I've had neck fusion surgery from the base of my skull to the top of my spine and when I get any tingling or discomfort I wear my hard neck brace and after time the sensations improve. I think some stability for the neck area helps greatly. If I wasn't so vain I'd wear it a lot more it really helps. Wearing it at night when you sleep helps the most, perhaps some support for that area when laying down is needed.
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Hi I had my cervical fusion Dec. 7th 2011. First of all the surgeon put me on so much medication it put me into a medicated induced phycosis. I ended up in the syke ward. I was livid to say the least. Now Im dealing with worsening arm pain horrible headaches and neck and shoulder pain. I haven't worked in a long time. I am seeing a pain management doc and am going to pt twice a week. I clean my house and suffer for it. I hate riding in a vehicle although I do drive. My husband is tired of going to events by him self. This was a mistake I should have never had this surgery. I no longer take pain meds because I became addicted. I only take excedrin. Which reaks havik on my stomache.
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I had my surgery 4 years ago. My Dr. had me wear a hard neck collar for 6 months and then a soft one for a year. He wouldn't allow me to even be a passenger in a car with out the hard neck brace on for the first 6 months. I've had no real problems, I would think over time without caution the area could weaken, again that's why I occasionally reinforce with the hard neck brace, I recommend those having pain after the surgery try it. Good luck to you all, just reading these posts brings awareness to my neck area :) :(
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i just had cervical anterior decommpression fusion of every disk and c7 and T 1 except c 5. I am almost 6 weeks out and feel it's the best thing i could have done! I was told I would have been paralized without it! The excruciating pain i had prior to the surgery is gone! The pain in my neck and shoulder is gone! Not sure about the mobility I'm going to have, bu the pain is gone!
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I had C5, C6 & C7 fused from the front in November of 2010. My L5-S1 surgery was done 5 weeks later. in October of 2011, x-rays revealed broken screws in C5 which never fused. The neurosurgeon recommended rest and muscle relaxers. I started wearing the bone stimulator device again to see if we could get the fusion to complete to avoid having to do a posterior entry fusion. Turns out, I was able to get it to fuse over time, but continued to have arm and neck pain. We proceeded with the posterior entry fusion surgery on Feb. 13 only to discover that I had managed to break yet another screw in C6 which was fully fused. The posterior surgery included the addition of rods and more screws in addition to more titanium "laddering". I am 6 weeks out and now my hands and legs feel like jello. I am dropping things and having alot of numbness, tingling and pain in the hands and arms. The feet are now also having numbness and tingling (which is new). I am hoping this will improve with physical therapy, but these new post op symptoms are alarming. Has anyone experienced a breaking of the titanium screws and can give me an idea of what to expect in the recovery process from a posterior entry?
Thank you!
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As with all of you, I had C2-C5 done in 2002, went great!! Had great arm and neck pain and had C6 done 12-11, excrutiating pain for 3 weeks, the spacer they put in was too large and was stretching my spinal cord and nerves! Had to have another surgery 1-12 to fix the spacer. Still, I have pain going down arms, in shoulders and doctor admitted they had to pull my arms too hard and I have tissue damage, ligament damage and more neurological problems. This has been a nightmare, neurosurgeon was recommended highly and that he was brilliant. I am truly sorry for everything all you folks have gone through, I do understand.
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Hi, I am experiencing the same post surgical effects of the spine surgery. My arms are extremely painful and weak. It has been almost three months since my surgery and I am concerned as although my neck pain has been relieved, the arm pain is debilitating at best and I am unable to work. It even hurts to type on the computer. Does this pain and debilitating situation ever get better? Anyone with similiar experience that can share how they are doing would be appreciated. Thanks for listening. Best in health!
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I had anterior cervical disk surgery on the C5/C-6. I had a metal plate put in. I fell at home and landed on my face. For me it was have the surgery or be paralyzed from the next down. I have some soreness in my neck and back, (really bad in the morning) but what bothers me the most is the sensitivity in my hands and arms. Cold is a huge problem. Sometimes I pick up a fork and it is like being burned. Like everyone else I have trouble sleeping, but I have a large amount of pillows that I keep around me and that helps. PT is a must. Moist heat helps too. I made a rice pack (white rice in a sock) and heat that in the microwave. Really love that. Also, "Bio Oil" from Meijer will really help with the scar. Most important is research your surgeon. Go online and find out everything you can! The bottom line is, for me, the cane the pain and the all around inconvenience is nothing compared to what could have been.
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i had plates put in over a year ago. my neck hurts so bad with shoulder and hand weakness. my pain management doctor says there is nothing to do. I feel sick all the time ,depressed and sore. standing or sitting for any length oof time is pretty bad but sitting with my arms on lap suck. my hands and arms go numb and mostly at night i get these electrical type pains across my chest which is scarey. I have two small boys who want me to play and i'm just to sore its sad. My dr. tells me aqua therapy might help a little but he will continue to control the pain with meds. adjusting the meds. as it gets worse when i get older im only 45. when the weather is rainy or cold i can't go outside my body seizes up. your not alone no one tells you any of this before surgery. good luck and take it easy (stress is also a big factor I find that makes it worse. I have to take a valium at night before bed to keep me asleep through the night if I get woken up I can not fall back asleep and the next day is just a waste. Sorry for the news I know other people that healed great! Not me I feel like I need to be in assisted living lol.
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It so sad to read all the post about failed neck surgery. I had my second on 3/12/12 I am still in the healing process , and I still have pain sometimes worse then before my surgery, my main concern was I had chect pain for so long and live alone and its scarey.. y arm and neck pain comes and goes, but there are times it doesnt hurt at all. I to have the plate that aurgery was 5/2010 all 7 disc in the neck for fusion and it was a nightmare and I never felt well since, so I had a second surgery in hopes of getting better. and get rid of the chest pain, I am hopeful that I will get better as I heal. and disc from the base of your brain thru your back can casue chest pain, when you get it, I try and move my body different or lay down different and it does disappear., a nerve pinches and causes the chest pain, I also use the roll on activon the red one it helps the pain in my arm greatly, Iknow were all in pain some in too much pain, but we ust try and think positive as I believe if you allow your self to get depressed and focus on the pain it takes over your life and makes it worse. I use prayer and try and think positive that this will get better, I wear the hard brace as much as possible to strengthen the neck, and now I use the bone growth device to help also. I wish you all good luck, and pray you will all get better. but try and think positive and help your mind take over the negative thinking. it only will make it worse.
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I had the same in 2007 and the nerve pain is to the point i can no longer deal with it .no insurance and no job .. really bad deal ..u can write me more at ssnjorden@yahoo.com
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I too just had back surgery and now have pain in right arm. My heart sinks to all on this wesite I know how difficult the pain can be.......
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My experience sounds like yours. I had 3 vertebra removed that were pressing against my spinal cord. I have been in awful pain since the surgery. My leg and right arm are still numb.
And now my left arm is hurting so bad I want to cut it off! Will this ever end..the pain? I sure would like to think so.
And now my left arm is hurting so bad I want to cut it off! Will this ever end..the pain? I sure would like to think so.
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Make sure you follow thru with you doctors orders with the collars and DON'T lift anything heavy, I suggest ever again. I have had cervical surgeries twice one year apart 7 years ago. After healing well and returning to normal activities like I was never injured was a major mistake. Protect your neck for the rest of your life. I wasn't careful enough and now live in excruciating pain.
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I agree with Paula...I have had two neck surgeries.......one front one back......with plate and screws...........becareful of your neck from now on!!!!! I wasnt and thought no big deal about lifting etc.......i stayed off the horses, rollercoasters, etc...but did things around the house .......and now iam paying the price.......its not worth it..there is just so much a surgery can do and after 2 surgeries iam done with having it cut on!! Too risky........treat it well! I still dont have alot of strength in arms and shoulders and its been 8 yrs.....but i can live with that................................
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