still in pain after anterior cervical disectomy

I had a anterior cervical discectomy in feb. 2006 for a herniated disc & bone spur. I have a plate,4 screws,bolts & a cage. All of my original pain was on my right side. After surgery my right side feels fine & now I am in horrible pain w/my left side. Not only do I have pain in my neck but the burning in my traps are horrible. My neurosurgeon has sent me to a pain management dr. & we have tried trigger point injections and facet joint injections - NOTHING is working!! Does anyone know what is wrong w/me? MRI & x-rays show nothing.

I had acd with fusion in august of 06. I am still having a lot of achiness in my neck. I don't know where to get advice on how to take care of myself. Have you resolved your problems. thanks. Jeanne

shea brett wrote:

I had a anterior cervical discectomy in feb. 2006 for a herniated disc & bone spur. I have a plate,4 screws,bolts & a cage. All of my original pain was on my right side. After surgery my right side feels fine & now I am in horrible pain w/my left side. Not only do I have pain in my neck but the burning in my traps are horrible. My neurosurgeon has sent me to a pain management dr. & we have tried trigger point injections and facet joint injections - NOTHING is working!! Does anyone know what is wrong w/me? MRI & x-rays show nothing.

Could not help to reply to your post I did have alograft performed C-5 C-6 plates with 6 screws after 2 years i still have pain in shoulders and arm and neck tryed everything Almost no luck. I am now on pain mangment Thank god anyways mri and exrays shows to be good anyways just wanted to let you know you are not alone i fight the pain every day of my life! and am very limited on any activity. if i should ever find out why im in terrible pain you will be the first to know later and good luck

I HAD CERVICAL FUSION c3-c-4,C4-C5,C5-C6,C6-C7, WITH PLATING,
BONE SPURS CLEANED UP C2,C3,C4, DEGERNATIVE DISC DS C2. SURGERY SEPT 06, DID ALL MODALATIES, WORE NECK BRACE 8 WKS, PT 10
WEEKS. I HAVE MODERATE TO SEVERE PAIN DAILY IN NECK RADIATIING
TO SHOULDERS AND MIDDLE OF BACK, W RADICULOPATHY RT ARM AND
HAND, ALL XRAYS INCLUDING MRI'S SHOW NOTHING. I HAVE BEEN DX
WITH CHRONIC PAIN, ON ANTI DEPRESSION AND PAIN MEDICATIONS,
TRIGGER POINT INJECTION, PHYSCOLOGIST FOR CHRONIC PAIN MANAGEMENT, THIS IS NOT WHAT I EXPECTED AT ALL. I'M 60, HAD TO
RETIRE FROM MY JOB AFTER 25 YEARS, AND AM UNABLE TO PERFORM
ANY NORMAL TASKS. APPLIED FOR DISABILITY IN JAN 07 NOT HEARD
YET IF IM ELIGIBLE. I ALSO HAVE 3 HERNIATED AND 4 BULGING DISCS IN MY BACK, WITH DEGENERATIVE DISC DISEASE SEVERE TO MODERATE.
SO WHAT CAN I DO WITH MY LIFE TO MAKE IT LESS PAIN FULL? I CANT
WORK THOUGHT ABOUT SOME TYPE OF VOLUNTEER WORK, CANT SIT/STAND OR WALK FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME CANT EXERCISE .ANY
IDEAS ANYONE PLEASE?
MARY

Hello, I have recently been told I have a large herniated disk on the right side. The surgeon wants to perform an Anterior Cervical Disk Operation asap. He said there is no other option. What should I do?

I have been told that less than 10% ACD's have problems. Sometimes
you do not have an option, but you should get a second opinion before
you make a final decision, This is surgery, all surgeries have no
guarantee that they will solve the problem, do your homework first.
If you decide to have the surgery, Good Luck and God Bless
Mary N

I had tghis type of surgery 6 years ago and still have limited pain. I'm fussed c-4-c-6 with plate and 6 screws. I still have moderate pain that I treat with pain meds. I would suggest cervical epidural (cortizone injections in series of three every other year). These have been very helpful in my case. It is an out patient procedure, go home same day with bed rest for one day.

I had surgery in Sept of 06 C5-6-7 with plate, 5 screws and cage. I had pain in neck, shoulder and down arm for several months and the shoulder was for over 3 years before I was sent to UPMC in Pittsburgh and had the fusion procedure done. Neck brace for one month and back to work in 2 weeks as my job required me to do dispatch work. I am back to normal lifting and have been for over 3 months. I have very little pain, some soreness. If you need the procedure and have use up all your options than go for it. My option could of been leave it go, and the arm finally goes with strength and possible paralyisis. Everyone heals differently, I chose to have the surgery. I do yard work, fishing, lifting and also in the EMS field. Good Luck

Mary N, how are things for you now? It's been quite a few months, just wondering if anything has improved.

I am 10 days out of having had the same operation (anterior cervical laminectomy and fusion of 3 discs) and am in agony. The original pain is nearly gone, but has been replaced by terrible middle upper back pain, right between the upper portion of the shoulder blades right below my surgical site. Doc said it would be the result of "stretching," but I didn't think to ask how long it would take to go away, or if there was any chance that it wouldn't! Does anybody know? This is truly debilitating. I hurt sitting, standing, laying down, and only feel any relief when I walk, which I think is due to be simply being outside and moving. Unfortunately, you can't walk 24/7, and I am suffering.

Any feedback is truly appreciated!

I
m not good, I had anterior fusion of 4 disc. I still have shoulder and arm pain rt side. I have trigger point injections once a month. But for what ever reason I have the same thing going on with my back from T11 to S3. I am in terrible pain I can not have surgery, to many herniated disc, bulging disc, degeneration disc disease, facet disease from T11 thru S3. I will start facet injections next week.So I am one of the ones that is having a lot of problems.
I hope the facet injections work, I think he is considering putting a stim implant with also a medication pump to help controlling this pain. no guarantees.
I hope that you do well, but it does take 6 months to a year to feel better. And you may need some phys therapy once in awhile or injections. I hopw that you don't, but these are things to be aware of. Let me know how you do. Mary