7 weeks post-op posterior cervical spine surgery

Hi Guys,

I had a Posterior Cervical Discectomy C3/C4 on Tuesday. Instead of pushing on the spinal chord, mine was pushing on the lateral nerve that innervates the neck and shoulder muscles.

I have been dealing with this pain for 3 1/2 years after i woke up with it one morning after the gym. I had tried everything from physio, massage therapy, accupuncture to osteopathy. If i failed to see anyone for pain management, all the muscles would seize up to a point where i couldn't move my neck to the right hand side at all. By far and away, the best management i received was through Osteopathy. This was improving me relatively well, however within a week i would be back to the same as pre-visit. With Osteo and the use of Nurofen, i was living a reasonably normal life with only the occasional unbearable day. Unfortunately my improvement had plateaued with Osteo, and it was just temporary relief rather than a cure. So therefore i started looking elsewhere, my Osteo sent me to get an MRI, and i wish i had this done originally, im guessing it would have saved a lot of time and money. The MRI showed that the nerve was impinged and therefore constantly firing and causing the muscles to contract.

So i am now 1 week into recovery and already the tightness in the back is gone, however i am experiencing a lot of pain and headaches at the incision site. I will wait it out and see how the recovery process goes, but i have been told it should be relatively quick as i am a very fit 26 year old tennis player/coach, we will see. Will keep you guys posted on my recovery, seems you may need a positive viewpoint compared to most of the negative ones on here who i feel really sorry for. For those thinking of the surgery, reading this site alone shouldnt be your only source as most that are compelled to post will be the ones still experiencing problems.

All the best guys,

Chris Lee
Australia

Hi. I had a cervical fusion op on march 30, 2010. today is July 5, 2010 so it was a little over 3 months ago. I had 3 discs removed. C4/5, c5/6, and c6/7. also laminectomy(i think).They replaced the discs with man made material, not bone. I went into the surgery not expecting any positive results except to stop the progression of spinal cord damage which could some day cause complete inmobility. I was told initially that I would have to wear a collar for a week or two and then I would be fine. No other expectations. Well, as you can expect, that's not what happened. I woke up from the surgery screaming in unbelievble pain in my left arm (previous to surgery just fine!)I also had the expected pain in my neck, which was really more up the back of my head and neck both. The pain was so bad I couldn't form words, I could only scream in horror. They finally sedated me and I fell back to sleep. I woke the second time (I think later that day) still screaming in pain. Again they sedated me and I fell back to sleep, only after verbally abusing every member of the staff within earshot and my painfully patient husband. I do remember yelling at the surgeon as he stood by my bedside asking me what he could do for me. I remember telling him "knock me out! damn it, knock me out!" The next day after surgery, they had the pain under control with meds. Lots and lots of meds. And you couldn't even blow air on my arm or hand without extreem pain. They next day they sent me home. The meds worked for 3 days and then I woke up at 1am screaming in pain again! only now it was BOTH arms. After 5 hours of screaming uncontrollably, my husband finally called 911. I ended up back at the hospital via ambulance. It took I don't know how many pills and 5 shots of morphene before the pain came under control.I spent the next 12 hours being transported via ambulance all over so. cal. to have mri, xrays, and cat scans done. I was told by my doctor that I would stay in the hospital as long as I wanted and I would only leave when I felt safe to do so. Then, within a few hours of that speech, I was told I should go to a special rehap hospital. I was told it would take 3 to 5 days of paperwork and interviewing to get into this special hospital, and then the admissions person from the rehab showed up about and hour later, made some phone calls, and sent me off via ambulance the very same day!I was there 6 days. It was a nightmare. I hated it. (much more on that but I'll spare you the datails) My right arm lost most but not all of it'ssymptoms day3 and it was just my left arm,neck,and balance issues I had to work on. My arm was still so bad I couldn't let the sheets touch it. Water hurt. Air hurt. Breathing hurt! And my hand was swollen like a big baloon and I coldnt move my fingers. Anything that touched my fingertips felt like glass, or electricity or both. Too much pain to really put into words. I couldn't do anything for myslef as a result. Think about it. Hold your left hand out, don't let anyone even breath on it, you have a big collar on and you can't move your head at all, so all you can see is straight in front of you and you can't even look down and see yourself! Now,,,,,
try and dress yourself. or go to the bathroom. or shower. Not possible.I was not scared during any of this. I was MAD! I was mad at the surgeon, mad at staff, mad at everyone! I wasn't supposed to have this pain! This was not ok! Eventually, with lots of prayer, lots of help from loved ones, and lots of time, I healed. For the most part anyway. I still have some pain.Still can't lift my right hand up over my head so I can't do my own hair. I still have some neck pain, hard to move, that sort of thing. Still going to PT 3 times a week. But, for the most part, I guess I'll live. I was angry at the doc for a long time because he didn't warn me. He knew this was a possibility, but didn't tell me. I guess though if he HAD told me I probably wouldn't have had the surgery and I most likely would be paralyzed today
I still have terrible headaches everyday.But, I'm alive and walking so I guess I'm a success story.Oh, I forgot to mention, I was initially told I would have to wear a collar for a week or two, then I ended up having to wear it for 2 months! I had more damage to the spinal cord than originally thought, and my spinal cord was compressed by over 80%. That's what caused all the nerve damage afterwards.The decompression cause my spinal cord to swell and that made all the nerves go nuts and cause that undescribable pain.
So, like the last person wrote, if you're going to have this surgery, read! Investigate! get second and third opinions! Be warned!

Hi everyone,
I had a C-6 C-7 posterior laminectomy procedure on July 23, 2010.

My pre-surgery symptoms were right arm pain and weakness throughout due to a traumatic hockey injury.

Injury late May and further treatment sought due to an on-going increase in symptoms especially weakness. Couldn't do one push-up. In may could perform sets of 30 no problem.

Saw neuro-surgeon on July 21st and was in surgery July 23rd.

I am now 6 weeks post-surgery and feel fine. No symptoms in right arm, none of the neck pain as described in other posts. Was off of pain meds one week after surgery and am walking daily. Started driving this week and feel fine. Range of motion still improving and will start physical therapy in the next two weeks.

So far I am extremely happy with my results and will continue to work through the proces to get my full strength back.

Sorry to hear about the negative results that others have had.

Hi,

I'm a physician. I had a posterior C6-C7 laminectomy 4 weeks ago. I had the severe neck/back/shoulder/arm pain with two tingling fingers (pinky and ring... which interestingly have little to nothing to do with C7 nerve root!). I tried conservative approach of physical therapy and NSAIDs. PT inflamed my nerve even more. In fact, with certain "neck retraction exercises" prescribe by the PT, I had additional symptoms of the thumb, index and long finger tingling! So, I decided to get a steroid shot in the neck which helped significantly for the next 3-4 weeks. I continued PT for a few sessions after the injection, but since it was still irritating my neck, I decided to stop PT. I continued on with life living in mild-moderate pain for a total of 6 months. I would go to the gym to make sure I wasn't getting weak (as weakness is an ominious sign and surgery should be entertained). Unforntunately, I developed weakness. I had the surgery, and here I am, 4 weeks later.

Immediately post-op, I was literally shocked to wake up to first three fingers being completely numb (and I mean insensate!)! I was groggy in the recovery room, but I demanded answers from the surgeon. He told me that what I was experiencing was completely normal and the additonal numbness was from surgical manipulation/swelling. I wish he would have told me that pre-op as it was NOT a nice wake up thinking that there may have been a surgical mistake or maybe I was hemorrhaging acutely putting pressure on nerve, etc. A few words from neurosurgeon pre-op would really have helped me not worry. Anyway, things were REALLY uncomfortable for 2 weeks. I was on around the clock narcotics/muscle relaxants. Weeks 3-4 have been better. I'm on Naproxen during the day and Norco at night. I went back to work week 3. First week was tough, I just completed it. First 3 days were the worst. I would do pretty good from 7 AM to noon, but afternoon my neck fatigued and started aching. I still get some arm, shoulder and axillary pain. It worsens with coughing/sneezing. But it goes back to baseline immediately. My thumb and middle fingers are a bit numb but have improved significantly. My main complaint is my index finger (arguably the second most important finger.... thumb being the first). Some sensation has returned, but it still is numb and unable to sense hot/cold, fine texture sensation. I'm hopeful this will return in the next few months. Lastly, I have been having muscle twitching (fasciculations) in many muscles in my arm but especially triceps. Interestingly, I've experienced a few of them in the other arm too. I'm hoping that means reinnervation of muscle? I'm not sure it does, but that makes me feel better about them :-)

Anyway, I found everyone's stories helpful. So that is why I'm sharing mine. Hope it helps someone else ;-)

Hello! im almost most 2 yrs out,iv had 4 c-spine surgey. the first was in 03,the second was 04, the 3 and 4th were in 08.the first one was c6-7fusion postiror,the second was anterior for spurs,the 3 one was forfusion c3-7 and removal of hardware,by sept of 08 i had it done posterior.now i have spasms and headachs,I can barley drive myself and it gets worse as time goe's on.No one told me about all this,so for the arm pain ,headachs, muscle spasms, im still able too walk about 10 mins a day.so know i have metal in the front,metal in the back of my neck.do's any one else taste the stuff or have the same problems?Its taken a long time too type this and my arms are tired(JOKE) but not really.

I had c-spine fusion with discectomy...I was living with numb hands and arms feeling cold and back hot! Living with this for over 5 years! I got into a car accident this past march...started a job...and felt my body was going down hill...tripping...worst was the nerve pain shooting from my shoulders to my knees...It would actually bring me to the floor...was awefull I waited too long for surgery! But I had it done, cause I did not want to be paralized!!! My surgery was uncomplicated...no neck pain....hardly any pain at all...didnt even need pain pills! Its been seven weeks...back to work...working 4 hours...cause I shoudnt be back yet! I will tell you, I had alot going on..spondylosis, stenosis and the worst was myelopathy...I knew the surgery wouldnt make everything better at once or may not make anything better....but at least I can walk and am not paralized!!! No more nerve pain...hands are still numb and arm pain...but I lived with this already for years...so I am greatful for my sugeon who helped me...even if I dont get all my nerve sensations back...its okay...I can walk!!!!! :-)) Your tuely Wendy from Michigan

I am 5 weeks post surgery C5-7 fusion, plate in front and plate/rods in the back. I got it from the front and back same day. Felt good at the hospital, let me go 2nd day. Gave me pain meds but once the steroids and muscle relaxers wore off when i got home i was convulsing in pain at the back of my neck. Anyway 5 weeks later still in neck brace for another 5 weeks. Still have constant pain at the rear surgery site. Moving a little better, can dress, shower, walk, ride in car. But what I didn't expect was not being able to lie down to sleep and pain caused by eating and chewing to still be bad. Can't lay down without arms going numb, pain in right hip and foot. Have to sleep sitting up or >45 angle. Any tips on sleeping? I still would like to know how long pain will last. Doc say everyone's different and we'll have to wait and see.

Has anyone here had 4 disc fusion in the c-spine? Neurosurgeon says the vertabrae are separated, cleaned/scraped, a man-made material mixed with my bone marrow is inserted to keep the bones separated, and then, ughhhhh, titanium pins are used to lock all verbabrae together. Here's my concern. They told me that my range of motion would be limited, i.e., no looking down or up any more. How do you live with that?

I am scheduled for cervical spine fusion and am scared. I have been out of work since February and was just informed my FMLA runs out 2 weeks after my surgery. I have to go back to work or lose my job. It has taken forever to get this thing scheduled and I have been dealing with it for 3 years. I don't know if I should forget the surgery and just go back to work and deal with the pain. I don't want to lose my job, not in today's economy. I have been a legal secretary for 20 years now and sitting at the computer all day doesn't help much, but I am not a stay at home person. I don't know if I will have a job to go back to after the recoperation period. Can they just let me go? Then what? Do I do the surgery or just go back to work and try to live with the pain.

I had my surgery for C5 6 and C6 7 on October 26th of 2011... I am experiencing a buring sensation that has not let up, also aching in my neck something fierce tagged with NECKGRAINES... not a migraine but neckgraines... might as well be a migraine... its just as bad! I am miserable and have been to therapy for 12 visits... my shoulder, elbow and hand on my left side feels horrible.. I was in a car crash that started all of this.. i was hanging upside down for approx. 45min and feel the seat belt has done the most damage, but cannot get anyone to listen to me... i am going crazy with the pain and the meds do not help for a long period of time, and i am def. afraid of pain meds...

I had C6 --> T4 spinal fusion surgery eleven months ago as a result of a ski accident (also broke 3 ribs, collarbone, and partially collapsed lung). My pain level rarely exceeds a 1-2 these days, if it even reaches that level. Though it is cliche, I believe it is 100% (not taking into account an excellent neuro-surgery team) due to a combination of diet, swimming, pilates, and yoga.

I was fairly healthy beforehand as I had run a marathon a few months before, but I was never strategic about my exercise or diet. While I still eat and drink too much on occasions, I have basically tripled my daily intake of fruits and vegetables and am very conscious of performing the right exercises. By right exercises, I mean low impact back & core strengthening. Long story short, when I keep my weight down and am doing 30-60 minutes of exercise 6x a week, I essentially experience no pain. On the other hand, when I gained 10 lbs over the holidays and stopped exercising for 10-14 days, the pain came back immediately. There was absolutely no mystery to it.

I believe the patient has tremendous control over their recovery, but there's no question that it requires a lifelong commitment. Anyway, I share this story because I think it's important for back and neck surgery patients to realize they have a lot of control over their recovery.

I am 7 weeks out from posterior cervical fusion of c5,6,7 and cleaning up the area. I was having severe pain across my shoulders and down my right arm. Diagnostic mri and cat scans showed I had several pinched nerves and discs out of alignment. As soon as i woke up in recovery, my shoulder and arm pain were gone and have not returned I have been in a hard collar (vistatx) during the day and a soft collar at night. I am finally beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel. I still take Vicodin as needed which is pretty much everyday but decreasing gradually. I have pancreas problems so I can't take any anti inflammatory medications like Advil, etc so I'm stuck with Vicodin. My doc also having me wear a bone growth stimulator for 4 hours a day probably because in a previous surgery the bone didn't fill in completely. Hope this helps. My biggest problem I think has been depression which may be from being inside so much. I already take depression meds so I increased them with doctors permission. Sometimes at night a Xanax helps when I can't get comfortable and I get all revved up thinking about what I would like to doing. I feel very fortunate but since this is my third surgery after I get hit in the jaw by a student, I figure I deserve a little good luck. I guess my advice would be to not let the pain get you down. It can cause depression and I would definitely seek help for that. Hang in there!

Today had a posterior cervical foramonotomy for C3-4.  Feeling pretty good.  Can't feel back of head after twelve hours, which is fine as there's not much pain.  Woke up in post op with a HORRIBLE headache, and blood all over hands. Seems they had put 6-8 needles or rods in both sides and base of head that was attached to a cage so I didn;t move during surgery.  Just wish I had known about that prior to,  but the nurse said if they mentioned the cage, most people wouldn't have the surgery!! Anyone know about this??  I can't seem to find any info on Google..Thanks

Thank you for all the information about your experience pre and post op. Have a question for you since you are a doctor, if you wouldn't mind. Wanted to know if it is standard procedure in a posterior spine surgery to use rods or thick needles inserted into sides of and base of head, attached to a cage of sorts to keep head from moving. I had not been told this would be done and when I had held my head due to the horrible pain immediately after waking up in post op , found blood all over hands and on gown. The nurses said they don't tell patients of this as they wouldn't get the surgery done. Can't seem to find any info on Google about this. Thank you in advance for anything you can tell me.

Hi Have to know if the surgeon put rods in your head to keep you from moving during surgery. I also had a posterior cervical foraminotomy C3=4 Thanks