I had my neck fused L-4, L-5, & L-6 fused with plates and screws at 62 years old and I could not shoot anything over a .22 rimfire for 1 year. I still do not shoot my 300 RUM because of recoil. I get along pretty good. You will have some bad days from sleeping wrong or working on something that gets you in a bind. It is a total success from my view. It was a long healing process but well worth it being pain free everyday. Everyone is different and all surgeries do not get the same results. I had to wear the hard collar for 7 months and a soft collar for 5 months. Only could sleep in the recliner chair for about a year. Small price to pay for success. Good luck.
