cervical laminectomy recovery

Guest over a year ago

My mom is 72 and had a cervical lami about 2 months ago. She is not walking yet and can't even urinate on her own. She has also lost use of left arm (partial-paralysis). The catheter for her urine is causing infections and it takes a toll on her and impedes on her PT. We are still hopeful but looking for someone to give us some hope that she may be able to walk again :'(

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kleebe179805 over a year ago

I am 65 and had C-2 through C6 laminectomy and fusion Nov 2010. I had no symptoms--they found during an MRI for a different problem that I had critical stenosis and chord bruising and since I am an active sports person, a blow to the back or head could cause paralysis. Went to three neurosurgeons and while they approached the surgery in different ways, they all agreed I was a "walking time bomb" and should have surgery. After two weeks I was off all pain medication except a muscle relaxant--Soma. Started physical therapy in December which involved stretching and light weights. I feel fine (keep in mind I had no pain prior to the procedure) except I get up several times a night with muscle pain from the neck muscles they cut which I assume is from my head being in one/wrong positionwhile sleeping and also if I sit too long which I think is using the muscles to hold up the head. Have tried all kinds of pillows and neck supports without any relief. My surgeon said that some people recover from the muscle pain in a few months, some a year and some never do which is not encouraging especially since I had no symptoms prior to surgery.

Anybody else have/had the same problems with sleeping and muscle pain and if so, any suggestions other than special pillows or neck collars?

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Guest over a year ago

I had a cervical laminectomy done on September 9, 2011. A few months up to then, I was having severe pain in my right shoulder & arm. Worst pain I've ever experienced in my life. I would wake up at 3 AM whimpering. So, overall I'm glad I had the procedure done, even though now I owe $40,000 in hospital bills. Another drawback is that the "geniuses" at Carter Blood Care won't let me donate blood because I received a disc graft from a cadaver. I have to wait a year before I can donate again. Bummer -- I was an 8-gallon donor. Another thing: When you enter the hospital, make sure your doctor sends direct orders to provide all the meds you need, because doctors are God and they won't give you the time of day without a doctor's permission.

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stufa221225 over a year ago

My advice would be surgery as a last resort.If you can manage the pain then carry on..I had surgery 7 years ago.I had muscle swelling after the op which has now damaged the nerves. I came out of hospital considerably worse than when i went in. I have had neck arm pain, numbness in feet and fingers all of which i didnt have before surgery. If i knew it would be like this I would never have done the op

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vonlucie over a year ago

My husband had one performed yesterday. This morning he is unable to stand. I am not sure if this is only temporary as it is only early days. If you want me to keep you up to date with his progress I would be glad to. I know how hard it is to sit at home worrying about it. Yvonne

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Guest over a year ago

I had this surgery Sept 7/11 and it was good but I still have some numbness in my hands and feet.

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comish9 over a year ago

How is the numbness now????? I am have Cervical in 2 days and want to know abou the pain in the hand and arm. Does it go away?

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Ricardo Lijertwood over a year ago

I had a posterior cervical laminectomy (c1,c2 fusion with screws and plate) in 2006 at Jackson Memorial and have had no problems since then. I do however have to be careful lifting heavy as I would get muscle strain - but no more pain and numbness. In fact I was recently involved in a motor vehicle accident - hit from behind and suffered whiplash but only minor muscle strain.

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tony over a year ago

I had same type of surgery and i will say it was the most painful experiece i ever had. as far a strefgnth - go to a gym and do some wt. lifting for your shoulders and arms and you will see your stregnthcome back.
Tonytony

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Betty Mead over a year ago

My husband is 4 weeks post-op after cervical laminectomy of C3-7 and fusion of C7 and T1. He was in such severe pain for 3 months that even Methadone was useless. Now after surgery, he is in the same pain and now has partial paralysis of his right arm and walking with a walker due to his weakness and poor balance. He was in inpatient rehab for 10 days. Now that I read other stories, I just wonder why the surgeon never prepared us for this kind of post-op pain and physical disability. He is in a different rehab now and maybe he will improve in the next 6 months, but it doesn't sound like this is a realistic timeline.:'(

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Guest over a year ago

I am really sorry to hear of you bad experience I had a c6-c7 fusion through the front of my neck 3 weeks ago, had terrible pain in my left arm before the opp. The operation relieved the immediately and at the mement I am left with the hint on cramp in both arms and numb index finders, I use ice packs on my neck and shoulders and get good results from this, maybe it will hepl you.

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jk_67 over a year ago

You seem to be the only person with a positive experience. I am scheduled for surgery 12/12 and am super scared. I am on the fence, but have so much pain and am loosing use of my right thumb. ugh .....what to do.....thanks for your positive input

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ssj278043 over a year ago

How long has he been in pain and what has he tryed

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aboggsly over a year ago

I had this surgery last January C3-C7. For the first two weeks after surgery I had extremely terrible pain. About the third week things started getting better. I am fine now with no pain.

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Uday over a year ago

Hi All,

I've gone thru all your posts, they were very much informative, thank you for the sharing your experiences of posterior effects laminactomy procedure.

My father, he is of 67 yrs, had undergone Cervical laminactomy (C3- D1) 19-Nov-2013, he got discharged on POD 5(23-Nov), he is felling very difficulty in moving his right leg and right hand after the surgery, slowly in 2 days of time he could move his right hand, still he feels like loss of right leg, he is unable to hold the substances, felling like lost his fingers.

Not supporting physiotherapist to have the streaches of hands and legs. Always laying down on the his back.When try make him to sit, he feels like he is falling.

I called Surgeon many times, and getting the same responce like "pain is very subjective, quite common".Even pain killers are not showing any improvement in his heeling.

I would like to see him standing and walking as he was before the surgery.

Please suggest me what can be done to improve his condition. Do we need to undergo any diagonistics to identify the issue with his pains.

Thanks in advance

Uday

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