Had fusion at c6/7 eight days ago. Pain on left shoulder/arm unbearable before. That's gone now but RIGHT shoulder/arm pain incredibly intense, more so than what I felt on left prior. Doc says this is because nerve root was compressed and is "agitated" after being set free, and one can't judge improvement in less than three weeks.
I have my doubts. I can't imagine this resolving on its own. I noticed another poster with similar outcomes. Comments very much welcome.
I have my doubts. I can't imagine this resolving on its own. I noticed another poster with similar outcomes. Comments very much welcome.
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I know how you feel, my c6/7 was also fused and that was Sept 25th, 2007. I just came back from my 9 month follow-up. I went feeling like you did, that something was worng and how could it still hurt so much 9 months later.
It didn't help that the week before a man ran a red light and totalled out my car. Fortunately I was wearing a soft neckbrace at the time.
So I was in more pain than usual when I saw my doctor. I just knew my head was going to fall off and that the fusion was spoiled. It wasn't, xrays and CT scans showed the bone was healing fine and the fusion held.
I asked why all the pain and his answer was inflamed nerves and soft tissue damage, I still didn't quite believe him even though I trust my dosctor.
He gave me what is called "trigger point injections" in the area that hurt. My pain is located a good 7 inches below the fusion, in the middle of my back and between the shoulder blades. My neck almost never hurts.
I received 5 deep tissue injections. Before he finished the 5th injection I was already getting relief. Before he finshed bandaging me up the deep pain was gone, the shot locations were all that was left hurting.
It proved to me, beyond doubt that inflamed nerves and soft tissue damage are whats causing me most of my prblems. That referall pain as they call it can really fool us.
Hang in there, pain is going to be with you for a while. Take the pain pills because it aids in the healing process, giving your body the relief it needs.
Trust your doctor and listen to him. You'll start to feel good someday soo, but you won't be healed yet. Don't over do it PERIOD!!
Following his orders will prevent you from damaging the fusion and you don't want to go through this again. The main reason for fusion failure is that people feel good and go out and do something they weren't supposed too. That is especially true of younger people.
I say a show last night about beach rescues in San Diego.
They rescued a 23 year old man that had been caught in a riptide while swimming. They didn't understand why he was having so much problems, then he started coughing up blood.
A friend came up and told the lifeguard that he had just had serious lung surgery, with parts of his lung removed just 2 weeks before. That's when the lifeguards knew why he was having so many problems.
His eagerness to return to a normal life too soon was the reason he was messed up. Hang in there and listen to your doctor.
It didn't help that the week before a man ran a red light and totalled out my car. Fortunately I was wearing a soft neckbrace at the time.
So I was in more pain than usual when I saw my doctor. I just knew my head was going to fall off and that the fusion was spoiled. It wasn't, xrays and CT scans showed the bone was healing fine and the fusion held.
I asked why all the pain and his answer was inflamed nerves and soft tissue damage, I still didn't quite believe him even though I trust my dosctor.
He gave me what is called "trigger point injections" in the area that hurt. My pain is located a good 7 inches below the fusion, in the middle of my back and between the shoulder blades. My neck almost never hurts.
I received 5 deep tissue injections. Before he finished the 5th injection I was already getting relief. Before he finshed bandaging me up the deep pain was gone, the shot locations were all that was left hurting.
It proved to me, beyond doubt that inflamed nerves and soft tissue damage are whats causing me most of my prblems. That referall pain as they call it can really fool us.
Hang in there, pain is going to be with you for a while. Take the pain pills because it aids in the healing process, giving your body the relief it needs.
Trust your doctor and listen to him. You'll start to feel good someday soo, but you won't be healed yet. Don't over do it PERIOD!!
Following his orders will prevent you from damaging the fusion and you don't want to go through this again. The main reason for fusion failure is that people feel good and go out and do something they weren't supposed too. That is especially true of younger people.
I say a show last night about beach rescues in San Diego.
They rescued a 23 year old man that had been caught in a riptide while swimming. They didn't understand why he was having so much problems, then he started coughing up blood.
A friend came up and told the lifeguard that he had just had serious lung surgery, with parts of his lung removed just 2 weeks before. That's when the lifeguards knew why he was having so many problems.
His eagerness to return to a normal life too soon was the reason he was messed up. Hang in there and listen to your doctor.
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Hi, I read your posts and I am 8 weeks post op with the same pain in my shoulders. I just had 1 injection a few days ago which helped some. It sounds like you had several at once that really helped. I am thinking I need that many at one time. I am still in a lot of pain and needed to get better quicker htan this. I have a disabled son to take care of and I have to be able to lift him. He is totally dependent on all care. I have help but we are having to pay for most of that and the money is going fast. I am now freaking out that this whole thing is going to take a lot longer than I thought. I figured my now all would be well and I would be back taking care of him, that is the my neurosurgeon made it seem before the surgery. How are you doing now, I saw your post was rather old but was buroius about your pain level now? Thanks.
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