Anterior Cervical Discectomy

[Nelly1]

Anyone had a Anterior Cervical Discectomy?

Having the operation on 17th November.

[Hidden]

I haven’t had it, but my surgeon is eager to get mri from me, as he’s not sure my bones will heal. And I’m petrified to have mri, due to claustrophobia I wish you all the luck, I truly hope you recover quickly, mind you I’m told it’s months of recovery, but we are all different.

Here’s looking to a better life for you, and pain free one. Take care, and take it easy after the operation.

Let us know how you get on.

[Nelly1 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you, it’s a big operation but it needs to be done, I have hardly any movement in my neck and my right arm is in constant spasms as it’s trapping the nerve. Good luck with the MRI

[Latics1989-90 in reply to Nelly1]

Hi

I do hope everything goes well with your forthcoming surgery. Please let us know how you get on xxxx

[Latics1989-90 in reply to Hidden]

Hi

Sorry to interrupt but I've heard that you can have sedation if you will find MRI hard to cope with. Please let us know how you get on

[Hidden in reply to Latics1989-90]

Hi, your not interrupting, thank you for advice.Problem is, my doctor won’t give me a sedative, as I react badly, so my surgeons hands are tied.

[Latics1989-90 in reply to Hidden]

You are very welcome I'm so sorry to hear this xxxx

[Hidden in reply to Latics1989-90]

Thank you. Xx

[Latics1989-90 in reply to Hidden]

You are very welcome xxxx

[new-day-tommrow in reply to Hidden]

hi blue 52 are you in UK if so some hospitals have large MRI machines as I can't go in normal ones and you don't know your in an MRI machine, also you can ask to be referred to a walk in one you sit on a chair with no front ask your doc about options

[Hidden in reply to new-day-tommrow]

Thank you, when I can finally get through lol.

[Shaza-1970]

I had one back in 2012. And all was ok.

[Nelly1 in reply to Shaza-1970]

Hi, what was the recovery time please? If you don’t mind me asking? I know we are all different but a rough idea would be good?

[Shaza-1970 in reply to Nelly1]

I was grand. On co codamol and rested in bed. Just took it slow for couple of weeks. Are u having fusion too.

[Nelly1 in reply to Shaza-1970]

Yes I am Thank you

[Shaza-1970 in reply to Nelly1]

R u in the -UK. As I know Americans put a collar on you. I’d had a set of injections in my top of back first. And dr would’nt give me another set as if it didn’t last a great deal of time so was only giving the option on the operation. I had c4 c5 c6 out. And fused. I did watch the procedure on you tube beforehand and was concerned but honestly I was fine.

[Nelly1 in reply to Shaza-1970]

Yes I’m in the Uk, the consultant did mention having a collar. Wow, 3 in one go?

I had the injections too but didn’t do anything for me at all.

Thank you

[Shaza-1970 in reply to Nelly1]

I never had the collar I’d a wonderful surgeon. And due to nhs waiting list went private. I would still have spasms in my arm. I don’t think it worked greatly. I believe it’s because the nerves were trapped for so long. But it’s definitely worth a go. I think they did them all together because of the risk working round the spinal cord is very risky. Hope all goes well for u. Good strong pain killers should be enough. Hope to hear from you that it wasn’t an issue and went great fir you.

[LibbyWick]

Yes, I had a double a few years ago.

[Nelly1 in reply to LibbyWick]

Hi, what was the recovery time please? If you don’t mind me asking? I know we are all different but a rough idea would be good?

[LibbyWick in reply to Nelly1]

I was amazed. I was on my feet next day and doing so well I was allowed home that day. Obviously my neck was very swollen and bruised but the impact of the op itself was miraculous. 6 weeks of being very careful. Weekly assessments. I was so scared of the op but honestly life changing. 😊

[Nelly1 in reply to LibbyWick]

Thank you LibbyWick, certainly puts my mind at rest a little.

[Zelda01]

Hi Nelly1.I had mine on the 7th May 2021. Please don't worry you will be fine. I have multi level ddd/ stenosis. It has helped a great deal. I went to see neurosurgeon who told me I needed the op.And it went well. Wen in in the morning and came home the next afternoon. 14 staples in neck. Its healing lovely no ugly scar as he cut where the natural lines are. But please please listen to what he says and physio say for after op. Rest as much as you can. No lifting. No house work 6 weeks . No driving for at least 8/10 weeks.. ect. You will be surprised at the muscles we actually use without realising.

All the best for your op

NanP

[Nelly1 in reply to Zelda01]

Thank you, it was more the thought of the scar on my neck but you have reassured me. I will listen to what the consultant says. I’ve had different stories / versions of recovery time from 2 weeks to several weeks? Neil

[Zelda01 in reply to Nelly1]

Hi. You could feel better within a week or two its the aftercare and taking it easy. You will need help and don't be afraid to ask. Please let me know how you get on. Good luck for Nov. Xx

[Zelda01]

Forgot to say I didn't have a collar. My surgeon doesn't like to use them. You could have one it depends on the surgeon. Xx

[Nelly1 in reply to Zelda01]

Thank you x He did mention a collar, I have a pre op consent appointment with him next Tuesday x

[Sufferings]

Just want to wish you well on your pending operation. Please let us know how it goes. Wendy

😊

[Nelly1 in reply to Sufferings]

Thank you x

[Beakybird58]

Hi, I had my first anterior cervical fusion c3- c 7. In 2009. I wasn’t put in a collar. I recovered within 9 weeks and was back nursing 3 days a week.Unfortunately my pain/ numbness in arms and headaches returned a few years later. Further investigations( under different surgeon) revealed the metal work was lose so had a revision c3-c7 with bone graft from hip. I was then put in a hard collar immediately post op. The plate was difficult to remove and a screw had snapped! So when I went back for my follow up fully expecting to be told all was well and I could take the dam collar off I was told that I needed a posterior fusion. As a screw was too close to my spinal cord.

. I waited a further 8-9 weeks for this. It was far worse than the anterior ones. They fused from C3 to T 3… that’s 8 vertebrae. It was extremely painful. And because I’d been wearing a collar for so long , all my neck muscles were weak. I felt I had to hold my head when I eventually took it off.

But that was back in 2009 and now, apart from occasional headaches I’m ok. I have limited movement in my neck but can still drive.( my X-ray looks like I’ve got the Eiffel Tower in there!)

I think my case was unusual and unlucky.

I wish you the best of luck with your surgery. My advice is to drink smoothies & soup to start with as swallowing can be affected. X

[Nelly1 in reply to Beakybird58]

Hi Beakybird58, Sorry to hear you had so many issues with yours. Glad to hear you finally got it sorted out.

Thank you for the information, I have a pre op consent appointment next week with the consultant to go through the operation and recovery.

Take care

Neil x

[Beakybird58 in reply to Nelly1]

Good luck. I’m sure you will do well. I think they’re more inclined to use collars these days. The immobilising of the cervical spine will aid bone fusion.Unfortunately my lumbar spine is shot now- have 4 discs bulging/ prolapsing.!Surgery hasn’t been mentioned yet, am trying to strengthen core but it’s difficult to do sit ups with a fused neck!

It’s also worth getting one of those V-shaped pillows, as supporting your arms post op really helps with discomfort.

So let us know how you get on. x

[Nelly1 in reply to Beakybird58]

Thank you xI will keep you posted.

I’m sorry to hear your issues I’m sure you will be offered surgery, it’s taken me 3 years + to get this far so not easy dealing with the extra pain for that length of time x

I will look into the pillow but I have sort of found a semi comfortable position when I Sleep x

[BaffledKaffy]

I had a cervical disc fusion, C-5, C-6. I was in a metal/wire brace after, then a soft collar. The many tests beforehand were worse to me than the 6-week recovery time. At least the old adage that “pain fades, like childbirth” is true in my case: I know now that all the tests and recovery were worth it to replace the horribly ruptured disc causing weakness in my arm. (The surgeon worked for two hours to remove the pieces of that shattered disc.)My surgery was many, many years ago, and I’m sure they’ve improved the procedure in all this time, but I cannot imagine having corrective surgery on EIGHT discs at one time Beakybird. I now have 9 damaged discs (scattered) but two surgeons have advised against more surgery: they say “I would have a broomstick for a spine ….. if there were even ways to connect each of the fusions.” Best wishes for your surgery and recovery Nelly1 … !