Is anterior cervical discectomy and fusion a major surgery?
ACDF surgery is a major procedure, and you will need to take it easy during your recovery. However, if you are unable to do daily activities within 4-6 weeks of your appointment, you should see your surgeon right away.
How serious is a anterior cervical discectomy and fusion?
Although ACDF is considered a safe procedure and its complications are relatively rare and manageable, some complications may be serious and could last for several weeks to months.
What is the recovery time for anterior cervical discectomy and fusion?
Typically, patients make a full recovery within two to six weeks. After you recover from anterior cervical discectomy and fusion surgery, you should be able to resume regular activity with your range of motion impacted minimally, if at all.
What is the success rate of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion?
ACDF has demonstrated good results in terms of pain relief and patient satisfaction [9]. Its success rate has been reported to achieve good or excellent outcome in 93% [10].
Is cervical fusion a disability?
If you have suffered from a spinal disorder that has resulted in you undergoing spinal fusion, but you are still unable to work, you may be eligible to qualify for Social Security disability benefits.
How serious is neck fusion surgery?
What are the risks? No surgery is without risks. General complications of any surgery include bleeding, infection, blood clots (deep vein thrombosis), and reactions to anesthesia. If spinal fusion is done at the same time as a discectomy, there is a greater risk of complications.
Is neck fusion a disability?
There is no specific disability listing for back surgery or spinal fusion, but if the surgery didn’t correct your impairments, you might meet the requirements of a listing based on the impairments that led you to need back surgery or spinal fusion.
Can you move your neck after cervical fusion?
Exercises and advice post-surgery. The best thing you can do for your neck is to try to relax it and move it as freely and normally as possible. However, for the first few days or weeks after your operation it is normal for your neck to initially be stiff and sore.
Can I live a normal life after ACDF surgery?
Fortunately, ACDF patients typically have good outcomes, both in terms of pain relief and quality of life after the procedure.
Is cervical fusion major surgery?
A single-level cervical fusion involves two adjacent vertebrae in the cervical spine being fused together. While it is a relatively safe and routine procedure, it is still major surgery.
What can you not do after neck fusion?
Limitations. No driving while on narcotics or if you were given a neck brace to wear. No lifting more than 5 pounds (about a gallon of milk) for the first 2 weeks after surgery. No lifting more than 25 pounds for an additional 4 weeks (six weeks total).