Question 1

recovery/down time post acdf c6/c7? what is the post op recovery like?

Accepted Answer

Depends on how : Surgery is done- bone graft from your own hip region known as an iliac graft and whether any plate or instrumentation is used.  However, for most it is less than a 24 hour stay in hospital with average healing time in a nonsmoker of about 12 weeks with restrictions/activities guided by need for a brace or not as well as use of medication that may affect you so discuss this fully with your surgeon.

Question 2

what is average weight limit, restrictions for a period of time after a 2 levels acdf surgery? could this have been brought on from avoiding a fall?

Accepted Answer

6 weeks: Most patients will be asked to restrict activities for about 6 weeks after ACDF surgery, with a typical recommendation being no lifting more than a gallon of milk (about 7 pounds).  However, each surgeon will have their own specific instructions.  Avoiding a fall could be a cause, depending on exactly what happened and the severity of the stress upon the neck.

Question 3

can one do  zumba and high impact aerobics including tennis after a certain amount of time and when following acdf neck surgery?

Accepted Answer

Certainly: Always consult with your surgeon when. But absolutely you may resume even contact sports like pro football after single level fusion is solid. Generally, this is the 3-6 month time frame after surgery. It is dependent on numerous factors: bone quality, plate/screws used, type of bone graft, xray appearance, etc.

Question 4

neurosurgeon performing acdf of c5 c6 next week.  what is a resonable estimate of  healing time needed before i resume playing golf and other sports?

Accepted Answer

Neurosurgery: Based on whether a graft is placed the recovery time averages about 8 weeks sometimes a bit longer.

Question 5

i had a double acdf on c5/6 and c6/7 on 5 october and appear to have healed very well. over the past few weeks, i have developed a feeling of a lump in my throat that makes me want to throw up at times. no sore throat. i have to clear my throat often?

Accepted Answer

Need to examine: It is not feasible to provide a meaningful opinion without additional history, physical examination and may be some tests.  Try gargling with warm salt solution, if that does not help it  would be prudent to see a doctor. Wish you good health!

Question 6

how long after an acdf does pain
go away?

Accepted Answer

Post surgical pain: Post op pain usually take upto  4- 6 wks to heal. Having sais that it is all based on the severity of the problem to start with prior to surgery and how successful the surgery was.

Question 7

what are the pros and cons of 2 level acdf vs 2 level artificial discs?

Accepted Answer

Motion: There are pros/cons of both procedures, but they both should alleviate cervical disc related radiculopathy and have basically the same surgical risks.
Fusion Pro: standard, well understood, routine.
Disc Pro: Preserve motion (less stiff), possibly less adjacent segment degeneration, short recovery
Fusion Con: stiffness, incr. adjacent segment breakdown,
Disc Con: facet arthritis, revise to fusion

Question 8

once an acdf with titanium hardware is completely healed, are deep tissue massages permitted?

Accepted Answer

ACDF: Once may patients are healed, (usually 3 months), for the soft tissues I allow my patients to have deep tissue massage

Question 9

my acdf didn't work.  i'm in more pain then i used to be.  what are my options besides living with pain?

Accepted Answer

2nd opinion: Did your fusion not &#x27;take&#x27;? See your ORS if continued pain&amp;#40; esp. if down arm or continued weakness &amp;#41;. May want to consider getting a second opinion from an experienced ORS who specializes in spine.Get examined w/ new radiologic studies&amp;#40; if needed&amp;#41;.Most ACDF patients improve markedly after surgery.If you have a failed&amp;#40;unfused level&amp;#40;s&amp;#41; or a new disc&#x27;wearing&#x27; out then a redo&#x27; fusion may be helpful.Gl

Question 10

in an acdf fusion surgery , does that mean the fusion will last forever?

Accepted Answer

Yes the purpose of : The surgery is to remove  disc & to achieve a fusion at that level for symptom relief. If the fusion fails to be achieved, there may be ongoing symptoms of that although some fail to fuse but remain free of symptoms. An alternative is an artificial disc replacement in select individuals.  The surgery and its indications, risks, benefits as well as alternatives are best discussed with the surgeon.

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Doctor answers about:

Acdf recovery time

A member asked:

Recovery/down time post acdf c6/c7? what is the post op recovery like?

A member asked:

What is average weight limit, restrictions for a period of time after a 2 levels acdf surgery? could this have been brought on from avoiding a fall?

A member asked:

Can one do zumba and high impact aerobics including tennis after a certain amount of time and when following acdf neck surgery?

A member asked:

Neurosurgeon performing acdf of c5 c6 next week. what is a resonable estimate of healing time needed before i resume playing golf and other sports?

A member asked:

I had a double acdf on c5/6 and c6/7 on 5 october and appear to have healed very well. over the past few weeks, i have developed a feeling of a lump in my throat that makes me want to throw up at times. no sore throat. i have to clear my throat often?

A member asked:

How long after an acdf does pain go away?

A member asked:

What are the pros and cons of 2 level acdf vs 2 level artificial discs?

A member asked:

Once an acdf with titanium hardware is completely healed, are deep tissue massages permitted?

A member asked:

My acdf didn't work. i'm in more pain then i used to be. what are my options besides living with pain?

A member asked:

In an acdf fusion surgery , does that mean the fusion will last forever?

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