7 weeks post-op posterior cervical spine surgery

anneliese · Silver Member Joined: 06 Aug 2002 Posts: 247

Hi all. I had cervical spine surgery last week. The whole procedure went just fine and I’m feeling good (at least as much as I can be). My doc gave me some instructions on how to behave and what to do during first 6 – 7 weeks after the surgery. He says that it usually takes at least that long to recover from the procedure. I’m just wondering if anybody here experienced anything similar, and what you did during first 7 weeks after the surgery? Thanks for your comments.

scarberry · Silver Member Joined: 11 Dec 2004 Posts: 267

You’re not alone. I had exactly the same one 4 years ago. I know how you must be feeling now…. Anyway, your doctor is right – it took 8 weeks for me to recover from the procedure… For some it takes less, but it is usually 6 to 8 weeks. As you already said, your doc gave you instructions you should follow. But, I can tell you what were mine so you can compare the two.
I was advised to change the dressing the day after I return home due to a small amount of reddish-brown drainage that is very common in those few days. Also, I was not allowed to take shower until the two days after the drainage stopped. Then, I was advised to apply vitamin E oil to neck wounds. I also remember that during firs 2 weeks I couldn’t live without painkillers – fortunately, pain gradually reduced afterwards, and I did not have to take those anymore. What else?? Ah, yes.. It was recommended to walk around my hope at least 4 times a day but not to do any heavy housework. Also, I was not allowed to use stairs – not without help. IT was same with sitting – I was advised not to sit in chair during this period. Well, that is all I can remember… I hope it helped at least a bit. Good luck!

liltralala · Newbie Joined: 18 Jul 2006 Posts: 1 Location: MN

I've read lots of comments and I think I'm pretty lucky. I had C45-56 fusion 6 wks ago, and have lots of neck/shoulder muscle spasms. Sometimes pretty nasty. I still take Vicodan about 5/day, and I'm wondering if that's too much. But I don't have the terrible headaches that you are talking about. Mostly pain over my spine in the back of my neck and muscle pain.

A common thread I'm reading here is lack of communication from our surgeon. We don't seem to know what to expect post op, and wonder if what we are feeling is normal, or if we're going nuts! We need to insist on knowing what to expect at EVERY point of our post op course.

To those of you pending surgery ask questions! ASK ASK ASK

Nennie · Newbie Joined: 14 Aug 2006 Posts: 2

Hi, I had posterior cervical spine surgery (C-5, C-6) on 7/12/06. The only thing that had to be done was a piece of bone taken off that was putting pressure on my spinal cord causeing spinal stenosis and compromised blood flow. After the surgery I had weakness (which is much better) and numbness (a little better) on my entire right side. My NS says this was due to increased blood flow which has caused swelling and inflammation. Has anyone had these symptoms and how long did they last? My NS says he is confident I will be back 100% but can't really say how long. maybe another month. Any info would be appreciated. Thank You, Diane Very Happy

m1chae12 · Newbie Joined: 27 Aug 2006 Posts: 2

I had back surgery last Tues (8/22). They did a posterior approach and removed fragments between C6 and C7. Prior to surgery I was having tremendous pain on the left side behind my scapula, in my shoulder, upper tricep, elbow and the top of my forearm. I also had numbness in my middle and index finger in my left hand.

The surgery has taken away alot of the pain, but following surgery I have pain (like a pulled muscle) in my back near the incision. I expected this. My question is as follows. Over the past few days my triceps have been aching on both sides. The pain medication seems to help, but as the day goes on the pain increases. I get the point in the day where I just hit a wall. When this happens both arms just ache (not like the nerve pain I was having but more like a deep muscle ache). The pain extends down both arms and makes both my hands feel stiff. Is this a normal part of recovery or is it reflective of another problem? I actually feel like the pain has been getting worse in the last two days. If it is normal can someone explain why this is happening and what should expect going forward. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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I had my cervical discectomy and fusion on 08/17 so I am almost 2 weeks post op. I also still have some of my original pain along with new pains in the center of my back and shoulders and still having difficulty swallowing. My physician's office assures me that this is all perfectly normal because of swelling resulting from the surgery itsself. I hope they are right. I would hate to think that I went through all of this without getting substantial relief. I am getting my strength back now. I would say I am about 80 percent. I still get tired easily. So I am trying to stay positive and wait a few more weeks. Good luck to everyone who is going through this. My best advice is to ask around and make sure you are getting a good surgeon who knows what he is doing.

jabkmaol · Posted: 09/07/06 - 12:18 Post subject: Re: post op pain

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Guest · Guest

my husband had cervical neck surgery 6-days ago (he broke c6-7 on the right iin a motor vehicle accident) he wants to know what positions and when sex is safe. He feels good except for some lingering muscle spasms right shoulder.

saraleepoo · Newbie Joined: 14 Sep 2006 Posts: 1

Hi all. I have just been reading everyone’s messages and I have a few words of wisdom. I had cervical spine fusion 2yrs and 2mons ago now. I pretty much had pain from the surgery for the whole first 2yrs. I mean the pain decreases with each month or so but it takes a while for you to recover. You have to remember a lot of nerves and muscles have been cut in order for you to have surgery. Also to the person with the bad throat pain, I had that too and it was very hard to talk for about 2 weeks and then for about 4mons I would have trouble speaking every so often. About 2-3 times a day. Mine lessoned but never fully went away. I still get very bad sore throat’s for no reason and sometimes I get a feeling like a dry patch is in my throat and I can get it to go away. This is because they have to pull part of your larynx out through the hole they cut in your neck to get to your spine. For some people it never goes away. In case you are wondering I am 23yrs old. I had surgery when I was 20, weeks before my 21st birthday...yeah that was a bad birthday!!! Also I still have shoulder and neck pain. Recently I had anti-inflammatory steroid injections done in the nerve in my neck that was inflamed from surgery and I am feeling 95%...I still have very mild pain and stiffness. But I would say the combo of the surgery and injections worked better then I thought it would!!![/i]

7 weeks post-op posterior cervical spine surgery

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