band, ride motorcycle, love boating and working out. I also was told by Rothman I need 4 level ACDF. I play guitar, piano and sing so Im very nervous about having my voal chord injured and my hands/arms returninng to normal. By the way...great playing! I reside at the Jersey shore so I have the option of going to NY or Philly. You've done great homework so I really was hoping you could give me the name of the surgeon you had as it would really help me feel better. I have read good things about Jefferson Health and I really would like to choose the best practitioner I can. Thanks so much! Frankie Lee
Hi Frankie. I highly recommend Dr. James Harrop at Jefferson. He was the surgeon who performed my ACDF. Another great surgeon who I consulted with and is in Manhattan is Dr. K. Dan Riew. Both are highly respected and are often consulted by other neuro/ortho surgeons for complex surgeries, revisions, etc. Good luck!
Hi , I was curious about your ear symptoms. I have the same thing . My left ear tickles and gets itchy , that’s been happening for a couple of years on and off , now for 4 months in my right ear has weird pressure and the sounds are robotic or echoy . ENT can’t see anything and has put it down to Eustachian tube dysfunction. I bet it’s from my stenosis. Did your ear problem go before surgery? Or after. I have mild compression on 2 levels 456 but serious foraminal stenosis in 5 openings . My whole neck is an arthritic mess . I wish I could show you the mri . Hope your doing well now and thanks for your videos they have been really helpful and comforting Thanks regards Andrew
Thanks - I am doing well! "tickles and gets itchy" - yeah, that is a perfect description for my left ear before surgery and unfortunately it hasn't completely gone away. I remember after surgery it felt like it had but then it came back. It was always an intermittent thing as far as the itchiness/strange feeling in it, where it would seem to flare up for days and then subside. Unfortunately I do have hearing loss in that ear as well and the ENT I saw about it years ago warned me it would get worse, and although I haven't had it tested in a long time now it definitely has over the years. Good luck to you!
Thanks
I just had mine on January 30 24.. very painful surgery
It's different for everyone it seems. I didn't have any pain at the incision, and the nerve pain was gone immediately for me.
Alot more than you think
For a 4 level ACDF typical estimate (there is a research study out there on this if interested) is between 25 and 35% loss of mobility.
Your videos are great!!! I am getting two level in July. I am worried about getting back to pickle ball. How long did it take to get back to playing pickle ball? Thanks
Sorry for not responding sooner - I was away on a vacation (played pickleball in Florida!). I was expecting I would not be able to play pickleball or any real activity aside from cardio for perhaps up to a year. But when I visited my surgeon at 7.5 weeks post surgery, he shocked me by telling me I could ditch the cervical collar and can go back to doing any activity I want and to just listen to my body. I specifically asked about lifting weights, pickleball, golf, etc. I wound up doing cardio for a few weeks or so and around the 13th week post surgery I started playing pickleball again. But looking back (no pun intended) that was probably pretty risky given I was playing at open plays and fairly low level upon my return and so you never know what your random partner might do lol. Fortunately no one hit me with a paddle. : )
Your video helped me a lot! Thank you
I am 74 yo and have planned surgery for May. Cervical stenosis and kyphosis C3 -T1. First surgery using bone from pelvis is ACDF. Then 3 days later PCF. I am concerned about mobility, but I don’t have much anyway. My main concern about mobility is driving. Has anyone else had this level of fusion?
Why 4-level fusion? Was disc replacement an option?
Not for four levels. In the USA, a max of two adjacent levels for disc replacement. Any more is not FDA approved and thus no insurer currently covers it.
Having this done in a week, my c4 through c7, kinda freaked out about it but lost the ability to use my right arm and hand more or less with constant numbness and tingling, severe spinal stenosis is the reasoning.
Best of luck to you. Stay positive and you will get through this and get back to enjoying life!
Am having c3-c6 fusion and am absolutely terrified regarding neck movement or lack of. Thank you very much for making this video so I could see what my mobility would be like after. Definitely following.
I had same as you c3-c-7 and it’s been a nightmare. I haven’t worked in over 18 months and Im now on SSD. Massive headaches and neck pain. Still getting injections to this day with no improvement. I was told if I didn’t have the surgery that I would be in a wheelchair, so of course I had it. I guess I’m one of the unlucky ones. Glad yours worked out.
I had a 3 level on 2/2/24. I am at 5 weeks and feel OK, a bit of pain off and on in my left shoulder blade. I had 4 days in the hospital, I am 68. Hardest thing for me was my throat was raw. I have sleep apnea so they shoved a respirator tube down my throat, I had to take steroids because of that. I see everybody using the foam collars. I have been wearing a large plastic, with thin foam padding collar, and they insist that it is snug, I can not move my neck with it on. One more week and I can take it off. Once I am out of this prison of wearing the collar, I am worried about my head falling off if I turn to quickly.
I had mine a week ago and was never given any collar. No bandages either. Just super glued the wound closed
Did you lose your voice? My husband had surgery same levels on 12/14/23. Now 3/7/24 and still hoarse. Anybody else have this issue?
I vaguely recall I did have some hoarseness for a few weeks. Four months is a long time though - I would check with his surgeon about it and see about having an ENT look at it.
I have a question thay I am yet to hear answered. What are allowed sleep positions; and, how difficult is getting out of bed?
I don't recall ever hearing of any restrictions on sleep positions, but sleeping comfortably and soundly is by far probably the biggest issue universally faced by everyone getting an ACDF (or any cervical spine surgery for that matter). I was fortunate in that I had a recliner and slept in that for the few months prior due to the on again/off again horrible nerve pain that would wake me up and force me out of bed anyway. Post-surgery I was allowed to wear a soft collar. Sleeping in a recliner with the soft collar was pretty comfortable for me. Regarding getting out of bed - this is a great question. It's similar to the "No BLT (bending, lifting, twisting)" advice I see mentioned a lot, which is a bit absurd in my opinion. It's wholly dependent on your physical fitness pre-surgery. If you have good strength then bending (squatting) and getting out of bed will not be a problem. Lifting yourself out of bed by using your core to raise your upper body (while keeping it straight and not bending your neck) will be uncomfortable at first but you quickly figure it out and after a few weeks it's not a challenge. But this is also why most people who do sleep in their bed post-surgery will opt for a "wedge" pillow. I would definitely invest in one if you don't have a recliner. You can find them on Amazon - I bought one but never used it as I found it uncomfortable because I can't sleep on my back in bed, only side, but could easily fall asleep in a recliner on my back. But again, IMO there are three pre-op purchases everyone should buy: 1. A recliner; if money is an issue you can find them used. Cheap ones new are ~$300. You dont need to spend a lot on one. 2. Bendable straws (you'll need those the first few days at the very least) 3. A grabber. You'll want to avoid bending at 90 degrees but if you have the strength to squat you'll have no problem doing most things. But, for example - when pulling socks or clothes out of the back of the dryer - a grabber is pretty awesome. I still use mine once in a while to grab something that falls behind furniture etc. : )
Thank you for the lengthy reply and the suggestions. As for my current physical state... Well, have always been in great shape, until about two years ago and, especially, the last 6 months. (My OT has even remarked that she's not seen such drastic muscle loss). So, currently at about 1/3 of my initial strength and about half the muscular tone. Between the newly discovered MS, corpus collosum damage, and the severe cervical stenosis, in fairly rough shape at only 39. Ready for the procedure so we can better target the MS treatment. Then, the fight to get back to as close to what I was as possible. ... Hope that all made sense, am a bit loopy from my gabapentin (600 mg) this morn for some reason.
@@fadedillusions867 if you can bend now and control your neck (i.e., you can keep it rigid/straight without bending or dropping due to gravity) then you'll probably be okay. First week it will be challenging due to the surgery but then should quickly improve. Best of luck to you and hoping for a speedy recovery for you!
@@LearnAtMyExpense ... I should be good to go. Thanks.
Nice to hear another's story. Sounds as if you had a rather good experience with everything. Off to watch the rest of your videos.
About a month until I have this exact procedure...
I'm now in p/t. I'm experiencing the stiffness.
I'm 3 weeks post surgery c4-6. My main issue so far is upper neck/back pain and still swallowing issues. No sore throat, but whenever I eat and swallow, it feels like something is stuck in my throat at times😢I hope this subside. I'm now in a soft collar. I drive with it on sometimes. I'm just praying this thing will fuse together that's my only concern.
That's totally normal to have stiffness/soreness in the upper back, shoulder, and neck. It took a long time for me for it to go away completely and it still comes back sometimes but it's not bad. Re the throat - keep in mind your surgeon had to move your esophagus so that causes the swallowing issues temporarily for the vast majority of people. If it doesn't clear up soon you should check with your surgeon. Regarding the fusion - don't get too worried about that. Assuming you're not a smoker, then the data is pretty clear that the vast majority of people fuse with no problems and of those who don't fuse fully, the vast majority do not experience any symptoms/negative effects as a result. As of my last x-ray my C4/5 hadn't fused fully, but it had partial fusion in the back and the front is held tight with the plate so it will eventually fuse as I age. Good luck and remain positive, walk, walk, walk for exercise. You shoudl thank your lucky stars your surgeon has you in a soft collar already! I had to wear a hard collar outside of the house, so no driving, for 7.5 weeks! That was terrible.
Im 3 weeks post surgery c4-c6. They called me yesterday to offer a bone growth stimulator. I'm going to ask about this one.
I am 63 years old and the surgeon would like to do disc replacement 3-4,4-5,5-6. I’m only considering this because of my age and I’m pretty close to the end of my work life. It’s very concerning to me. I am seeing videos of really young people. I mean you don’t look 50 years old to me brother. So I’m just wondering what everyone did especially young people to require such surgery. I’ve been dealing with these issues better than 20 years and I’m a residential house painter which I haven’t done for the last year at all. So these are questions in statement form I guess. God bless everyone.
While cervical fusion is fairly commonly done, it's very rare for someone under 60 especially multiple levels. It's usually due to trauma like a car accident, major fall, etc. In my case I have no idea what caused it but I had two discs that were really bad. One of them, C3/4, was completely herniated out causing severe cord compression resulting in scarring of the spinal cord as it had been like that for a long time, possibly decades. That one surprised the surgeons I consulted with as they said that could have only happened from trauma. I grew up in a rough neighborhood and had the occasional fist fights, I also once stupidly dove into a shallow pool (hence my crooked nose) at age 12, and then in my early 40's I stupidly decided to give Crossfit workouts a try and I recall a time when the trainer told us to put a loaded barbell on our backs to prep for squats (raising the bar from the floor, not a rack). I had very poor shoulder mobility - when I tried to lower that bar everyone heard cracking. I think that was probably the culprit but who knows. The other one, C5/6, was really bad as well and compressing the cord. C6/7 was fine but the nerve was pinched. I wish you the best!
Hey, nice Epiphone Sheraton back there! I have one as well. Thanks for the info. I haven't had my surgery yet. Not sure when it will be for certain, but within a year most likely. Take care!
Close - it's actually an Epi ES-335 Pro. If I recall, the Sheraton has the P90's in it? I tried a used one once at a shop and loved it. This ES-335 Pro I got used and it's fine but I rarely play it. More importantly - best of luck on your neck!
@@LearnAtMyExpense Thank-you! I also don't play my guitars any more. Bothers sometimes. I have a 70ish LP Goldtop, an 84 Strat and the Sheraton. The Goldtop was my band guitar back in the early 80s. Thanks for the well wishes. Right now I'm dealing with neck and arm pain. I met with my neuro surgeon Friday. He said it will be a 4 level. I might have had it already, but every time I had follow-up visits my strength testing was really good. But, now the pain has gotten much worse. Thanks again for your video and the wishes. Take care!!
Im almost 3 weeks post op. I went home with a hard collar and had to wear it and sleep in it. I'm 1 day after my follow up and was given a soft collar now. My issue is my throat and sometimes I feel like something is stuck in my throat but no sore throat. I'm starting p/t next week for my shoulder weakness/atrophy.
I had swallowing issues for about a week or two post-op but it's been so long now I don't remember how long it was before it was definitely resolved. Glad to hear about soft collar and PT - the sooner the better in my opinion. I didn't get PT until week 10 and felt I would have gotten more flexibility back sooner if I had started sooner.
Glad to hear you are doing well. I have to have a tripple discectomy and fusion c4 to c7 and a herniation at c3-4 that the surgeon wont touch cuz he dont operate that high. I'm terrified!! I fell off a roof, 12 ft, back in 2008 and been messed up ever since. My neck finally blew out on me in fall of 2022. Im numb, drop stuff all the time, tremorshakes, migraines, pain, involuntary spasms, one wrong move or over exertion and I'm down for days....etc...the works. In 2022 when my neck blew out, i was down for months. Nothing i did eased the pain. It was 3 months bfor i could even brush my own hair. 6 months bfor i could drive short distances. Im terrified of the surgery because of the horror stories mixxed in with the success stories. Will my tripple acdf take out c3-4 the rest of the way so i have to go back in for another surgery and possible revision?.... Not to mention that my divorce has left me homeless at a friends house with nowhere to recover and noone to help care for me. Career... down the drain. Future... uncertain. It adds to the anxiety and depression, I'll tell ya that! I dont know how long it will be before I'm in a place of my own where it is safe to recover. And i dont even know if i will be able to even overcome the fear of the surgery itself. But im glad to watch your video. Your surgery was more disks than my recomended tripple so, i do say, you help give me a little hope. 🤏just a little😉
@@lorraines1934 Hang in there. Avoiding C3/4 makes sense given that it really does impact mobility. The higher up you fuse the more mobility lost, as most of the mobility comes from those upper segments. I wish you the best and try to stay positive.
Wow 4 levels. I recently had c4-6. Almost 3 weeks Post op now.
I had C3 to T3 done posterior 4 weeks ago
Thank you for sharing! I'm 1 week post op and my surgeon actually didn't even want me to wear a collar. I did get one to prevent turning my head too abruptly when I'm walking or outside as a precaution. But I have not slept in one or anything at all and I feel good. He told me to move my head as tolerable to the left and right. Than all the other restrictions you got as well. But the no collar had been great. Any neck is not stiff or sore. Glad you are doing well and sleepy rest of your recovery!❤
That's great to hear you're doing well! This video is quite old - I'm now 1.5 years post-op and doing very well.
They didn't give me a collar or even bandage me up. Just super glued the incision closed
@@RDA8191 how many levels? In the USA it is typical practice for 3+ levels to be prescribed a collar, though the research I've found on it doesn't really support the use of one.
I didn’t get a collar either. My surgeon was against it. You’ll be fine without it. And my incision also had no stitches. Healed up pretty well. No worries. They did everything properly. Just be mindful of your head movements, what I mean is no abrupt movement. Other than that you’re fine. I’m no expert just speaking from experience.
Thank you for sharing your experience. I will have the procedure very soon.
Did u have myelopathy or radiculopathy ?
At 30 years old
Had one level c5-c6 due to myelopathy. Herniated dic on spinal cord
I know this is late to ask a question. But, could you tell me if your plate is straight? My x-ray showed my plate very crooked.
My plate is perfectly straight but that is not typical. By "crooked" I assume you mean screwed in at an angle. That is pretty common.
Hi. Just connecting through here as I see you posted fairy new. That's interesting I'm now wondering about mine I didn't know that can happen. I'm 1 week post op right now. Hope all is well with you ❤
Thank you, that makes me feel better..@@LearnAtMyExpense
Thanks for sharing your experience. May I ask if you regularly used the cervical collar? Like what % of the day did you use it for following surgery. I had my surgery (C3-C7) 2 weeks ago and I find the Aspen collar very uncomfortable and can’t even sleep with it. I use it during the daytime only at this point.
Hi @BenSussmanpro. I wore it always when not sleeping the first week post-op, but then slacked off and stopped wearing it when in the house. I wore a soft collar when in the house. If I was doing laundry or something like that I would put the hard collar on but otherwise soft collar inside. Always wore the hard collar when outside of the house. I assumed prior to surgery that I would need to wear the hard collar 24x7 but before discharge from the hospital the neurosurgery PA came in and issued me a soft collar and a Philly collar (for showering) and told me I could wear the soft collar when sitting and sleeping. I was very pleasantly surprised to hear that as it made sleeping easy for me in a recliner. That said - I was pretty strict about not turning/moving my head regardless of whether in the collar or not until my follow-up with my surgeon at the 7.5 week mark. He shocked me (again!) by lifting all restrictions, including of course no more collars. I found my neck to be VERY stiff and it did take a couple of months of PT to loosen the muscles in my upper back/shoulder/neck to begin gaining back range of motion. I did a lot of reading of studies on the topic of cervical collars and the research out there is pretty inconclusive on their usefulness. In the EU and many younger surgeons in the US will not issue them at all for less than 3 levels. But as you are probably aware, 4+ level ACDF surgeries without supporting posterior rods/screws is pretty rare, and the two top surgeons I consulted with both insist on a hard collar for the first 6 weeks post-surgery. I unfortunately had to wait 7.5 weeks for my follow-up appointment but like I said it wasn't so bad since I wasn't really wearing the hard collar all that much by then except when leaving the house. If I had to do it all over again, honestly, given the amount of stiffness and time it took post-op to regain most of my range of motion, I would probably purposefully do some neck movement daily after the first week or so. But that is something I would do - I don't recommend anyone else attempt unless their surgeon agrees. Keep in mind that everyone's bone structure is different and there are differing factors for everyone so there may be good reason to be more strict. I was 50 and in great physical shape with good strength when I had the surgery, so the usual "No bending, lifting twisting!" advice was really not applicable to me - my neck muscles were still strong post-surgery and I could hinge at the waist, squat, etc. pretty easily. A lot of that advice is for older patients or those not in good form but I guess it doesn't hurt to heed it regardless. Best of luck to you in your recovery!
@@LearnAtMyExpense Thanks so much for responding. I was very active swimming 7 mi/week & working out 2 hrs in the gym most days. I too have been taking marathon walks but also began my stair-climbing routine a few days ago. I’m in my 3d wk now & doing well overall. But I hate wearing the hard collar, although I do wear it except when sleeping. I’ve been researching and found that the U of Maryland Center doesn’t require it for sleeping. Australia surgeons are a bit less strict on it - like for eating & taking breaks. But I’m half-way thru until my followup appt. when hopefully I can ditch the collars completely. I’ll have to look into a soft collar - wasn’t given that option by my surgeon. Thanks again!
I appreciate your videos! Going in tomorrow 6AM for c3-c6. Excited to be out of pain but still nervous! I’m stocked up on yogurt, soup and toilet paper. Thanks for this info! Much appreciated!
Do you feel better after fusing the spine?!
How did it go?
Thank you, so so much!!!
I lived for 13 years with severe foraminal narrowing C5-C7 ... INSANE pain, numbing of right thumb and first two fingers, now has transferred to Left thumb and first three fingers. Right forearm and thumb and pointer finger strength has diminished immensely. I have taken maybe 8,000 ibuprofen in 13 years, migraines every 3-4 months that put me down for 5-6 days in a dark room. Horrible. I am finally meeting a neurosurgeon next week. If anyone knows what CRPS is, you understand what I am going through. I have lost about 75% of my quality of life and I have never taken opioids for it - ever. Wish me luck.. Double ACDF in the near future.. --- Thanks for your videos friend!
Best of luck to you!
I’ve had a 3 level Acdf in 2021 and a 4 level laminectomy in 2023 and also have crps so I sort of understand your pain
Thank you for another great video. I am 16 days out to my C3-C7 ACDF. I will also have the hard collar and a bone stimulator that I see you mentioned in the comments. My neurosurgeon does minimally invasive and I think my incision will be smaller than yours. I was surprised to see how large your incision was but I understand the rationale about owing things around. My surgeon mentioned I may be able to drive the day after surgery and return to work after 3 days but I find that hard to believe.
@cheryldep6316 please do let us know how your surgery goes. I had never heard of a minimally invasive ACDF. The smaller incisions tend to bulge/puff up short term but eventually go down.
Thank you for posting your journey with C3-C7 ACDF. The videos are very encouraging. I will be having the same surgery (C3-C7 ACDF) on Dec 19th. My neck issues started in 2001 when I herniated C5-C6. It has been 22 years of degeneration since then. My current diagnosis is severe multi-level Foraminal Stenosis, Osteophytes, DDD, disc height loss, etc People ask me if I am worried about losing the mobility in my neck after surgery and I tell them that I am more worried about losing the function and fine motor skills in my hands. I have visible muscle atrophy in both hands at this point and reduced sensation. I am hoping to regain some of my strength back or at least stop the progression. In my case, the pain in my right arm was pretty bad for about a year but started to improve a couple months ago after taking some nerve meds but the hand issue remains. Thank you for sharing your story. It gives me hope. Cheryl
Hi hope all went well. I'm 1 week post op now. How did things turn out? Are you feeling better than before surgery? I know I'm only 1 week in but still an feeling some tingling in hands and left leg. Take great care and happy recovery ❤
I’m having surgery on the 30 how are you feeling
I’m feeling much better. The surgeon told me my symptoms all depended on how much damage was already done to the nerves prior to surgery. I guess there was a bit of damage cuz I still get tingling in my legs and numbness as well. Mostly in my knees and below. My hands are still weak and so is my grip. I lost some neck mobility but not much. I’m only 3 months post op so still healing. Going to physio once a week. I hope your surgery goes well. The worst is right after. I felt like my head weight a ton lol. But it gets better with time. The surgery is definitely worth it.
I’m 68 and day 6 post op.Pain is soreness and hurts to swallow.I know it will get better.
Hang in there! Hopefully by now the swallowing has returned to normal for you.
I am about to go into the same surgery with the exception that i alteady have c-4 c5 done and a corpectomy or removel of c-7. The plate will be attached to c3-t1. I hope to get the same mobilty back as you did. Thank u very much for posting this it has helped a lot.
Best of luck to you!