CERVICAL STENOSIS RADICULOPATHY - PART 5 - ACDF 

Great video, I had mine done on Monday December 12th. I’m doing great, no more pain and tingling. Walked a mile today. What a difference.

Very well explained… unfortunately my ACDF levels 4-5-5-6 after 4 years, I’m still struggling. It was a failure. I’m basically just taking it day by day with the meds. My. Neurosurgeon said that my spinal cord was damage and there was nothing left he could do, I hope for everyone to be as successful on their surgery.

It's nice to have a better understanding of what the surgery was, what happened and its purpose. Thank you

Thank you for posting these videos!!! When it was clear I needed to get surgery they really helped me understand the myelopathy, the types of surgery available, and the risks so I was able to have better conversations with my surgeon. Showing your videos to my parents also helped them understand and be less fearful of what would happen. I had one level ACDF last week and am doing very well. Thank you again! :)

Thank you for more clarity on what to expect. This was so helpful to reduce my anxiety. I m having c4-5, c-5-6, c6-7. I have been and guess still scared a little. Wish you were doing my surgery, But think I have one of the best Doctors in the Atl. area.

I worked in the OR in the UK for 30+ yrs. My father collapsed, paralysed, could only breath. Thankfully, I got him transferred to a surgeon I 1st assisted for. But, it took 7 days. After surgery( cage 2 levels) he started limb movement. In 3 mnth, fully walking independently. I use to love assisting this op. But, when you see the results 1st hand - it's beyond amazing !

My husband just had this surgery yesterday with Dr Hsu from Rothman in Pa. Everything you explained is how things have been going thus far. It was refreshing to hear your explanation.

This is so good. I had 3,4,5,6 fusion it has been 10 years. Now I am having pain and lack of function of pointer and middle finger in both hands. It wakes me at night. I drop things and I am 72. This helps with explaining surgery it was the easiest surgery I ever went through, and helped my pain intensity. I feel I have the post surgery arthritic changes. I did have replacement screw c7. 6 weeks after first surgery to put in larger screw. The first surgery took 6 hours. Thank you.

This is THE best video I’ve found for ACDF. I feel so much more educated and informed. My surgery is 10/4/2023

Awesome. It's been 8 years since my three level fusion in the cervical spine. I am just now learning from this video what it was! I have had pain and turns out my c6c7 did not fuse and the screws are loose. I would love to see a video entailing how that would be repaired. Great video.

Ty for the info I'm going for my surgery this week n yes I'm alittle nerves with the procedure but I'm hoping for the best an a speedy recovery

I had my surgery February 17 and I'm doing awesome compared to before I had to have it or I was going to go paralyzed happy i did it because it started to affect my walking and. My feet would feel ice cold even if the heat was on 90 tingling burning in my legs omg I was going through it for months happy I had the surgery

Thank you Dr Su for taking the time to do this video, your video was very concise and educational. You are the Best!

These videos are fantastic. I was hoping to avoid surgery at all costs but these vids more than others have given me some optimism. Thanks.

You are awesome with your explanations

Very informative..thank you so much!

Wonderful video!!!!

Hi Dr Su finally had my C5/6/7 ACDF six weeks ago we have had many messages back and forth and my two discs were completely collapsed.. it’s been one hell of a journey but as soon as I was out of surgery there was immediate relief not only has height been restored disc space but also 24mm to 28mm at base skull.. curve corrected I can finally rest my head on car headrest when I drive!

Thank you Dr. Brian for this very thorough explanation of ACDF. I met with a surgeon yesterday and frankly, I left thinking Hell No! While I am still not convinced that this procedure is worth it, your explanation makes a lot of sense. Right now I'm weighing my current discomfort level with the risks of surgery and that at best, there may only be a 50% improvement from what I understand. Thank you for making the procedure clear

You are an exceptional doctor!

Thank you for sharing the way you explained everything puts me at ease even though I trust my neurosurgeon he did my back in 2015 with great success. I’ll be having ACDF 03-11-24

Excellent, informative video. Thank you!

Thank you so much for your clear explanation of this procedure, your knowledge and expertise is much appreciated ❤

I had this procedure done in 2002 after a fall on a concrete floor at work. I had C5-6 C6-7 level done with cadaver bone put in. I had to fight with workman comp each and every step of the way. It took 14 and a half months to have an MRI and 22 and a half months to have the surgery. After surgery, I developed a crack in the C7-T-1 level. My surgeon got tired of waiting for workmans comp to approve the revision, so he went ahead and did the second surgery. In doing do, he found the crack had healed. He removed the plate and I have it on my Keychain. I have arthritis above and below my fusion. Heat helps. I highly recommend this surgery if your surgeon says you need it. I am thankful I had it. It took the pain and numbness from my arms and hands. This is an easy recovery. I say this after having both knees and my right hip replaced many years after my neck fusion.

this was such a great video. i am having the procedure done within the next 10 days. makes me feel tons better. thank you for addressing every question. 😎

Thank you for posting these video's, very helpful !!

I have a C4 to C6 neck bulge with mild stenosis & Radiculopathy in the left arm . i’m also having neurological issues because of nerve impingement . this exactly what I have to have !

Thank you for the information, it was very easy to understand.

thank you so much for this information!

Talk about a good video !!! Great job!

This was a wonderful video! Thank you so much!!!

Thanks a lot sir, all of my queries were covered in this video ❤

Watched several like this, and this was the best by far! 👍

Thank's Dr Su Excellent - I was just scheduled for the exact procedure--It's a real education Thank you

I think I am going to need this surgery very soon....Ty for posting

Just had surgery last Dec. 14, 2022 and so far I'm doung well. Thank you so much for this wonderful video, I learned and understand more about ACDF.

Having this done in 2 weeks in St. Louis. Cant wait.

Excellent video! You’ve put my mind at ease, as I am scheduled for this procedure next month. I got 17 years use out of my first surgery of C5-7 and now need to have C3-4 done. I was looking for answers regarding neck movement post op which you explained. Thank you.

Thankyou for the information

Thank you very much for doing this video! I’m very worried about my surgery & this makes me feel a little better.

Can you please talk about opll and why corpectomy is the suitable surgery

I really like your teaching technique. No frills, hand held word definition charts x MRI analysis with physical pointer and models that you draw on! Fantastic

Thank you. I watched all the videos. Just found out I have sever deterioration from c4-c7. Multiple pinched nerves on the right side. I’ll be seeing a spine surgeon next week. Pretty nervous. Out of all the surgeries I think I’d prefer the posterior one. If I qualify

I’m having surgery Monday January 17th I feel very comfortable with Dr Su and this video pulls it together, wish me luck 🍀

I had one done 12 years ago. Going in for surgery again has something to do with the nerve and C4.

Now all i need to do is work out what do with my pace maker i can then make my return to heavy weight boxing .......Like a champ ...

❤ 2023 I had 3 level fusion neck 1st March 😢 yes still early pain but no more tingling just recieved bone stimulator now makes healing quicker. put this surgery off never do that !! you will feel better my doctor great I'm 71 2017 had fusion in back I still hurt exercise good thank you for your video . why did my Doctor not have me to wear neck brace ? things might have changed

👍Very informative ! Thanks ! 👍 ❇️#ACDF 語意：由頸前方入路，清除病變的椎間盤全部後，置入充填物於原椎盤所在空間，再加以合金鋼板和螺釘固定，期待滿6-12月後該關節發生骨融合而被完全固定不可動。 🌹3:07 手術過程需時 一節:1 hr 兩節:1.5hr 三節:2hr 🌹手術圖示 5:15 5:43 🌹硬膜扯傷有時難完全避免，機會3％，但不被視為嚴重併發症，修補即可 6:23 🌹6:53 完全清除椎盤和磨去贅生骨刺後，置入適當高度Cage維持正常椎盤空間後，並植入骨以供融合，再用小合金板和螺釘鎖定相鄰的上下椎體，目的在確保接下來一年骨融合過程關節保持穩定。 🌹#NonUnion 術後不融合的機會10:52, 即使有，通常也不見得增加術後症狀惡化，其機會為: 一節融合術:10% 二節融合術:20% 三節融合術:30% 🌹術後活動受限程度12:03 🌹臨近的上下頸椎關節的術後加速退化病變現象adjacent level disease 12:55 #每年平均以3％增加，10年則是30％機會發生退化#加重(相對於未手術時的自然退化)。 而因adjacent level disease #10年後需再手術的機會是10％ 13:42 🌹融合術後頸圈穿戴: 14:24 一節融合: 軟頸圈戴6週 兩節或兩節以上融合: 硬頸圈戴3個月 14:36 術後三個月開始物理治療，滿4個月或可回GYM 🌹該節術後通常至少半年至一年才完全骨融合！

Dear doctor been diagnosised with stenosis watch all your videos have problem with c7 since I was in a job recently my pain is so severe my mum can't understand, had pain in my neck 😢 numbess in both my arms and legs pain in my lower back also had trouble walking, my Doctor has been amazing, can't get into the specialist till December , I have also been bleeding and problems with bowels and urine, however I tried going to a physiotherapist while waiting ,made me worse extreme pain from physiotherapy, and then I get on to utube with another Doctor saying what not to do when you have stenosis , he did it all, 😢 nobody understands how painful this condition is how to I help them understand I'm in extreme pain , appreciate your videos

Is anterior surgery better than posterior laminectomy with fixation surgery ?

I just had it done on July 29th,now starting the recovery process, I had C5, C6, and C7 and now I am wearing a Collar

Great video well explained, how common is level 4 acdf, that seems to be the prognosis for me seeing another neurosuergon tomorrow, Thx for any info.

Do you have any physical therapy videos for the lumbar spine. I liked your video on PT for tech neck.

Does ACDF process remove the osteophytes which have been compressing the nerve roots at the nerve exits so it combines foraminotomy and well as diskectomy? I have stenosis in four places, two of which I think are giving the symptoms of pain and weakness down my right arm which are being described as severe stenosis which could compromise nerve roots, which they are. The surgeon wants to do an injection at c5/6 to see if it improves things by shrinking the nerve so as to diagnose the level, and then inject at one of the other levels if there is no improvement - I don't know if this will continue for the four levels, not if there is a difference from the first injection, I guess. The indications to suggest c5/6 injection first are because my thumb is affected. This video on ACDF does make it clear that posterior foraminotomy is now out of the picture and I can see why the surgeon has suggested the former because there is now further change in the disc (I had posterior decompression in 2004 or microdiscectomy as it was called which didn't involve removal of the disc though it was thinned out so as not to have a bulge again.) With the formation of osteophytes and discs together which I now see are being called discophytes I do have osteophytes across the nerve roots and what's been called tethering, so here's hoping fusion will take away this horrible nerve pain which is like a spider with electric feet running across my thumb pad and the deep cramp in the arm and hand will be lifted when with fusion the space is created and the pressure is lifted off. I am sorry to go on, but it is so hard to have this sharing of symptoms with people who are not experiencing this kind of spine manifestation and pain and I am so pleased to hear of people who are doing so well after surgery. My other question to Dr Su is given you say the bone fuses and grows together over the cage in six months to a year, can osteophytes form again over that period? Thank you and wishing all well in these comments with thanks to Dr Su for his sharing information in such a clear and dedicated way.

Dr. Su you are really awesome… i feel that I’m sitting at a class in Med school…! Can you kindly share your thoughts on chiropractic care for spine health or even things like herniated or bulged disc… is it beneficial or damaging?

I just had this (C4-7) with bone graft. Why is the cage used sometimes?

I was recently diagnosed with pinched nerves on my C6 and L5 😥

C4-c7 ACDF 9 weeks since my surgery but pain on the back of my neck como and goes no start my PT yet hope that help me

I am having C5 to T1 ACDF next week

Is it right for SURGEON to do this kind of surgery on someone without doing assessment or discussion with the person? Thank you for your videos.

Thank you for reassuring me after I had this surgery. I was/am upset that I still have pain, 5 weeks post surgery. (I’ve recovered within 2 weeks after two knee replacements) but from what you say, I am overly optimistic.

Hi Dr Su, thank you for this video. Just walked in, returning from a neurosurgery appointment where ACDF was discussed as an elective. What city do you practice out of?

I have hardware in my neck but every time I go through a metal detector it don't beep

How I wish I could just walk in your facility and this service. I have compression on 2 discs 😭but no resources for surgery and my hands are almost nonfunctional

That s extremely well explained. What about pain after surgery? How long is pain med taken post OP ? Do patients “feel” something different in their neck ? Thanks for that video 👊🏻

Why do pinching in my right side of my neck can it be a pinch nuve

very interesting video. I had this surgery done on C3-C4 , after i broke my neck in an accident 5 years ago. I was completely paralysed but learned to walk again and gained some of my motor functions back. After 5 years, no more progress is noticable. I can't help but wonder if maybe my spinal cord can be fixed, if maybe something went wrong in the surgery... Do you have any suggestions or help for me? I really want things to be the same as before again, i'm 20 now and had my accident when i was 15

Dr. Brian, besides cervical stenosis Radiculopathy, what other cervical stenosis a patient might have. I was diagnosed with cervical stenosis and advised for surgery which I declined. So exactly how many kinds of cervical spinal stenosis on the spine?

Dr so the vagus nerve phrenic nerve and long thoracic nerve is not in the way? I am concerned about those and the carotid artery also some people can't swallow and talk properly permanently. but posterior is more painful and harder recovery.

I had ACDF c3-c7 my movement is not good but there's no scar

What is side effects of C6/C7 ACDF?

What about monitoring the recurrent laryngeal nerve to avoid permanent voice and swallowing issues?

Does C6/C7 fusion impact mobility significantly? Is there also a higher risk of adjacent degenerative disease with a C6/C7 fusion?

Hello sir acdf surgery finees how many time fine

Hi Dr Su, I would like to know what the stats are on revision for someone with hypermobile Ehlers Danlos needing ACDF single level C4/5? I'm 39, multi DDD, osteph. complex with foraminal stenosis and compression on c5.. not certain if fusion is best approach ...alsteuggling to find information of hEDS stats for cervical fusion. Any reference material suggestions will be appreciated. Regards from Namibia

Hi I have a question involving naturally fused C5,C6, and C7, I'm in so much pain in my neck, and both shoulders. I have headaches on my left side more then I have in my right. I'm unable to turn my head fully left and right, I can not left my head up fully so when drinking anything I have to drink out of a straw. My question is can it be or is it safe to have surgery to fix it or is it possible to be fixed?

I watched the video and it was very informative. I would rather have the surgery done from the back instead of the front but I guess that is not done. I have weak muscles in my neck already which makes it hard to swallow. The pain is unbearable but the surgery still terrifies me.

Hi, I had four level ACDF bc of spinal stenosis and eventually (it takes time!) recovered. A quick question: Several years later (recently )I got rear ended and have whiplash. I am exhausted, in continuous pain, five months of physical therapy, I wonder if my ACDF makes my whiplash different. If you need ACDF, I don’t mean to alarm you! It’s just my bad luck another driver crashed into me. I am not blaming ACDF, I just wonder if patients recover from accidents differently.

Gracias dr su por la Sirujia que me realizó mi nombre es Gabriel González lopez

Resultados de traducción hi doctor Su, I have C4, C5, C6 in the cervical, but I went to 2 surgeons, one said that I don't need surgery that my nerves are fine, and the other says that I do,because it bites my nerves a lot and it hurts the head and shoulders (he will only put a metal only to separate the discs, because the C6 will separate by itself, etc, and I don't know what to do. Please help me, can I show you my MRI?. Thank you very much

Whats better method to decompress C5 C6 nerve root, ACDF or the DRX9000? Although the pain was for almost 13 months with numbness, needles and weakness on the right side. And what happens if ACDF operation was without screws and plates.

Hello Dr, I'm contemplating surgery C5-7. I've had the numbness and pain manageable for at least 10 years with ESI and still gets me at least 5 months without pain. If I have adjacent level problem, when do you stop fusing other level? Meaning eventually every level will have to be fused. Also, what about people with Osteoporosis? Can I don't do surgery and just do ESI every year?

Hi I may have to get this surgery (multilevel) and am very worried I won’t be able to do sports or weight lifting in the gym. How likely is it I would be able to do those if I get this surgery?

What happens when the fused neck bone compresses the spinal cord? creating myelopathy???

How common is adjacent disc disease after c56

Hi, I went to see a Dr that uses Ultrasonic technology, what do you think of that? The operation is behind the Neck for this Cervical Stenosis Radiculopathy

Can you recommend a surgeon in Connecticut I have four herniated disc in my neck C5 to C8 and I have a dead worm because of it and I was in a truck accident two years ago and broke my L1 and now my left foot is getting ice cold

Hello Dr Su, My wife has spine stenosis and nerve compression which giving her shoulder, arm pains. We are going to consult a Spine Center this week. 5 years back she was diagnosed with cervical radiculopathy(nerve pinch) and 2 years back MRI revealed some cord compression(disc herniation and bone spur). Her pain comes back once in 2 years and lasts for a month and goes away and comes back. We will consult a spine specialist now and see her progression. She only has low myelopathy based on your earlier video. Should we see Ortho Surgeon or Neuro Surgeon? Because both bone and spine is involved here? And many thanks for your videos and we are better prepared mentally to deal with this.

You have allayed a lot my fears and anxiety about my cervical disc disease. I have multilevel foraminal stenosis c2-t1 , most likely arthritic . I’m dealing with the pain just fine PT, combining 200 mg Motrin and 500 acetaminophen 2 x per day . I take .5 of Xanax and I’ve been good with arm and shoulder pain . What has been a bigger concern is balance and gait disorder. I’m a long distance runner of more than 50 years and it’s been a struggle to find my 7:40 pace . I’m 70.5 years old and love to lift and run . On one had offered anything but PT which i attend 3 x per week , it has helped . I have an old non mri friendly pacemaker and it’s been a year of waiting to have imaging to better define anatomy. Should I see you in consult? Thank you sir !

Hello. I just had ACDF C3/4, C4/5 last 6 July 2023. It has been a week now since my surgery and I’m feeling so tired. The Neurosurgeon advised me just to use the soft collar and not to use all the time. I’m a bit confused since some doctors advised the hard collar. Do I have to use it even sleeping or do I have to take it out?

Hi, do you suggest to your patients they stop smoking cannabis (no tobacco) pre and post surgery? If so, for how long?

I wish I could have a consultation with you, but I’m all the way in Florida

I had mine done Dec of 21 and I'm still not doing good

Problem: Numbness in arms, hands, and feet. Mild pain in neck, and more pain in lower back. Feet are dragging and I have balance issues. Pain level at moment is at a 2 in neck and a 6 in back. My original visit was about my back. I do have a nerve block scheduled for my back. The surgeon said that he would not even talk about my back until my neck was taken care of. He even said that I may get some relief in my back from the issue in my neck. Does this make sense? Diagnosis: Cervical myelopathy Solution: Anterior cervical decompression and Fusion at 4-5 and 5-6. Is the purposed surgery the same thing as Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion? Are discectomy and decompression the same? Also, is that 2 levels or 3? I assume 2. Is it 4 and 5 or 5 and 6? is there anyway for this to get better without surgery? The doctor said this would be a simple outpatient surgery with very little pain. He said I would have minor throat irritation. He said I’m lucky I’m not having more symptoms, meaning more pain. He wasn’t pushy and answered all my questions that I had at the time. He said he could do the procedure at his clinic or at a hospital, Which ever I prefer. Do you see any red flags? Is there any reason I could put this off? Like I said the pain is manageable

Hi there wish to know if all those surgery procedure are done in private hospital As I have lot problem on all the disk on my neck impingement nerve narrowing disk pain headache dizziness shoulders pain both Hand But my surgeon not offer me any surgery public only injections morphine Physio which I refuse all those as they not working on my conditions So are your dr working on private sector

Is there a difference between a pinched nerve and a damaged nerve, i have the latter?

thanks doc. what if patients who need acdf with severe osteoporosis? t-score -3.8

I’m having C3-C7 fused. Will my head ROM be limited long term?

No mention of a 4 level ACDF? I have two different recommendations from two respected surgeons. One is a 4 level ACDF.

I had an acdf with allograph at the 5/6 level in 1995. I have been in pain ever since. When at its worst it irritates all the muscles around it so I have very frequent muscle spasms and muscle soreness and limited range of motion. The doctors say that nothing is showing up except normal degenerative changes. I'm miserable and feel like I have nowhere to go from here.