cervical C 6-7 fusion recovery

I had my surgery on the 23rd of May 2008. They removed 2 discs, fused cadaver bone and inserted a plate. I also experienced throat soreness, pain between my shoulder blades and nausea. I think the Vicotin the Dr. put me on gave me serious acid reflux. I was able to start driving after 5 days, but experienced limited range of motion when looking to the left. I wore my neck brace for about 5 days, mostly while a passenger in a car.
After 2 weeks, I scaled back the Vicotin to once a day a couple of hours before going to bed. It's been four weeks since the surgery and I still have some neck pain and from time to time feel light-headed. I also still have a hard time sleeping. My throat feels a lot better, and the pain between my shoulder blades is all but gone now. The significant loss of strength in my right arm that I suffered before the surgery (herniated disc was pinching a nerve) subsided almost immediately after the surgery. My Primary Care Doc wants me to wait another week before starting physical therapy. I guess every patient is different. I hope this post helps answer some questions and concerns.

I had surgery 12/02/2008. Removed disc C5 & C6, inserted cadiver shin bone and secured plate with screws. I expected sore throat but not painful swollowing. Took pain pills for a few days. Throat is fine after a week. Nobody told me about the real pain between shoulder blades. Feel like been hit in the back with a bat. Sometimes muscle cramps in same area. Vibarator and shower massage helps. The numbness, tingling, shock thru shoulder and down arm vanished. Wearing collar 2 weeks until I see doctor. Began to feel tingling in hand when I looked up. Stopped tilting head back. Doctor prescribed something to stimulate nerve regrowth/repair.
Been sleeping, walking, talking, watching movies and working at desk since surgery. Expect to return to normal without collar after post opt. exam by doctor 2 weeks after surgery.
I am 69 and feel blessed. Great relief of pain from rapidly deterating disc.
:-D

Had my surgery 9 days ago. I was nervous going in and at the urging of co-workers and family switched from an orthopedic specialist to a neuro surgeon at the last minute. It must have been the right choice. I was up and walking 4 hours after surgery with no pain and complete relief of the incapacitating arm and shoulder pain. I had been bedridden for 10 days prior to surgery and unable to move my head or neck at all. More on this latter.

Procedure was standard entry through the front of the neck, removal of two badly crushed disks and installation of metal plates with a synthetic spacer inserted instead of the cadaver/hip graft I'd been expecting. Will be wearing the cervical collar for at least a month while active (take it off when just sitting around the house). Swallowing was unpleasant for about 5 days but is pretty much normal now. My voice seems to be getting worse which may be my fault. I'm probably trying to talk to people way too much because I'm feeling so great post surgery. Driving is possible now though, I need to be really careful with visibility when trying to make sharp turns due to restricted mobility.

Problems - I seem to have had a bad reaction to the steristrips, bandages or glue in them. Really unpleasant rash where the bandages were. Burns like crazy when anything brushes against the area, like the cervical collar.
The tip of my index finger on the arm that was numb has not gotten feeling back yet. I.m afraid this may be permanent. Similar issue on the other hand from a carpal tunnel surgery I put off too long. The nerves never recovered.

Warning - I messed around with "giving it time to heal on it's own", "physical therapy", "epidural steroid shots", EMG testing way too long, 5 months total. Suddenly, 3 weeks ago the pain and numbness went critical for no reason, essentially leaving me incapacitated. It hit me at work right after I arrived and I could barely raise my head off my chest enough to drive home 4 hours latter after making I finished making all the calls to find a new, highly recommended surgeon, start sick leave, etc. THIS WAS UNBELIEVABLY STUPID OF ME! The delay in getting treatment was a major mistake and will likely cause me permanent nerve damage on that index finger I mentioned above. The surgery is scary, the complications are scary, but what I went through because I delayed treatment was 10 times worse. I knew the less invasive treatments weren't working, and looking back the problem was probably getting worse all along. And the multiple epidural shots and PT ended up costing as much again as the surgery.

Advice
Don't wait too long before deciding on corrective surgery. Damage can accelerate rapidly.
Choose your doctor wisely. I got widely decriptions of results and varying recommendations from people. Ended up with the number 2 man on the list (number 1 was booked too far out and I could not have endured the drive to his office 40 miles away).
Get out of the surgery center as fast as possible - I was developing a repsiratory infection from the crappy air in the hospital, There were 20 strangers a day tramping through my room to visit my room mate some of whom were sick. Hospital are a place to go to get surgery and to die. Hanging around one is bad news. (Based on experience with 10 major surgeries in 3 years.) Each day inpatient seems to cost a week of extra recovery time.
On the drive home - have a pillow to support your head and a driver who is not a lead foot. Acceleration feels like a lead weight on your throat. Sharp acceleration uphill (the worst) felt like a hiking boot stomping on my throat! If you get that feeling reach back and with your hand on the back of your head, gently pull it forward against the acceleration. Same trick helps when getting up from a chair or off a bed when you have reclined too far.

Pain Control-
From my personal experience. Nothing helped the nerve pain much if at all. Neurontin with Soma might have helped a little. Celebrex and Epidural Steroids were useles and may have made me feel enough better that I was progressively worsening the injury. Vicoden and Hydrocodone were useless. Narcotic pain killers just make you stupid and slow recovery. Stick with Tylenol. (Avoid aspirin, NSAIDs, etc. tehy prevent healing pre and post surgical.)

Hope some of this info from a very satisified patient helps you in your healing.

Fusion on c- c7 ( second fusion 19 years after first one at c 5 c 6) with plate.
Complete relief from shoulder pain and neck muscle pain on right after surgery.
Released same day.
Much pain in throat and swallowing issues now getting somewhat better after 6 weeks.
Still have some stiffness in neck and shoulder area but certainly worth the risk as the pain before was so unbearable at time.
I was on Hydrocodone for over two years and decided to go off them cold Turkey ( wrong move as it was terrible and I don't advise this).
i am clean from hydrocodone and honestly i think the withdrawals were the worst part of the whole operation.
I have about the same limit in range of motion as I had with just one fusion so there is no difference in that regard.
If you are suffering get this done as its worth it and please dont get hooked on pain pills as its not any fun coming off of them

I had the cervical fusion on C5-6 with cadaver bone and the titanium plate as you all described. My pain radiating down the arm was gone immediately after I woke up from surgery. I am still having the difficulty swallowing (feels like something stuck in my throat all the time) and the muscle spasms between my shoulder blades. I am still sleeping on a heating pad every night. I wonder how long the muscle spasms last?

In reply to the muscle spasms question, that depends on several things. One of them is how long you waited after the onset of your problems before you had surgery and also how many levels you had fused. The other variable is your body, everyone is different. In my case, I am going on 11 weeks after my 2 level and the spasms are still here but getting better I think. At least the flexeril and lortabs are now working somewhat.

A lot of the good posts I have read about seem to say they are doing good after 4-6 weeks. My NS says it will take another 8 weeks for me, which will make it a total of 18weeks.

Hope this helps a bit.
Rob

I had rotator cuff surgery and 5 days later felt great. unfortunately on the eve of the 5th day i fell on ice and had shooting pains radiating from my elbow down to my hand and up my bicep/tricep area. Within 3 days i lost all ability to move my right index/right thumb. i can move the main joint area but cannot bend the finger/thumb. I had the numbness and tingling sensations and OMG pain for weeks. Originally i was told i would be having surgery, but then switched to injections in the C5-6 area. Docs will not allow me to start PT on the shoulder until they can get movement back in the hand. Right wrist gives out with any pressure and still cannot grasp anything. Anyone else out there had anything like this? Oh BTW active military (Army) with only 3 years to go until retirement. MRI/EMG was done showing narrowing of spinal canal. say that it is degenerative.

I had C 5-7 with fusion done on March 10th 2009, am doing better than I was, the only throat issue I have is on the left side between the nose & throat a bacterial infection it made my tonsils swell and become impacted with hard tonsil rocks. I don't know if it is because I asperarted( Don't think I spelled that right) or not plus it affected my right side quite a bit. When I first came out of surgery it literally hurt my skin to be touched, and the sensation to cold hurt my right hand & my right leg dragged, I had to use a walker for awhile.
Had the hard collar for 2 months now the soft one for another 4 weeks until I go back to the Doc. I 'm hoping that I get to take it off for good when I go see him. I read that it takes up to 2 years to fully recover from this , has anyone else been told that?
I still have the pain where it all began in my rib area in my left side back.
Anyway I was just wondering if anyone has had any of theses experiences

:-D
I read your posts and after having 40 years of neck pain, I finally had surgery C 4-7 fusion by a superior surgeon who is a saint and his staff are great. He is wee known and I know God led me to him. It hasn't been an easy road back but it also wasn't easy to get here, either. Numerous accidents and years of playing, working etc. I am a 53 yr old vigorous woman and have sought God all along. I know His peace with how things are right now...I have found a few things that really help me.
1) leaning on God - It's been a pretty special time, though difficult and lonely sometimes. 2) I get a deep tissue massage weekly and have for several years. My massage therpist knows my body and is cauitous aroundmy surgery areas. 3) My PT is excecllent and involved. She is like a cop when it comes to keeping an eye on me. She says core strengthening is key. I find I can overdue it so easily.
4) My body must be balanced in it's ph - I stay away from acidic foods/ drinks and am not as achey as I was. I am nearly a vegitarian and have to push to eat proteins. I also take supplements per a nutrtionist 5) Acupuncture can really help with the healing process - strengthen nerve pathways. 6) I have had a recurrance of occipital neuralgia (ouch!) and my NS says it will resolve - my c spine was moved 21 degrees so lots of adjusting since I was kyphotic. I'm giving myself time though it's hard because there is no manual on recovery phases or steps. I work as a teacher with at-risk kids and work 1/2 time to pay the bills. It's hard to rest but I must....
We can get through this! Surround yourself with helpful professionals - eat healthy - Juicing is very good for us and detoxing imperative. Yep, I am on pain meds but I was anyway! I am on the road to recovery. Had surgery in June and it's October. People says I look better and younger! Gee, thanks. I've also lost weight. Wahoo!
I am praying for you who are scared, suffering and frustrated. Take a deep breath. You are not alone and there is help out there. You've just gotta find it. Above all, seek the LORD's love and strength.
We shall endure.
S

Hi i have read your story about having your neck fused,, well i am going in 4 the same thing done this month but on C2 to C7 and i am really scared about having it done,, do you have any advice ???? please reply i am scared x

Hi i have read your story n i do feel for you,, i have got the same thing from C2-C7 due to having an illness when i was a baby,, i am having them fused this month,, i was wondering if you have any advice you could help me with.. Please reply a scared 18 year old x

i had my fusion in 2008 i still have so much pain in my shoulder. Muscle are so tight. please help.

I had the exact surgery you did, back in 1999.  I can't believe you lost your voice.  I never lost mine.  I'm curious to know if you're still experiencing chronic pain, because if you are, it's not because your nerves are healing, it's because you have permanent nerve damage.  Also, you should never have physical therapy on your neck after neck surgery.  Whoever prescribed that should be investigated and sued for malpractice, especially if a plate was installed in your neck.  No one, I repeat, no one should ever "work on" your neck after you have a fusion because your neck has been fused.  Not a physical therapist, not a chiropractor, no one.  It's common sense.  Why would you want someone to move around an area of your body that's been surgically fused?  

How are you doing now?

Did you ever get your voice back.  I have lost mine too and I am a singer.