... S1 laminectomy this past July 2012. I had no numbness before surgery and now I have bad numbness in my foot and ankle, and some numbness on my calk and upper thigh. ... (2 replies)

... Hey rockenmama, thanks for your reply. Good luck with your 2 ACDF! You are right that you will know more in a year after surgery about what kind of recovery you will make. The same was said to me after I had my surgery. Unfortunately not all of my problems were resolved, but a lot did. ... (15 replies)

... I just joined today and have spent most of the day reviewing posts and responses. I feel like this Board is a lifesaver. My MRI results are not pretty. Key excerpts: C2-C3: Disc space height is preserved. There a small central posterior disc osteophyte complex without significant neural foraminal narrowing or central stenosis. C3-C4: There is... (4 replies)

... I had a laminectomy with fusion from c3to T1 December 1st. Before surgery I had few symptoms. Sporadic shoulder and arm pain and occasional tingling, but no myelopothy symptoms. ... (7 replies)

... year recovery time. ... (14 replies)

... op with a surgery who's recovery time is measured in years, not weeks. ... (14 replies)

... o 30 mm. As such, these holes were probed, tapped and probed again prior to placement of the right sized screw as determined by the Stealth. We now performed our laminectomy by drilling two vertical troughs at the laminar facette junction. ... (14 replies)

... You mentioned recovery of your hands. Did you get full recovery from all of your symptoms? ... (162 replies)

... I'm so glad my experience can help you a little. Yes, I could eat normally when I came home, though I think I had little appetite. The pain killers had me sleeping a lot and, if I remember right, suppressed appetite. If memory serves I didn't sleep on my side until after the three month mark. The muscles in my neck were traumatized by the surgery, during which they get... (162 replies)

... without difficulty. If your recovery is like mine, I'd prepare to take it VERY easy for the first three weeks. Then things get MUCH better. ... (162 replies)

... I was not too concerned until I started reading the posts. My neurosurgeon has said 4 days hospitalization, 3 month recovery with a Philly brace, no driving. He just said it was "painful. ... (162 replies)

... Hi Dave, I never had a swallowing problem but then they only fused C3-C4 anterior. All the other was done posterior. I noticed on another board you are talking about bad pain in your shoulders, are you still having this? I do 6 months later. I hate to run back to doctor for every ache and pain but going to if this doesnt stop. I wish you luck in your recovery. Saucer. (162 replies)

... Jenny, Wishing you continued success in your road to recovery! Have a fantastic day and keep smiling :-) Dave (162 replies)

... My husband is going to have it in 2 weeks. We realize everyone is different but about how long was the recovery and what might he expect. ... (162 replies)

... I would suggest from past experience that you do not go to an Orthopedic for anything that has to do with your Spine. I wish you well, and hope you have a speedy recovery. (162 replies)

... Hi Binx... I have to Ditto NYC Paul... Rest is key to recovery. I am at 4 weeks now, and am still having a flawless recovery. However, I also have occasional sleeplessness... especially now that I am getting better... and with my activity level still medically limited I'm just not so tired at night. Don't be afraid to get some medical assistance to sleep for a while. Your... (14 replies)

... nochange: No, I've been a bad sleeper all my life. Before the ACDF, my neck and arm pain was strong enough for me to say that the pain kept me awake, but post surgery the pain is gone and the only pain I'm in is just the soreness and healing associated with the surgery itself. So no, the only reason I don't sleep now is because I'm a bad sleeper. My point is, that... (14 replies)

... Hey Binx...how you holding up? Glad you finally made the decision to do something before it got too bad. What you do now is your decision. I went "conservative" too and then when that failed, went major with the 6 vertebrae fusion and laminectomy. You can always go back in for more surgery but once you commit to a laminectomy, you can't go back. It's done. I was hoping... (14 replies)

... thank you for your reply, denise. i really get a lot out of hearing how well you are doing only 3 weeks past your ACDF. it buoys my hopes, for sure. i actually spoke with my physical therapist for a while yesterday about the difference in the two surgery options and she was able to help me understand a little more about the risks vs. the benefits of each. i know she's... (14 replies)

... c6 disc that is compressing my spinal cord. today was the first time anyone has mentioned laminectomy with fusion. ... (14 replies)