Numbness post-op c-5 c-6 cervical spine surgery

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Did anyone read my posting from yesterday? Any ideas of where to go from here? Since the surgery hasn't helped the pain and my doctors keep saying give it more time...when I pretty much know he operated on a good disc and not a a bad disc.

Emirk · Newbie Joined: 02 Dec 2006 Posts: 1

I complained of left tricep weakness from the gym in early may. for example, I could shoulder pre4ss a 75 dumbell with myright arm and all of a sudden I could only do 35 lbls with my left arm. Saw 4 neurosurgeons and decided to have a laminectomy. I had cervical spondylosis with myelopathy. had surgery in last day of august. My neck feels better however, I couldn't lift my arms over my head for a while. I still have weakness in the left arm and wonder if the nerve that was compressed will heal so I can exercise like I used to. Did anyone have this procedure. I can curl 25lbs now with pulling movements are recovering faster. I had severe muscle atrophy after surgery. Bottom line is do nerves heal and when?

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HI ,my name is kathy,i had a car accident on 12/09/2005,major neck pain and numbness in hand-had anterior cervical fusion on 06/01/2006,numbness in hand went away immed after surgery,i am now 6 months out from surgery-oh i had 2 levels done-i am still in severe pain in my neck, shoulders-to the point that when i go to phy therapy and they hook me up to elec stim and put a hot pack on my neck i have to take off the hot pack because it feels like i have a ton of bricks on my shoulders and the numbness and burning is back in my hand.oh and i now have possible scarring on my vocal cords or trachea from the surgery.the vocal cords are closing up and preventing the flow of air,so im gasping for air constantly.the neurosurgeon orders an xray at every visit and says it all looks good and he doesnt want to deal with my pain issues,he wants me to get my breathing issues taken care of first.i thought i was the exception when it came to having pain still after surgery.and to top it all off,im still sleeping on the recliner because i cant sleep flat without severe pain after about 20 min. any advice would be greatly appreciated,thanks kathy

ksf · Supporter Joined: 06 Jan 2007 Posts: 303

I had C-5, C-6 disc replacement/fusion in September 2005. I'm here to tell you things are not getting better 1 1/2 years later.
The new resorbable graft was used on me. I struggled everyday for 8 months trying to work. Finally I could not take the pain anymore. I have not worked since and honestly do not think there is a job I could get through for 8 hrs a day.
My pain has always been on my right side (ie: jaw, shoulder, arm, wrist, thumb).
Since surgery I have limited use of my neck (cannot turn fully to the left, and can not tilt head up). The pain in my arm, etc seem to be worse along with excruciating pain in the back of my neck. I cannot bend and lift, stand or sit for any legnth of time.
They now tell me I have myofacial syndrome, fibromyalgia. I have went for physical therapy (for the 3rd time) nothing is helping me. I try to keep going, struggling all the way by taking a very mild pain killer.
My hope is that everyone that has not recovered from this surgery turn it in on FDA form 3500 or respond on this blog.
I'm starting to feel like this surgery is "all for the money". There are too many people that are not recovering from this surgery and something needs to be done about it.
I for one am in much worse shape than I was before the surgery.

Cbromm · Newbie Joined: 11 Feb 2007 Posts: 2

I had anterior cervical discectomy of c6-7 Nov 2, 2006. I too was in an auto wreck. The first two weeks after surgery were pretty encouraging and then all of a sudden the pain in my arm and shoulder blade came back with a vengence. My NS prescribed Lyrica and this did help tremendously until I started having side effects such as difficulty concentrating, drousiness and dizzines. I nearly killed my husband and myself a few weeks ago when I suddenly fell asleep/blacked out while driving on the interstate. My family doctor cut my Lyrica dose in half and after one week my side effects had nearly all gone away but the pain is coming back at the lower dose. It has brought me to tears at time (the pain). I am getting so frustrated. On top of it all I am having to try and settle with the other individuals insurance. They claim I am fixed and are giving me somewhat of a hard time. "They" don't have to live with this pain everyday, though. The one things that gives me some relief is my "backnobber" which I purchased over the internet. Since I can't reach the pain in my shoulder blade without it, the backnobber allows me to dig in there and try to break up some of the spasms. I did not have any complications from being intubated or from the surgery itself pertaining to swallowing/breathing problems. Kathy, have you tried a neck pillow or memory foam pillow? I am interested in hearing how you are doing now.

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From some of your postings, I feel as if I am reading my own story. I remember the day I discovered something was very wrong in my neck because the pain was beyond description. What I thought was a shoulder problem obviously wasn't. After seeing a NS and having an MRI, c6 c7 herniation was discovered and PT recommended since I wasn't ready to get in to surgery. PT was tough and I understand the debilitating effects of trying to work while recovering. I could barely sit for more than 30 min. In fact, within a month of diagnosis, I was in a job interview, on pain meds just to get through it and could barely handle the pain then. While the pain has diminished, the radial nerve problems so frequently described here haven't in the three years since onset. Having just been in a rear end collision, those symptoms have increased, including the shoulder blade pain and numbness in the thumb and fingers 1 and 2. My neck cracks all the time and it feels like it is "caught" up. The horror stories of disc replacement have me even more gun shy at this point about even considering surgery. Are there any success stories out there? I'm in northern IL, can anyone recommend a NS?

diana1117 · Newbie Joined: 23 Feb 2007 Posts: 1 Location: MI

hello, I had lower fusion surgery, and had simular symptoms, well I was diagnosed with Cauda Equina Syndrome. I am not sure if that is possible with the cervical area, but it does sound like you have some nerve damage. Diana

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I had surgery in Sept of 06. I still have hand numbness, arm pin along with neck pain. I also have trouble walking. My knees give out all the time. I has fusion of discs c-4,5,6,7. an emg shows nerve damage at c-8. My ns says juts wait and see, I am so frustrated... constantly drop things and can't sleep.. I am so strung out on pills I don't know what day it is.

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Hi Diane,
My son had the same thing only with more complications. He was completely paralized on his left side. It took him about 3 years to recover. He kept working with exercise equipment and a lot of prayers. The doctors said he would never regain his strength and the numbness would always be there. They were wrong. Within 6 months after having the halo removed he was back to work and after 3 years has fully regained everything. Hang in there.

ksf · Supporter Joined: 06 Jan 2007 Posts: 303

Hi. I've posted several times to this site and don't seem to find any answers I'm looking for. This is my last time so if any of you that has had ACDF surgery and had more complications after surgery have you ever gotten any answers to what may be the cause?
My surgery was in Sept 2005. C-5, C-6 disc replacement/fusion. I am still in pain and agony. My neck hurts all of the time. I do not have full use of my neck meaning I can't look up or far to my left...even after physical therapy twice. I have pain in my jaw, shoulder, wrist and hands. I can't bend over for any legnth of time and I can't lift anything. My arms grow weak and heavy.
I tried to paint a 30" door last week (half glass) I couldn't finish and the next day I was in excruciating pain from it.
Doctors have suggested Myofascial Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, and a failed surgery (even though MRI's look good).
So if any of you out there have been through or are going through this after ACDF will you please answer to what has helped, if anything, and what the doctors are telling you is wrong?
I keep searching for answers...thinking I'm going to find something doctors have overlooked...so far I'm still stuck in "pain land" and sick of it. I'm 47 yrs old...too young too feel this old...so if anyone has any sugestions please help.
Thanks.

Numbness post-op c-5 c-6 cervical spine surgery

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