Question: Hi I have been dealing with severe neck pain for three months. I underwent MRI and it revealed I have a herniated disc at C5 c6 c6 c7. I have extreme pain when turning my head laterally. Pain shoots into my shoulders and down my arm into my fingers. The doctor has discussed undergoing a ACDF. I am just curious about the average recovery time for such a procedure. Thank you

Thanks for a great answer, how long after ACDF will I be able to return to weight lifting?

hi thanks for a great response I get an MRI yesterday. it would be extremely helpful if you can look it over and tell me what you think. Thank you for all your time, it is very much appreicated

if you cant see the mri here a copy and pasted it here: Procedure(s) MRI CERVICAL SPINE WITHOUT IV CONTRAST NEURO
Pt Name: Grillo, Timothy DOB:2127h988
MRN: 0000
Referring: XXXXXXX Hsiao-Liang Lin CC Recipient(s):
Pt Phone: 7 1.8-984-2406
Accession Number(s) Date of Service 160961s0 9l24lLB
IMPRESSION:
Diffuse d egenerative cervica I disc cha nge/disc protrusions.
Central left C4-5 disc herniation with partial encroachment upon the left anterior subarachnoid space. Left C4-5 foraminal narrowing.
Central right C6-7 disc protrusion with partialencroachment upon the right anterior subarachnoid space. Right C6-7 foraminal narrowing,
Punctate increased T2 signal, lateral right cervicalcord at C5-6 of questionable significance. Myelomalacia, demyelination and artifact are considered.
No significant cervical spinal canal stenosis.
The right-sided C4-5 protruding component on the prior study has resolved consistent with improvement. No significant change in the above findings otherwise.
FINDINGS:
CLINICAL INDICATION: Neck pain, bilateralshoulder, upper extremity radiculopathy x2 years.
MRI OF THE CERVICAL SPINE WITHOUT IV CONTRAST:
TECHNIQUE: Multiplanar multisequence MR imaging of the cervicalspine was performed without the administration of intravenous contrast.
Grillo, Timothy MRN

The second part
COMPARISON:2/17.
FINDINGS:
ALIGNMENT: Alignment is maintained. Minimal mid cervical levoscoliosis.
VERTEBRAE: Vertebral height is maintained. No marrow signal abnormality.
DISCS: Minimal loss of disc height at C6-7,T2-3..
CoRD: Punctate increased T2 signal in the region of the right cervicalcord at C5-6 is possibly artifactualalthough present previously. No definite cervical cord signal abnormality otherwise. No intradural abnormality. Normal cra niocervica I junction.
PARAVERTEBRAL SOFT TTSSUES: No paraspinal abnormality.
EVALUATION OF I N DIVI DUAL LEVE LS DE MONSTRATES: c2-3: central c2-3 disc protrusion. Minimal anterior thecal sac effacement. euestion of left c2-3 facet hypertrophy.
C3-4: No spinal canal or neural foraminal stenosis.
C4-5: Central left posterolateral C4-5 disc protrusion. Partial encroachment upon the left anterior subarachnoid space. Left C4-5 foraminal involvement. The right-sided component is diminished consistent with improvement,
c5-6: central c5-6 disc bulge. Minimal anterior thecal sac effacement.
c6-7: Central right c6-7 disc protrusion. Partial encroachment upon the right anterior subarachnoid space. Right c6-7 foramina I involvement.
C7-T1" - T3-4: No spinal canal or neuralforaminal stenosis,.
Electronic Signature: I personally reviewed the images and agree with this report. Final Report: Dictated by and Signed by Attending XXXXXXX Stern MD g/ZS/ZOlgt:42 AM