Post cervical spine surgery pain

sctt297422 · Newbie Joined: 28 Aug 2007 Posts: 14 Location: HOME

just wanted to say i am 6 weeks post op an having some pretty major problems first off dont let anyone fool u this is a major surgery ive had my second surgery in three years u should be very careful of what u do for at least six months post op.

i have a couple questions first is does anyone get an electric shock up the back of the neck and in shoulders when u cough or sneeze. this really has me worried because it didnt happen after first fusion?

second is anyone having major pain in thoratic area between shoulder blades an a feeling like ur shoulder muscle is pulling loose from ur neck?any help would be greatly appreciated.
thanks scott

ksf · Supporter Joined: 06 Jan 2007 Posts: 281

Scott-

Surgery 2005.
I do not remember the electric shock going up my neck and shoulders but I still have the major pain in the thoratic area. When I put any strain (ie: turning, bending, lifting, lying in bed) I feel the muscle pull and it feels the same way even after all of this time.
I have severe muscle spasms in my neck, shoulders, arms. I have severe "trigger points" that make me jump out of my skin when they are touched.
After going to numerous doctors, none having an answer, undergoing every test and treatment imaginable, finally giving up hope to get well, I'm once again back on the treadmill. I see a new specialist in several weeks (a rhuemotologist) then I am going to yet another neuro.
My last of hope.
It seems that there are alot of post similiar to my symptoms. If I do find some sort of diagnosis and treatment that Does work I will be the first to blog!
This has been my "worst nightmare"!

summer_angel · Newbie Joined: 27 Apr 2008 Posts: 1

[quote="bassplayer52"]Almost 2 weeks post-op for C4-C5, C5-C6 fusion. Had spinal cord compression at these levels due to severe disc herniations at these levels. Used my own bone (hip) for graft, and have plate and screws, etc. Stopped taking the Percaset for pain, replaced with Tylanol. (Along with muscle relaxants).

I originaly went in to see doctor and get and MRI as I had weakness and bad pain in the upper left arm, numbness in left hand, and loss of motor skills in left hand. (I am a professional bass player, and can no longer play!) The surgery was done as a more preventive measure than corrective measure, as the herniated discs were beginning to cause more symptome. Right leg was becoming toipicaly numb, right foot numb, etc.

Surgery went well. Couldn't swallow anything for 5 or 6 days. Am wearing a Miami brace 24/7 (hate it!), can't sleep for any length of time, (more like a series of 1 and 2 hour naps). Hip pain is all but gone. But now, out of nowhere, comes this upper back pain, between the shoulders. When I cough or sneeze, feel electric shock through both arms and both legs, with the center of it being right between the shoulders. Pain in left arm is gone, but still have numbness and no motor skills in left hand. Started getting numbness in right hand a few days ago.

Spoke with doctor about all this. Told it's "all normal stuff" after a surgery of this type. I was told that my spinal cord is "adjusting" itself to a more free space than before, and that some or all of these symptoms should subside over time.

Day time TV is boring, not much to do. Still can't play a note on my guitar. From my readings and reasearch, the upper back/shoulder pain is VERY common post op. Each day is an adventure in measuring current pains, identifying new pains or symptoms (keeping a daily log), and trying to find low eb things to do.

Best of Luck to all suffering through this.....

bassplayer52 im going threw the same thing im having surgery tuesday and having a bone put in my neck. c4 and c6 disk are back and they are also going to put a plate in my neck. Have you ever felt burning in your upper back hope your doing better

Guest · Guest

[quote="bassplayer52"]Almost 2 weeks post-op for C4-C5, C5-C6 fusion. Had spinal cord compression at these levels due to severe disc herniations at these levels. Used my own bone (hip) for graft, and have plate and screws, etc. Stopped taking the Percaset for pain, replaced with Tylanol. (Along with muscle relaxants).

I originaly went in to see doctor and get and MRI as I had weakness and bad pain in the upper left arm, numbness in left hand, and loss of motor skills in left hand. (I am a professional bass player, and can no longer play!) The surgery was done as a more preventive measure than corrective measure, as the herniated discs were beginning to cause more symptome. Right leg was becoming toipicaly numb, right foot numb, etc.

Surgery went well. Couldn't swallow anything for 5 or 6 days. Am wearing a Miami brace 24/7 (hate it!), can't sleep for any length of time, (more like a series of 1 and 2 hour naps). Hip pain is all but gone. But now, out of nowhere, comes this upper back pain, between the shoulders. When I cough or sneeze, feel electric shock through both arms and both legs, with the center of it being right between the shoulders. Pain in left arm is gone, but still have numbness and no motor skills in left hand. Started getting numbness in right hand a few days ago.

Spoke with doctor about all this. Told it's "all normal stuff" after a surgery of this type. I was told that my spinal cord is "adjusting" itself to a more free space than before, and that some or all of these symptoms should subside over time.

Day time TV is boring, not much to do. Still can't play a note on my guitar. From my readings and reasearch, the upper back/shoulder pain is VERY common post op. Each day is an adventure in measuring current pains, identifying new pains or symptoms (keeping a daily log), and trying to find low eb things to do.

Best of Luck to all suffering through this.....

bassplayer52 im going threw the same thing im having surgery tuesday and having a bone put in my neck. c4 and c6 disk are bad and they are also going to put a plate in my neck. Have you ever felt burning in your upper back hope your doing better

ksf · Supporter Joined: 06 Jan 2007 Posts: 281

As I blogged earlier I would post after going to yet another specialist for pain after ACDF.
Now I have been diagnosed with: RSD (reflex sympathetic dystrophy), Fibromyalgia, Raynaud's and mild carpel tunnel in wrist.
For the 3rd time I was told nothing can be done about my neck pain and inability to have full function of my neck due to the neck surgery 2 1/2 yrs ago.
Don't know how everyone else is doing that has blogged on these sights after ACDF surgery and would really like to know...so please post.
Though I've been diagnosed with the above things I haven't found anything that is actually helping me with the muscle spasms and pain. Tried Lyrica and can't tollerate it.
Anyone have any luck with anything else besides pain meds and the obvious anti-depressent (cymbalta, lyrica, nueroton, etc) meds?
Thanks! Karen

rkcarlson · Newbie Joined: 28 Apr 2008 Posts: 1

my son is due to have surgery in may--i am not sure if i should let him have the surgery, he has 95% curve, so he cant walk for a long time or he tires out mowing the lawn(he cant finish the mowing at one time) My question to you is do you think the pain you went through is too much to handle for a fragil person. My son will be cut in front and in the back and on his left side. As his mom i dont think i can stand to have him go thru this pain this would mean he would live this way for ever Im sorry that you are in pain and went through your trauma i hope you will feel great soon.

ksf · Supporter Joined: 06 Jan 2007 Posts: 281

The good thing is that there are alot of people out there that have done really well with spinal surgery. The best thing I can tell you is to do all of the research you possibly can. Try to find others who have had the same surgery and ask how they got along.
I know there are alot of blogs that will scare the crap out of everyone facing spinal surgery of any type...but remember most blog because they are still in pain and have had problems with the surgery.
You did not mention how old your son is. If he is young will he have to face this surgery over as his body grows?
I don't wish this pain on anyone...but there are people out there that have had exellent results even with the type of surgery I had. Unfortunately I'm just one of those that it didn't help.
Best of luck.

Guest · Guest

I had surgery 7 weeks ago today. I had three herniated disks which pushed into the spinal cord in three places. They rebuilt the bone by snapping the "ears" off my vertebrae, crushing them and mixing them with my own blood. I had a 3 level fusion, 3-4, 4-5, and 5-6, four titanium plates, screws and two titanium rods. I went back to work after 5 weeks. I am a middle school teacher. I was in the hospital for 5 days and never wore a brace. Recovery has been slow. I still have pain if I sit for over 30 minutes. Every afternoon I have major pain in my upper arms and upper back/neck area. Dr says it takes time and will eventually improve. My motor skills are better as I had almost lost control of my right hand. I'm just thankful that I can walk, talk, and use both arms and hands. Left untreated, I would have become a paraplegic, so I guess the pain is a much better alternative. They say a positive attitude is the best medicine. I am 51 and am trying to keep that positive outlook, and my students help every day.

Guest · Guest

Do any of you know what this surgery actually does?? It removes part of your vertebrae, removes part or all of your discs, and fuses the segment together using grafts and screws. This prevents movement in those segments, obviously... but this means that the OTHER segments, above and below, must compensate for the lost movement. They will develop abnormal bone growths to support the extra load put upon them; in future years you will experience more pain. Loss of motion due to fusion in NEVER a good thing, even if they tell you your spine is "unstable"-- what the hell does that mean? Your spine is supported by numerous muscles and ligaments, so your head won't fall off of your body, you won't experience spontaneous paralysis, or anything so traumatic. Disc hernations, reversed curves, and instability are mroe common than you think and not nearly as scary as the general public is led to believe. These problems are easily fixed without surgery. GO to a chiropractor! That is precisely what they are trained to fix. And those are the EASY fixes. Even if you don't "believe" in chiropractors, don't think you know it all, or that all chiropractors are the same; at LEAST talk to one, and save yourself the fifty grand and years of repeat surgeries and resulting pain, osteoporosis, and numerous other problems that will undoubtedly arise afterward. Don't trust your doctor/surgeon just becasue he has MD after his name. He only has one point of view, and a great big house.

ksf · Supporter Joined: 06 Jan 2007 Posts: 281

I agree with you 100%! Try a chiroprator first. I did. I also underwent physical therapy, cervicle injection and everything else you can imagine before I gave in and had the surgery.
I have had many pains before (ie: severe back pain and neck pain), went to a chiropractor and my pain was relieved. Unfortunately for this nothing helped. The sad part is surgery did not help either. It only made things worse for me.
Thanks for recommending people to try a chiropractor first....sometimes they do really help!

Post cervical spine surgery pain

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