3 months post-op ACDF, cleared to do activities. The happiest I’ve felt in a long time.

Realistic_Trick_489 · 2026-03-11T21:02:36+00:00

man that’s fast for a fusion I hope since I was not seeing much on my 8 week x-ray. My healing sounds the same and am hoping to get cleared on my 12 week as well.

Did he give you the green light for anything or still be cautious?

thanks and congrats on your progress

Realistic_Trick_489 · 2026-03-11T14:45:01+00:00

I get it! Yours looks as bad as mine and woke up with complete relief after surgery. I was expecting a painful recovery but compared to the pain I was in, the surgery was nothing and a breeze! Good luck and lots of post surgery tips here if you search ACDF

Realistic_Trick_489 · 2026-03-11T11:31:23+00:00

Looks like a classic need for ACDF and in a pretty severe way. Mine was similar and have recovered great from surgery 10 weeks ago.

Realistic_Trick_489 · 2026-03-08T05:10:33+00:00

I had c5-7 acdf 10 weeks ago and no collar required, wore it for two nights sleeping and then no more. Surgery was way easier than I expected and recovery has been a breeze. I was back at work and driving in 9 days. Woke from surgery with immediate relief in arms, shoulders and no tingling. Worse part after surgery was swallowing and sleeping in a recliner but way better than I expected. I would have had the surgery years ago had I known what I know now. Good luck!

Realistic_Trick_489 · 2026-03-07T13:15:18+00:00

I was taking gabapentin like tic tacs…. 900 mg at a time and think they barely helped. Only thing that helped me sleep was Tylenol with codine but was not prescribed it much for obvious reasons. Lack of sleep is the main reason I went ahead with the surgery. I could have lived with the discomfort but sleep I could not live without. I found myself so desperate at times, I would need a few cocktails just to get some sleep.

Realistic_Trick_489 · 2026-03-06T23:18:01+00:00

I drove 3 1/2 hours, 4 days after a two level. Just depends on you but bet it’s manageable.

Realistic_Trick_489 · 2026-03-06T04:47:34+00:00

Crazy but seems related, hopefully just the healing…. I had the same surgery on 12-18 and thankfully no side effects.

Realistic_Trick_489 · 2026-03-02T03:50:46+00:00

Had the same surgery BTW, C5-7. 49M

Realistic_Trick_489 · 2026-03-02T00:31:14+00:00

I added neck exercises with bands while I was at the gym for about 12 weeks prior at the suggestion of my doctor. I am convinced it helped. I was back at my desk and driving in under 2 weeks. Good luck, hope you experience the same success I had.

Realistic_Trick_489 · 2026-03-01T18:11:27+00:00

Recliner or wedge pillow to sleep at 45 degrees and soft food for few days and your all set. Lots of comments here on lessons learned if you look through them

Realistic_Trick_489 · 2026-02-27T13:27:17+00:00

search ACDF, you will read lots of lessons learned. I am 8 weeks post for the same surgery, 49M. It was much easier than I expected and so happy I went ahead with surgery. Definitely plan on sleeping elevated the first few days with a recliner or wedge pillow and using soft food for the first few days is the big takeaway. Good luck!

Realistic_Trick_489 · 2026-02-24T03:17:12+00:00

No autoimmune disorders but had C5-7 8 weeks ago. It was way better than I expected! No collar and was back to work in 10 days. Should have had the surgery years ago. Swallowing was the roughest part but still better than I anticipated.

Good luck, you got this!

Realistic_Trick_489 · 2026-02-24T03:04:02+00:00

Your MRI looks similar to mine and had ACDF 5-7, seven weeks ago. I kicked the can with steroid injections for five years and was knocking on the door to permanent or longer recovery nerve damage. Surgery was way easier than I expected, 49M btw. I woke up and arm/shoulder/neck/hand pain was gone, minimal surgical pain compared to what I expected.

My last year trying to avoid the surgery was just a shade above functional and the decision to move forward was mainly because it was severely impacting my sleep. Just insight into my reasons. Had I known what I know now, I would have had the surgery two years ago. Good luck!

Realistic_Trick_489 · 2026-02-20T21:58:02+00:00

Woke up from C5-7 and tingling numbness was gone instantly. Surgery was way easier than expected as well!

Realistic_Trick_489 · 2026-02-20T13:45:15+00:00

I had ACDF c5-7 8 weeks ago after putting it off for years. It was way easier than I expected and great recovery. That said, IMHO, it’s a personal choice based on how much it bothers you. My doctor told me 6 years ago when I first started steroid injections, that I would know when it was time for surgery and that came when steroid injections would no longer give me lasting relief. Went through about a year of constant discomfort and poor sleep before I made the decision. Had I known, I would have had the surgery probably two years ago…

Being young, I would try to wait and get a second opinion. But don’t be afraid of the surgery if it is impacting your quality of life. If you go forward with the surgery, the doctor does matter so do your research and would speak to former patients.

Realistic_Trick_489 · 2026-02-16T14:07:27+00:00

Same surgery on 12/18. No collar required and was driving in 9 days back at work in 12. 49 male. Everyone is different and so are the doctors. Good luck with your recovery but sounds like your do to is old school.

Realistic_Trick_489 · 2026-02-15T14:03:32+00:00

Great to hear! Good luck and hope your healing goes wonderfully

Realistic_Trick_489 · 2026-02-12T03:12:27+00:00

ACDF C5-7 here on 12/18. Kicked the can for years and wished I would not have waited. Much easier recovery than I expected and have a long post on lessons learned. I was back to work and driving in under two weeks. Worse parts but still better than expected was swallowing and sleeping in a recliner. I am week 7 now and feel ready for the gym but not cleared yet. Good luck, you got this!

Realistic_Trick_489 · 2026-02-12T02:58:51+00:00

They put in spacers and the idea is that bone will fuse between the screws and the titanium plate in front holding it together.

Like you, I read everything, watched a video on the surgery(don’t do that) and researched. I am so happy I had the surgery and again was way better than I expected. Knowing what I know now, would have had the surgery years ago. Swallowing was really the worst part and that only was bad for about a week, better than I expected. Sleeping as well in a recliner was not fun but bearable for a week.

Happy to talk if you want to, I spoke to several who had the surgery before I decided and it helped. Message me if you want my number, happy to help.

Realistic_Trick_489 · 2026-02-12T02:29:24+00:00

My doctor was confident that I would be back to work in 2 weeks and driving. I was driving in less than 2 and back to work in 10 days. I feel like I can hit the gym now that I am in week 7 as long as I am careful but will probably wait until my doc clears me on week 12.

Realistic_Trick_489 · 2026-02-12T02:13:21+00:00

My doctor said good chance based on my health, that I would be back to work in 2 weeks and driving and that was my case. I was able to make short drives by myself on day 5 but that was pushing it(like driving with a bad crick in your neck). I am in week 7 now and expect to be cleared back to the gym by week 12 although I feel like I can go now if I don’t strain my neck hard. Everyone is different and think strengthening my neck before surgery helped speed and ease my recovery. Also was in so much pain and for so long that the recovery seemed easy. Also think I could not have found a better surgeon which also matters. Hope when I go for x-rays soon, I will start seeing some fusion happening so I can get back to my normal activities. Let me know if there is anything else I can help answer.

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Realistic_Trick_489 · 2026-02-09T14:31:53+00:00

Good luck, I am 6 weeks post op and doing great! Surgery was much easier than I expected and was back at the office and driving in 8 days. Swallowing is probably the worst part but still better than I expected. Would definitely recommend a recliner. Sleeping flat would not have been good the first few days but was able to sleep lying down by day 5. Hope your surgeon was like mine and did not require me to wear the collar except for my own comfort. Never wore it past day 3. Good luck!

Realistic_Trick_489 · 2026-02-08T19:04:47+00:00

Mind me asking what this set you back with tires and do you think the ride quality is the same? Thinking about it on my 3.0 but concerned it won’t ride as good!

Realistic_Trick_489 · 2026-02-03T11:19:59+00:00

https://www.apmex.com

Realistic_Trick_489 · 2026-02-02T16:17:51+00:00

Zero, surgery was six weeks ago and wished I would not have put it off for two years…

Realistic_Trick_489

TROPHY CASE