Hello, I had an ACDF with cage two years ago. I had horrible pain for 3 months after the surgery, probably due to inflammation. Then it subsided gradually, but it took almost a year for met to feel better than before the operation.
I have also experienced substantial improvement during this last year yoo; getting more and more of my life back. So theese things can take time.
It seems that some people are more proned to inflammation than others, it's probably in our genes... at least some spine researchers think so.
So be patient and take it easy, I did so for the first year.
Now I'm nearly back to normal, still with some limitations and pain, but bearable and much lower than before surgery.
My surgeon gave me the same explanation that Mark gives you in his post, that the inflammation takes some time to develop. It's considered as a normal, but can vary in strength and duration from person to person.
Hope it will pass soon for you.
Hugs from Kanutta in Norway
