I had rotator cuff surgery on November 2012 spent 6 weeks in a brace and 2 weeks in a sling and 3 months of PT then had anterior cervical discectomy and fusion in May 2013 c-4,c-5,c-6s stayed in the hospital 2 nights went home wearing a hard collar for 2 weeks and a soft brace for 2 more weeks and PT for 3 months. All seem to go well I was diagnosed with tennis elbow in July have been wearing a band for that but now I also have pain in the fore arm going into my hand and its getting worse. I also can no longer turn my hand palm up.Anyone else having this problem?
Hi I had same surgery 2 weeks ago and the right arm pain is unbearable now. Has your pain subsidised? I'm going stir crazy with this neck brace on etc. Etc.thank you
I had C 5 through 7 fused 4 months ago. I had terrible neck pain as well as pain that radiated down my right arm. I wore a hard cervical collar for 3 months and am currently in Physical Therapy. I now have the same pain in my neck and right shoulder. It does not radiate down my right arm though. However,my left shoulder and arm now have terrible radiating pain. I also cannot put my left arm in a sleeve and sudden movements cause intense pain. My doctor appears mystified as he said the fusions healed properly. I am unsure what to do next. My neck movement is very stiff and limited despite PT and painful exercises. I feel the surgery did not correct problems, but instead added more issues. I was referred to my doctor through many sources so I know he is a skilled surgeon. However, I am also frustrated.
Yes. I have the same issues, it's been four months and I need to get back to work end of month. I'm tire of the pain, weakness and falling. Doctor is telling me I need one more surgery, not going through this a third time!
Had 4 - 7 neck thos past Oct and now end od Feb and pain in arm is unbelievable every day takeing meds to relieve pain
Been told this will go away in a couple weeks and I believe Md is full of it
Only do as last resort and check with other docs They all scare with saying paralized
good luck
I HAD C4-5,5-6 ALSO IN JUNE 2011,I AM IN MORE PAIN KNOW THEN I WAS BEFORE SURGEY,I HAVE TO TAKE PAIN MEDS TO KEEP FROM GETTING BAD HEADACHES AND SEVERE PAIN IN NECK, SHOULDERS,AND ARMS MY HANDS INVOLINTARY JERK OR SPASM,I HAVE NUMBNESS IN MY HANDS AND FINGERS,I HAD TO STOP WORKING THE JOB I WAS AT FOR OVER 13 YEARS,12 AS A MANAGER,BECAUSE OF THE PAIN.WENT BACK TO MY ORTHOPAEDIC DOCTOR AND HE, I FELT JUST KIND OF BLEW ME OFF AND SAID HE DONT KNOW WHAT IT COULD BE,I HAVE HAD TO FILE FOR DISABILTY BECAUSE I CAN NO LONGER WORK.NOT SURE WHAT STEP TO TAKE NEXT.TIRED OF BEING IN PAIN 24/7.
Iam going through the same thing, has your arm pain gotten any better? i had a lump in my throat from the first ACDF after the second I didnt have that but now its back, going to pain management next week, never thought i would be here
No arm pain has not got better I also had that happen the lump in the throat but it slowly went away but it seems that its still difficult to swallow at times don't understand just what's going on.(tired)
Iam starting to loose faith in doctors in general, i went to my GP and he told me i just need to do yoga, meditate and learn to live with the pain. he says his back hurts all the time
DON'T DO IT, THAT SURGERY WILL PARALYZE YOU IN SEVERAL BODY PARTS, TRY PAIN RELIEVERS LIKE WARM PADS, PILLS, MASSAGERS AND MASSAGES, SAUNAS, ETC, LISTEN
sorry about it but im still feeling pain after my c5 c6 surgury its been 6 weeks the presser is gone but the pain is still there
Hello All. I truly feel for all of the people who have had fusions performed on their necks. I too am one of those people.
I had C5, 6 and 7 fused, with 2 bone graphs and a titanium plate and screws put in. I fell at work while being startled by a co worker who had sexually and physically harassed me for years.
L&I didn't want me to have an MRI right away and insisted on physical therapy. I did that for about 36 visits and things got worse. I eventually lost the ability to walk and could only sit in a reclined position with my arms, head and hands shaking.
L&I finally sent me for an MRI and visit with a neurosurgeon. Doctor said I needed surgery asap. L&I didn't agree. Made me do more PT and this time they used a neck traction device. The device made things worse. I had lost all spinal fluid in the neck between the damaged areas, whiched caused permenant nerve damage. It was exactly 1 year and a day after the initial injury that the surgery was performed.
The shaking went 99% away right after the surgery. I still couldn't walk. Had to relearn to walk, with a walker and many months of dizziness. 2 years later I know walk with a cane at all times. I drive a little bit but I get dizzy easily. I can't work or play. I can no longer do the recreational activies that I once did, nor can I perform all the daily activities that I did before the fall and can't take care of my own household.
I was "medically" terminated from my job (local government) due to my now permenant disabilities that were caused on the job. While they did say if I got better within a year and brought them proof from the doctors they *might* be able to find me another job (not at the same position or pay I had previously) within the County.
I have been denied a second opinion from L&I (L&I said that seeing their IME doctors was considered a second opinion, even though L&I doctors told me I couldn't bring a nurse, a doctor or an attorney to their evaluations, nor could L&I doctors tell me anything about my visit to them) and had to get an L&I attorney who is currently going over everything so as to see if L&I is required to allow me to get a second opinion at their cost, as I no longer have any health care insurance (plus I don't reasonably qualify or can afford any obamacare c**p).
Much much more involved, but not going to say it here.
While I am thankful that I am no longer shaking uncontrolably, I am very disappointed in the overall outcome and the doctors honesty prior to and after the surgery. I was told by the doctor before the surgery that I would be completely better and back to work within 3 months. I was also told by the same doctor (neurosurgeon who performed the surgery) that there had been no movement of the bone graphs or titanium hardware that was placed in my neck. The doctor denied there being anything wrong with the hardware or bonegraphs on multiple visits. I ended up sending a letter to the doctor and told him to put what he said in writing, at which time his office called me and set up an office visit.
Went to the scheduled office visit and he said "YES" there had been movement of one of the bone graphs and titanium plate and 1 of the screws. But since the bone graph didn't push all the way into my spinal cord, there was "nothing" that he ( the neurosurgeon) could do and that I would just have to "live with the pain".
I am very disappointed. If I had not lost the ability to walk or control my arms, head and hands, I wouldn't have had the surgery performed. For me there was no choice.
I now live in extreme pain on a daily basis. At least 3 to 4 days a week I am unable to move. When I do move around there is more pain. The more I move, the more pain and the longer I am done the following days after said movement. My life is not what it was, and the quailty of life is terrible. I cannot take care of myself anymore. I am divorced. I have a friend who takes care of my daily needs and cooks and cleans, takes care of my animals, goes to the store, washes my car, mows my lawn, etc.
I do hope that anyone else having this surgery fairs better than I did. In my experience doctors don't know much, which is why they call it a "practice".
Peace to all and my prayers are with all those who have been through or are going through this.
M
Hi, I am having the same problem with neck and upper shoulder pain after having two neck surgeries. One was March 2012, and the other Jan 2013 after another id**t gave me whiplash! II also had a shoulder surgery in Feb. but that was not connected to this pain. I have had rhizotomies (burning the nerves causing pain), facet blocks, steroid injections too. My pain doc said there is not much to do about the muscles. I am still taking Percocet, muscle relaxers, and depression and anxiety meds still due to this pain. I feel for all of you especially the young lady....and I wish I had an answer too.
Good luck, and if anyone knows a good fix, let us know! I will you all good health soon!