The last couple of weeks, by neck has started hurting pretty bad. Hello, Gilmore06. It may take weeks or months to fully recover. Patients may continue to feel some degree of pain three to six months after spinal fusion. Reading your post was like deja vu. Now, 6 months later, Im told my by my surgeon my fusion is healing perfectly and xray confirms this. Go to the Spine Health Support Group. Small disc protrusions mid and lower thoracic spine w/o mass effect. The cervical spinal canal is diminutive in caliberon a congenital basis. Both herniations were central (pushing into the cord, right up the middle) and I never had numbness or tingling, just pain/tightness. The patient's pain did not improve with 6 months of conservative treatment that included physical therapy and epidural injections. Mostly, this is hands on stretching by the therapist while you lie on the table. Other goals of surgery include: Improving neck pain. This website is the stand out source for me. I really haven't had many problems since the surgery, other than my neck being stiff. You can probably do all of this now. A coordinator will follow up to see if Mayo Clinic is right for you. Blood Clots. However, nearly all cases resolve spontaneously within 2 years, thus identifying patients who require more detailed or invasive work-up is a challenging task for clinicians. Drs fail to tell patients this, instead they go by what they read in textbooks in school. Pre-op most symptoms were in the left arm/shoulder/hand. Recovery time after ACDF surgery generally lasts about four to six weeks. C4-C5: Canal is decompressed status post fusion and discectomy. In some cases, however, patients go home the same day. How are you getting along". Do not use nicotine for at least three months. He told me he is almost able to pull my arm completely out of the socket. I didn't want possible hardware complications and I knew my body didn't like metals because of reactions I had with pierced earrings. Measurements have earlier been obtained before and 6 and 12 months after ACDF. -No discrete labral tear. If I don't get satisfactory answers with the neurosurgeon I am either going to go back to the shoulder doc ("if" the surgeon thinks it's a shoulder issue) or make an appointment with Mayo. This surgery involves the removal of a protruding disc from the spine for relief of pressure on the spinal nerves, followed by reconstruction. Do not use nicotine for at least three months. cervical disectomy fusion c4-5, c 5-6, severe cervical arthr, post anterior cervical disectomy recovery concerns, Numbness post-op c-5 c-6 cervical spine surgery, still in pain after anterior cervical disectomy, Pain in between shoulder blades following Anterior Cervical Discectomy Fushion Surgery-2 weeks Post, post ACDF 4-5,5-6 - still haveTerrible Pain, Anterior cervical fusion c3-4, c4-5, c5-6, Advise of post op symptoms Anterior Cervical Decompression, Cervical spine disectomy, fusion and titanium plate at C6-C7, 7 weeks post-op posterior cervical spine surgery, acdf 2 yrs-chronic shoulder and neck pain, Pain after anterior cervical diskectomy with fusion (ACDF), Neck, shoulder elbow pain. Interested in more discussions like this? A week later, Tom arrived at Dr. Kachmann's office. The best way I have found to do that is horseback riding. over a year ago, visitor283201 -Left long head of the biceps tendon is intact. I know I have posted before here but just wondered if anyone else feels like this. As a healthy (except for this) 28 year old, it seems concerning my spine is falling apart. What Causes Shoulder Pain After Drinking Alcohol? This is the most common question after three-level cervical fusion surgery. WebDysphagia after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is common, with a prevalence ranging between 28% and 57% of cases. I don't know what ACDF means. Drs fail to tell patients this, instead they go by what they read in textbooks in school. C3-C4: Minimal right uncovertebral hypertrophy. WebAlthough relatively rare, post-operative nerve injuries may occur after cervical spine procedures. TO GET AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS, YOU MUST VISIT A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL IN PERSON. Peolsson A, berg B, Wibault J, Dedering , Zsigmond P, Bernfort L, Kammerlind AS, Persson LC, Lfgren H. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. Typically this is nothing to be concerned about. WebIt is not uncommon to have pain in the neck following fusion surgery which slowly gets better over 12 to 18 months. I hope that's not the case though, as I'd imagine he is tired of this much like I am. I didn't take one muscle relaxer or pain pill after the surgery. A CT scan however would eliminate that lack of fusion diagnosis for pain generation as the CT test is the gold standard for determining if fusion is solid or not. over a year ago, ivyfern77759 See the section on the website regarding failed neck surgery syndrome. Doctors generally say that nerve pain can take up to a year to resolve, sometimes as long as 18 months depending on how long the nerve was compressed. Many times the symptoms are temporary, for example, many patients have nerve problems after surgery that only last for a C6-C7: Very subtle and minimal less than 1 mm grade retrolisthesis C6 on C7 without disc protrusion or mass effect This procedure (along with all other spine surgery procedures) requires the surgeon to navigate delicately around, and between nerves and muscles. Cervical Spondylosis (Arthritis Of The Neck): Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, Complications Of Anterior Cervical Discectomy And Fusion Surgery, What to Expect After Surgery to the Cervical Spine, Possible Complaints After Neck Fusion Surgery. One additional questionif the pain was facet originated, wouldnt the facets directly below the fusion site (in my case C4-C6 ACDF) bear the brunt of the new load? Take any medications that your doctor prescribes for pain and constipation. Hope you are", "@jenniferhunter thanks for your insight. The primary goal of surgery is to relieve your symptoms by decompressing, or relieving pressure on, the compressed nerves in your neck. After the procedure, the surgical area will remain inflamed as the body heals itself. Other goals of surgery include: Improving neck pain. Epub 2006 Dec 2. Welcome to the board. I would certainly prefer a conservative approach of course. See Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulators (TENS) So your fusion was in your cervical. 1. Here are a few of the findings: CLINICAL INDICATION: Radiculopathy, cervical region ACDF spanning C3-C6. over a year ago, Big Z The cervical spinal canal is diminutive in caliberon a congenital basis. Posts: 55. Epub 2007 Jul 17. Welcome to the board. An ACDF is a type of spine surgery used to treat neck issues by removing. Strengthening the spine can reduce pain and inflammation and help improve functionality and mobility. ACDF Recovery Tips. I know without cervical spine surgery, my quality of life would have suffered a lot, but I got my life back and I can do most anything I want to do and have no pain except for normal muscle aches because I just rode 20 miles on a horse. Most of head turning is done by C1 & C2, with a little bit of movement from C3 & C4. 2. A week later, Tom arrived at Dr. Kachmann's office. WHEN I STRETCH, IT FEELS LIKE I AM SEPERATING MY SPINE AND I HAVE INTENSE PAIN WHEN RETRACTING FROM THE STRETCH. Copyright 2004-2023 Duke University Health System, Neurophysiologic Intraoperative Monitoring May Be Feasible During Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy, Man Walks Again Weeks After Severing Spinal Column. Re: ACDF surgery 6 months after! Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a moderate disc herniation at the C4-C5 level, and flexion-extension cervical spine plain films showed hypermobility at the same level. Youre giving the patient possible significant neck pain. My arm pain cleared up shortly thereafter. To minimize discomfort, avoid sitting or lying down for long periods; change position or take a short walk every 20 minutes or so. MeSH Rothman Orthopaedic Institute offers several options for patients with spine disorders. No new disc protrusion or mass effect upon the canal. Permanent Restrictions After Spinal Fusion Three to six months after surgery: You can advance your level of activity but avoid lifting, twisting and bending in combination. Is It Just Shoulder Pain Or A Heart Attack? I had acdf at C5-C6. I also knew that my range of motion would be nearly the same with a fusion at C5/C6 because it isn't very involved with head turning. I was always treated with respect and explained everything throughly, that made it easy for everyone to understand. It also is normal to have some swallowing difficulty. THANKS! If i had known it was going to be such a pain after my surgery i would have looked for better options. Severe Leg Pain After Spinal Fusion WebHeadaches after ACDF surgery. I've asked my surgeon if that same procedure can be performed along my shoulder blades, sides of my neck and other shoulder as I have the same symptoms as you describe in these areas. I am back on the hamster wheel of not knowing if my issues are from a shoulder dysfunction or the cervical spine. the movement of the shoulder is being affected because of the weakness). I am 16 months post surgery now and life is awful. Permanent Restrictions After Spinal Fusion Three to six months after surgery: You can advance your level of activity but avoid lifting, twisting and bending in combination. National Library of Medicine It is very common to have some pain after the surgery, but when pain persists for months there are several possibilities. After that, a decision is made based on if they can offer medical help, and if that is yes, they will contact you about an appointment. It may take weeks or months to fully recover. You also have surgical scar tissue in an adjacent like you i can not sleep with out taking sleeping pills, my husband says i cry in my sleep i hurt so bad. Web3 Months Post ACDF JohnyH. Findings: The thoracic vertebral bodies are aligned with normal marrow signal. There may be numbness in the arms. Then I only have 2 days left in the hospital. If you have trouble breathing, call 911 or go to an emergency room immediately. Adv Orthop. During the surgery, the spine surgeon accesses the cervical vertebrae from the front of the neck. Three or four level fusion may require additional days. I have not been seeing my PT because of COVID-19, but I continue on my own as best I can. I do a lot of trail riding just at a walk, and I have to compensate for every step the horse takes with my back, and I do that with good posture and balance. Semin Neurol. The average recovery time is 4 to 6 weeks. Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is a type of spine surgery used for the treatment of neck or arm pain caused by cervical radiculopathy. I HAVE STABBING PAIN BETWEEN MY SHOULDER BLADES AND SEVERE MUSCLE SPASMS AND PAIN FROM THE BASE OF MY SKULL THROUGH MY SHOULDER AND DOWN INTO MY RIGHT ARM TO MY ELBOW. HE SAID THAT SHOULD BE A SMOOTH CURVATURE, NOT A HUMP, BUT CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT THAT AND NOT EVEN SURE THAT IS CAUSING PROBLEM. There may be numbness in the arms. Complications with anesthesia. over a year ago, Pain in the Neck68921 Coronado RA, Devin CJ, Pennings JS, Aaronson OS, Haug CM, Van Hoy EE, Vanston SW, Archer KR. I HAVE STABBING PAIN BETWEEN MY SHOULDER BLADES AND SEVERE MUSCLE SPASMS AND PAIN FROM THE BASE OF MY SKULL THROUGH MY SHOULDER AND DOWN INTO MY RIGHT ARM TO MY ELBOW. official website and that any information you provide is encrypted It was as close to a miracle I've ever experienced. Cervical spinal cord demonstrates normal caliber and signal with syrinx or abnormal enhancement. There is some imbibition of the intra-articular contrast into the superior labrum suggesting degeneration. On Jan 11th 2007 I had ACDF without plate or screws C6/C7 with only a soft collar perscibed. I had ACDF on C5 C6 about three weeks ago. Web3 Months Post ACDF JohnyH. DR IS OUT OF SUGGESTIONS. Conclusions: Some patients may need to start physical therapy about a month after ACDF and continue it for a couple more months. Both herniations were central (pushing into the cord, right up the middle) and I never had numbness or tingling, just pain/tightness. Also, discograms are a pre-surgical test which is again not generally recommended in the thoracic spine. You might want to look at our MFR discussion for information. Three months after undergoing C5-T1 anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), an active 60-year-old man from Florida began to experience recurrent neck and left shoulder pain. 2 Anteriorly and 1 posteriorly. Its a slow healing process, but in the end, the operation may end up being successful. WebPost-laminectomy pain syndrome is a significant cause of pain and disability. 2008 May-Jun;8(3):436-42. doi: 10.1016/j.spinee.2007.06.006. Infection. On Jan 11th 2007 I had ACDF without plate or screws C6/C7 with only a soft collar perscibed. I had been turned down 5 times by local surgeons who didn't understand my symptoms and none would help me, but I knew that this Mayo surgeon would understand because of reading about a similar symptom of leg pain that was caused by cervical stenosis. It is very common to have some pain after the surgery, but when pain persists for months there are several possibilities. It is FREE! The average recovery time is 4 to 6 weeks. Patients may continue to feel some degree of pain three to six months after spinal fusion. Along with the neck pain, I am also having shoulder pain. There may be a herniation at a level above or below and an MRI would reveal this possibility. Posts: 9,238. Outcome of physiotherapy after surgery for cervical disc disease: a prospective randomised multi-centre trial. They should wear a -Tendinosis at the insertion of the left subscapularis and supraspinatus tendons.