anyone had ACDF and how was/is it?

[rob_zzz]

Curious to hear from anyone thats had an ACDF and how things went afterwards - were you able to get back into it afterwards once you'd been through the long recovery?

You hear horror stories but would like to hear how bad it really is from someone thats had it - how long was the recovery - how 'normal' is your neck afterwards etc.

[Merri]

Sorry no one has answered you as yet because I would like to hear myself: I think the most important person in this is the surgeon (Neuro Vs Ortho) and there are one each of the best in each field at St George Private so I hope you are with one of those. Have the right mental attitude, do exactly as you are told and I'd say all being well you will be fine. I work in the field in six years I personally have heard no horror stories only songs of praise.

[rob_zzz]

Merri - thanks very much for the reply - I hope I'm with one of the surgeons you are referring to (I might send you a pm). Other feedback I've had seems to confirm that its a good hospital well equipped for spine surgery and ACDF is a common procedure with a good success rate these days but definitely not withouts its risks.

Rob

[Merri]

http://www.spine-service.org/

I have only heard good things about Dr Diwan and the word around is he is a leader in his field. Have you looked at his website? lots of useful informatio also if you GOOGLE his name you will see a lot mentioned on the web. Are you having a disc replacement? The Dr I work for specialises in disc replacements and has outstanding success. I think you will be happy with your results. Good Luck!

[rob_zzz]

thanks again Merri - so is he one of the two you were referring to in the post earlier?

I've been looking into disc replacement however at the moment my understanding is that cervical disc replacement isn't available in Australia (I'm not sure of the reason why, it used to be). I think the lumbar disc replacements are still being done though.

[Merri]

umm.... for some reason suddenly there is one product on the market that Government won't fund but the others are still being funded. I don't want to get into strife here so you are welcome to PM me. As I indicated before the Dr I work for does many many disc replacemnts in the cervical spine. He does not do lumbar spine (that is Dr Diwan's thing) however I must be careful as I am not medically trained (secretary). All I know for sure is these blokes are fantastic and I am in ewe (?) of their brillance and dedication to their craft. I have a real passion about this and I understand patients are anxious but I see the final outcome and get excited every time when they return to the office and they are so happy with the outcome. I hope this has been of some help to you, but remember this is only my personal opinion.