C5 nerve palsy after ACDF surgery

I woke up from posterior decompression surgery on October 28, 2015. Within a couple hours I started getting severe pain in both arms. Later that night, both arms were paralyzed.

Within 6 weeks, my left arm had almost full range of motion, but very weak and is still very weak.

My right arm is still paralyzed with no improvement. Doctors are disappointed that right has seen no improvement, but keep telling me that it should get better. All I can do is hope and pray.

The pain and numbness in arms is very hard to deal with. It is very bad. Taking 3 types of meds to fight the nerve pain and taking depression meds for my head.

It would be nice to keep this post going to get updates on progress.

I had triple fusion C4 - C7 on 20 Nov 2015 and woke up not able to use R arm. I went in fine. I have had MRI, CT scan & EMG last week. All screws and plate checked all OK. Dr recons it is the Brachial Plexus that has nerve damage and it will have to heal on it's own. He says PT will not help because the nerves are stretched.Dr has given support and follow up, so I feel better - I also think he is an awesome Dr. He took spurs of as well.
I have been reading that Curmin from Turmeric helps nerve & muscle regeneration, so I got some today. I am also drinking Cranberry tea (also helps nerves).
I have some improvement in strength and from not even being able to pull up my pants in hospital I am doing well at waste level. I can make a STOP sign to shoulder level, but my elbow comes right into my side. Numbness in thumb and side of hand, also in bicep.
I am at work (office job). So cannot take pain killers as they make me sleep so by night time I am desperate.
I understand the depression as I also have that ongoing 6 weeks now but I have hope as there is improvement.
Thanks for all the posts they have helped me.

How are you doing now? I have the same surgery and problem as you do, my surgery was 7/29/15 and can use my arm today but very very little deltoid use and bad pain. Laying flat on my back I can raise my arm but not standing.

At 11 weeks from op I could raise my arm above my head standing up. But only for a few seconds. That was 4/2/16. Since then to date I have gained strength and I can lift the kettle filled with 2 cups of water. I can hang washing on the line. Get a stress ball for when you are sitting it helps to rebuild the arm. I also swam a LOT just floating my arm and using it in passive movements. I stopped the turmeric but now take cranberry tablets and I have felt quicker improvement week on week in the nerves. I get pain at night in the neck and across both shoulders. I take 2 paracetamol and 1 Lyrica and I sleep well. Dr says Lyrica is non-addictive and very safe to take for a long time. I take it, no side effects. I can do a bit more each week, can wash mu hair get dressed, still slowly, but teeth brushing no - use electric one just great. I can drive. Numbness still in bicep but getting smaller in area and pins & needles still in thumb. Much more positive now Dr says it can take 2 years to regenerate the nerves again. So I am thrilled with my progress. I look after it though - no heavy lifting or long reaching. Hang in there, there is hope.

I'm 67 and had a Corpectomy nearly 4 months ago. It was a12 hour surgery because of a spinal leak complication. Following surgery I developed C-5 Palsy in both arms with the left arm being the worst. I have pain in both shoulders, the left being worst. It has been nearly 4 months now and I am seeing improvement in my right arm but minimal improvement in my left arm. I know this will take time to heal and I know that if I stay positive the healing process will be quicker. I can drive, feed myself and dress (difficult however) and hug my sweetheart so I feel blessed

TRY ACUPUNCTURE! In February 2008 I had c2-c7 posterior laminectomy, foraminotomy, and fusion + some other things I can't recall, at Cedars Sinai. 2 days post surgery, I developed severe C5 palsy in my left arm. Completely paralysed from the shoulder to elbow and minimal use and strength of the forearm and hands. 3 weeks post surgery, I developed the same thing in my right arm. Excruciating pain! After 2 1/2 month, my pain management doctor needed to get me off of the massive doses of opiates I was on and recommended acupuncture. I weaned off over 2 weeks and had the joy of withdrawals. At the same time, I tried an acupuncturist unsuccessfully, but another had been highly recommended. Within 3 minutes of him placing about 7 needles in each arm, I was able to lift my arms about 2 inches. It was miraculous because they were DEAD! I saw him every other day and at the end of 1 week could lift them to shoulder level. At 2 weeks I was able to lift them over my head! I went to my follow up appt with my surgeon at Cedars the next day (I wanted to surprise him) and he was astounded! He took me around to each doctor in the spine division. They all knew my story because it was so rare and severe. Each tested my strength and movement and were incredulous and insisted on asking about the acupuncture and who/where did it. My doctor ended up writing about me in a medical journal. If you develop C5 palsy PLEASE TRY ACUPUNCTURE! They assumed it would be at least 10 months before any movement started.

Kerry Getz

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I am 37 years old, I had ACDF on C3-C6. I had excruciating pain in my left arm, down my back, and down my right arm before surgery. After surgery, my left arm has fatigue with little pain. However, my right arm had little movement. After PT, I can now bend my right arm at the elbow. I still can't raise my right arm over my head. I need help to shower and dress. I was depressed, thanks to my husband and son, I am determined and making more and more improvement every day. Never give up hope and pray!!!

Now more than 11 months since surgery and much improved since my post 7 months ago. I am back to work and my right arm is 90% normal and left arm 50%. Not experiencing as much pain and although my motion is more limited than before surgery I have a goog quality of life. It takes patience and time - - keep a good attitude and stay active.

Ive had same procedure c3 to t2 acdf with fusion
Woke up from surgey c5 palsy left bicep and shoulder weak. Did pt 6 weeks after surgery at first a lot of improvement now level off. Can curl 5 lbs 8x no improvement for 3 months. In strength. But more coordination can lift arm higher do jabs shadow box. What kind or exercises do you how often. How much have you improve from start to current. Hsppy to gear someone is successful everybody else and ne have sad stories

Also when i do pt my nerve pain goes thru the roof level 8 pain for 36hrs So i take more pain meds then the 4 a day im allowed i run out and im labeled an abuser so dam if i do dam if idont

Wow great for you i had acdf 5months ago came out surgery c5 palsy there been some improvement i feel like i have 20% of strength in that bicep and shoulder. Pt said acupuncture is a modality that gas no proof it works. But gonna try.it. doctors think all the answers are in books. Not REAL LIFE. thank you. Bless u

I had a multi-level fusion in Dec 2016 on my neck. The third day woke up with c5 palsey in L shoulder.It has now been 7 mos took pt for 4 mos now working out on my own. I can now lift my arm over my head but can't hold it but little over chest high.Cant move arm much in a outward pattern from side.On positive side back playing golf some but dealing with a lot of upper shoulder spasms.I can tell it's getting better but slowly. My surgeon tells me it could take up to 12 months . I just keep pushing.

Kerry-I'm 6 months out with bilateral c-5 palsy after c-3-c-7 acdf. Minimal and slow recovery...so I'm trying acupuncture because of your post Can you give me more details and maybe the contact information for your provider? I'm desperately hoping this works. THANK YOU
Marilyn Brenneman

I had surgery 9-15-17.  Had three disks replaced in my neck (c5, c6 and c7).  A few years ago I also had a total shoulder replacement.  After neck surgery, when I woke in the hospital room, I immediately noticed I could not raise my left arm, which was the one with the implant.  It is now Nov 14th.  While I was in the hospital recovering from neck surgery, none of the doctors or nurses or aides wanted to discuss my shoulder.  I think they were afraid of a law suit but I just wanted to know what the heck happened in surgery to mess my arm up.  

This last week, I had a ct-scan done on my shoulder and yesterday an EMG test was done on the left arm.  These were ordered by my ortho doc.  Still waiting for the results of the ct-scan, but the EMG doc said I have a traumatized C5 nerve.  My arm doesn't hurt but I can't even lift my arm to a straight out position from my body.  I can lift it about half of that distance so about 45 degrees is my entire range of motion.  My ortho doc told me sometimes the way they pin your arms during neck surgery stretches the nerves and can actually rip muscles.  The EMG doc said it is actually quite common for this to happen during neck surgery.  The is the part the neck doctor left out as she explained the procedure and possible side effects of neck surgery.

In a few days, I'll know what the results are.  I am praying I don't have to have shoulder surgery again.  I've had two already and if the rotator cuff was ripped during neck surgery, they will have to take my implant completely out and put in a reverse shoulder replacement that doesn't need the rotator cuff.  

I have never been so disgusted with doctors in my life.  I had my surgery in Joplin Missouri. 

It feels good just to get this out.  I have searched and searched online trying to find out if this has happened to someone else.  

Thanks for letting me vent.  

Jenn

I am a 54 year old who had the same surgery and also have c5 palsy in my dominent arm (right) and it has been 5 months now and it is still numb and aches. I type for a living and it is impossible to do at this point. Wish he would have warned me prior to surgery.