ACDF

So, I was in a car accident in July 2008 and had my first 1 level C5/C6 ACDF surgery on Feb. 2, 2009. I had my second 1 level C6/C7 ACDF surgery on May 17, 2013. 

Feb 2009 surgery:
Treatments tried before surgery: PT, rest, ice, heat, massage, injections, different kinds of pain medicines, muscle relaxers, nerve blockers, exercise, weight loss
Diagnosis:  Herniated disc at C5/C6
Levels: 1 C5/C6
Hospital stay:  2 nights
Dr.:  orthopedic surgeon with spine fellowship, Dr. Ramin Rabbini
Allograft
Tests:  X-ray, MRI, pre-surgical blood work, EKG
Hospital:  Miracle Mile Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
     Food:  2 out of 5 stars
     Nurses:  honestly depended on the nurse, as a whole not a friendly staff
Incision:  right side of neck in neck crease
Hardware:  Titanium plate and four screws. 
Neck brace:  Aspen collar worn for 6 weeks, except when showering
Stitches:  Steri-strips
Trouble swallowing:  yes, for about 2 weeks with flare ups still (coughing fits)
Voice change:  yes, permanent
Follow up appointment: 6 weeks
Physical therapy recommended:  yes, 6 more weeks
Loss of mobility in the neck:  yes, harder to turn head to the left than before the surgery
Reduction in pain:
     Day 1: arm pain gone, pain at surgery site, pain in neck reduced
     Week 1:  arm pain still gone, pain still at surgery site but less, pain in neck reduced 
     Month 1:  pain in neck reduced more, pain still at surgery site
     Six weeks:  pain in neck reduced more, but not totally gone
Pain medications:  Norco, Cyclobenzaprine



May 2013  surgery:
Treatments tried before surgery: PT, rest, ice, heat, massage, injections, different kinds of pain medicines, muscle relaxers, nerve blockers, exercise, weight loss and previous surgery
Diagnosis:  herniated disc at C6/C7, additional bulge at C3/C4, degenerative disc disea
Levels: 1 C6/C7
Hospital stay:  2 nights
Dr.:  orthopedic surgeon with spine fellowship, Dr. Andrew Parkinson
Autograft
Tests:  X-ray, MRI, pre-surgical blood work, EKG
Hospital:  Oklahoma spine hospital
     Food:  4.5 out of 5 stars (for hospital food this place is great!)
     Nurses:  great staff all around....they were always there when I needed them
Incision:  left side of neck in neck crease
Hardware:  Titanium plate, four screws, spacer. Removed previous hardware. 
Neck brace:  Soft collar worn for 6 weeks, except when showering
Stitches:  Steri-strips
Trouble swallowing:  yes, for about 2 weeks with flare ups still (coughing fits)
Voice change:  no additional change
Follow up appointment: 6 weeks
Physical therapy recommended:  No
Loss of mobility in the neck:  yes, harder to turn head to the left than before the surgery
Reduction in pain:
     Day 1: arm pain gone, pain at surgery site, pain in neck reduced
     Week 1:  arm pain still gone, pain still at surgery site but less, pain in neck reduced 
     Month 1:  pain in neck reduced more, pain still at surgery site
     Six weeks:  pain in neck reduced more, but not totally gone
Pain medications:  Norco, Cyclobenzaprine