Until about a month ago I noticed a lot of pain in my left shoulder and down my arm. Welcome to the board. @jenniferhunter thanks for your insight. Has anyone experience consistent sore throat and sleep apnea? It is possibly you might have a tad of permanent nerve damage but you won't know for many more months. Despite a rather small study obtained the stability of 6-month and 3-year results indicates that short-term results might be sufficient for evaluating effects of the treatment. On Jan 11th 2007 I had ACDF without plate or screws C6/C7 with only a soft collar perscibed. According to the parameters studied 50 - 78% of those who at the 6-month follow-up were without deficit were still healthy at the 3-year follow-up. It's been almost a year since my surgery. The artificial disc was removed and an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) with iliac crest bone graft was performed to reconstruct the C6-C7 level. Six month after surgery to this day I have pain across my upper back. I do know that I have a bulging lumbar disc that cracks on rotation, and I have less issues with that because of core strength. and screws. Doing two or more movements together puts the back at high risk for injury so be careful! The cervical spinal canal is diminutive in caliberon a congenital basis. In fact, ACDF surgeries have an average success rate of between 73% to 100%. Recovery time after ACDF surgery generally lasts about four to six weeks. Pre-op most symptoms were in the left arm/shoulder/hand. Any ideas? Typically this is nothing to be concerned about. Cervical fusion is generally considered safe, however, it is major surgery. Strengthening the spine can reduce pain and inflammation and help improve functionality and mobility. 8600 Rockville Pike My surgeon constantly reiterates your neck is fused, its not your neck, frustrating. All Rights Reserved. During the surgery, the spine surgeon accesses the cervical vertebrae from the front of the neck. Some patients may need to start physical therapy about a month after ACDF and continue it for a couple more months. This inflammation can impact the nerves and cause some numbness. Youre giving the patient possible significant neck pain. No lumbar pain). It's been almost a year since my surgery. I had no hardware and had to be really careful not to do anything until I fused, but it was at the 4 month mark that I was beginning to fuse and was cleared to begin PT and myofascial release again. I had to stop seeing my PT because of social distancing now, and I'm doing what I can at home to maintain my progress. @jenniferhunter do you have any thoughts on what I posted? Other goals of surgery include: Improving neck pain. My upper traps and entire upper back is constantly in spasm. WebMuscle pain after Cervical Fusion Surgery may be due to a new shoulder injury. A number of potential diagnoses are possible. This surgery involves the removal of a protruding disc from the spine for relief of pressure on the spinal nerves, followed by reconstruction. Drs fail to tell patients this, instead they go by what they read in textbooks in school. Question: How was the source of the patients pain confirmed, and what minimally invasive approach did Haglund take to resolve it? After several rounds of facet joints injections, constant NSAIDS and muscle relaxers, my symptoms in my original post have persisted. You also have surgical scar tissue in an adjacent area if you had a frontal approach in your surgery. But you cant know this for sure until almost a year has passed. I have to also say that the physical therapy and myofascial release I did before spine surgery prepared me well for a great recovery, and I had an excellent surgeon. The differential is now down to facets in the lower cervical spine, thoracic degenerative disc disease, neuropathic pain syndrome, Scheuermanns disorder or a rib/vertebral articulation (as long as the ACDF is a solid fusion). It's incredibly weird, as so many movements hurt. According to the parameters studied 50 - 78% of those who at the 6-month follow-up were without deficit were still healthy at the 3-year follow-up. They should wear a ACDF Recovery Tips. 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. I understand your concern with that image. I would certainly prefer a conservative approach of course. WebDysphagia after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is common, with a prevalence ranging between 28% and 57% of cases. WebIn the end, after recovering from anterior cervical fusion surgery, most patients report significant improvements and a decrease in pain. I asked my surgeon what I could do that would lessen my chances of needing his services again, and he told me to build core strength. Chiropractic treatment can be effective if this is the case. This is the most common question after three-level cervical fusion surgery. I have not been seeing my PT because of COVID-19, but I continue on my own as best I can. WebThe ACDF helps to relieve symptoms such as neck pain, numbness and tingling in the arms, shoulders, or hand, shooting pain in the arms, weakness of hands, or lower extremities. Hello! I know I have posted before here but just wondered if anyone else feels like this. Office Exercises: Computer Related Neck And Shoulder Pain Solutions, Cervical spine fusion for herniated disk in neck, Neck And Shoulder Pain While Working At A Computer, Cure Shoulder Pain- 6 Top Secrets to End Shoulder Problems Revealed, Recovery After Posterior Cervical Spine Surgery, Recovering From Anterior Cervical Discectomy And Fusion Surgery. Hello. There was terminology in that paper that I looked up and in doing that, I found medical literature with cases like mine that were described as a rare presentation. There may be numbness in the arms. My original symptoms were bilateral, symmetrical muscle aches/burning in my arms (wrists, forearms, deltoids). Neither of the shoulder issues was the source of my ongoing pain, it was caused by my spine (cervical stenosis) and TOS. However, an ACDF is still considered major surgery, and complete recovery from an ACDF procedure can take between three to six months. If you have pain early on, that can actually just be part of the operation. 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. Doing two or more movements together puts the back at high risk for injury so be careful! C6-C7: Very subtle and minimal less than 1 mm grade retrolisthesis C6 on C7 without disc protrusion or mass effect PT, and myofascial release can help a lot, and when there is a structural problem to correct, look for the best surgeon you can find because that helps you have a successful procedure and recovery. It is FREE! See Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulators (TENS) Any surgery will come with a set of risks and potential complications to look out for. Any surgery will come with a set of risks and potential complications to look out for. The average recovery time is 4 to 6 weeks. MOVING MY HEAD IN ANY WAY SENDS SHARP PAINS THROUGH MY NECK, SHOULDERS AND IN THE CENTER OF MY SHOULDER BLADES. I also have left side neck pain in the morning that I didn't have much of until now. There is straightened cervical spine lordosis with preserved alignment, normal marrow signal, and no prevertebral soft tissue swelling. over a year ago, Pain in the Neck68921 WebIt is not uncommon to have pain in the neck following fusion surgery which slowly gets better over 12 to 18 months. Join Date: Sep 2004. Dont forget that other structures can refer pain to that area (heart and thoracic aorta among others). Posts: 55. Hello, I am currently 6 months out from a two level ACDF (c4-c6). Measurements have earlier been obtained before and 6 and 12 months after ACDF. I highly recommend Dr. Corenman and the Steadman Clinic. Semin Neurol. I seemed to bounce back fairly quickly with the first one. The more I open that up and release the tightness, the better my arm feels and I breathe better too. and screws. Posts: 9,238. Here are a few of the findings: CLINICAL INDICATION: Radiculopathy, cervical region ACDF spanning C3-C6. Complications with anesthesia. Drs fail to tell patients this, instead they go by what they read in textbooks in school. over a year ago, vicdar68302 Thank you, I am pursuing the CT scan. Coronado RA, Devin CJ, Pennings JS, Aaronson OS, Haug CM, Van Hoy EE, Vanston SW, Archer KR. THE PAIN RETURNED ABOUT 6 WKS AFTER SURGERY. The stenosis in Tom's cervical spine was serious, causing spinal compression at four levels. Both herniations were central (pushing into the cord, right up the middle) and I never had numbness or tingling, just pain/tightness. I've already looked at them, as I have a copy of the disk. C3-C4: Minimal right uncovertebral hypertrophy. See the section on the website regarding failed neck surgery syndrome. Number one, you should always be concerned about non-union of the bone graft. 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. According to the parameters studied 50 - 78% of those who at the 6-month follow-up were without deficit were still healthy at the 3-year follow-up. My pain was immediately gone, and my arm feels great. I did the bouncing back and forth between these two specialists prior to surgery and don't want to do it again. On Sunday, I rode about 20 miles on hilly terrain and was really exhausted after that because of not riding for months during winter, but now, I feel much stronger. Do not use nicotine for at least three months. Safety and feasibility of an early telephone-supported home exercise program after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion: a case series. Here are a few of the findings: CLINICAL INDICATION: Radiculopathy, cervical region ACDF spanning C3-C6. My low back is fine, no problems there! Typically it takes at least 12 months or longer to completely heal from this surgery. If you do have TOS, it causes compression of nerves in the brachial plexus and blood vessels where they pass between the ribs and collar bone. My pain was immediately gone, and my arm feels great. A week later, Tom arrived at Dr. Kachmann's office. The most common symptoms of nerve damage after surgery are usually numbness, tingling, burning, muscle weakness or atrophy. HHS Vulnerability Disclosure, Help After surgery, patients should eat soft foods and liquids until their first follow-up appointment. THE PAIN RETURNED ABOUT 6 WKS AFTER SURGERY. I took a photo of it and have attached it here. This surgery involves the removal of a protruding disc from the spine for relief of pressure on the spinal nerves, followed by reconstruction. Randomized, prospective, and controlled clinical trial of pulsed electromagnetic field stimulation for cervical fusion. My pain management doctor did two rounds of facet injections at T3-T6 which provided no relief. This is also how I rehabbed after my spine surgery beginning at 7 months post op with my doctor's permission, but also with the understanding that there is risk with horses. It's as if it's gotten worse. People with their back and neck issues deserve to get better, get their life back, and get back to work. Bone healing may take as long as 12 months, but generally, activities are unrestricted after 3-6 months. Viewing 6 posts - 1 through 6 (of 14 total). There is very mild exaggeration of thoracic kyphosis. Rejection of a graft or other structures. Spine J. Doing two or more movements together puts the back at high risk for injury so be careful! The screw can be inserted incorrectly and advanced into a nerve or facet joint causing pain and weakness. like you i can not sleep with out taking sleeping pills, my husband says i cry in my sleep i hurt so bad. Hope you are", "@jenniferhunter thanks for your insight. My physical therapist started doing manual work on Thursday instead of the ASTYM she was doing on my arm. WebBackground:Dysphagia is a common complication immediately following anterior cervical spine surgery.However, its onset more than 1-year postoperatively is rare. What Can You Do to Relieve Pain after Disc Fusion? I had ACDF on C5 C6 about three weeks ago. Join Date: Sep 2004. Unauthorized use of these marks is strictly prohibited. Now, 6 months later, Im told my by my surgeon my fusion is healing perfectly and xray confirms this. I had found the answer myself in medical literature and asked for help in bringing that to the attention of the surgeon, and none of the doctors would help with that even though I had been their patients for several years before I saw the spine surgeon. A week later, Tom arrived at Dr. Kachmann's office. i was so confused and lost about which procedure i should treat my back pain with.Dr.Corenman is just so kind to make time from his schedule to help me :')! It is very common to have some pain after the surgery, but when pain persists for months there are several possibilities. Complications with anesthesia. The more I do that, the less fatigued I get after some miles of riding, and then everything is easier, even walking and climbing stairs because I built the hip, leg and back strength by using all those muscles. Severe Leg Pain After Spinal Fusion Many times the symptoms are temporary, for example, many patients have nerve problems after surgery that only last for a Thanks again for your response! Disclaimer. I had ACDF on C5 C6 about three weeks ago. They should wear a I have normal range of movement of my head, except that I can't touch my chin to my chest, but it is very close. The thoracic spinal cord demonstrates normal signal and caliber w/o syrinx. MY POST OP XRAYS AND MRI LOOK FINE ACCORDING TO MY NEURO AND PAIN DR. We'll see how Monday goes. "@amywood20 I'm sorry you are having issues. What Can, Besides A Physical Injury, Cause Collarbone And Shoulder Pain? After the procedure, the surgical area will remain inflamed as the body heals itself. After surgery, patients should eat soft foods and liquids until their first follow-up appointment. I did a lot of myofascial release before my surgery because I was doing this to treat the TOS, and that helped the neurosurgeon during spine surgery because my muscle was easier to retract. The average recovery time is 4 to 6 weeks. Choosing a fusion let me avoid hardware and I agreed to stay in a neck brace until fused which was at 3 to 4 months. They had to remove the first plate. My testing and consults were completed in a few days, and I had an answer and an offer of help. So very frustrated that I still have issuesand they are worse. -Left long head of the biceps tendon is intact. 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. FOIA If the surgeon doesn't think the cervical spine is causing my ongoing issues I guess I will go back to the shoulder doc to get his thoughts. I tend to think that is what I have going on again. See Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulators (TENS) ALL IN ALL, I GUESS I NEEDED THE SURGERY BECAUSE OF THE HERNIATION, BUT I HAVE WORSE NECK & SHOULDER MUSCLE PAIN THAN BEFORE. It is not a sharp pain but a steady dull ache like you would get from over exercising. I don't feel like I had spine surgery, and I feel much younger than when I was living with the pain from the spine problem. Before Thoracic pain (not generated from the cervical spine) could be from disc, facet or nerve origin. 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. To minimize discomfort, avoid sitting or lying down for long periods; change position or take a short walk every 20 minutes or so. Because of that, I requested a MRI on the cervical spine via my doc's patient portal. However, more central to the success of the case, he says, was the DTRAX device, which enables surgeons to perform minimally invasive cervical fusions on patients whose pain persists or returns following ACDF. Web3 Months Post ACDF JohnyH. Maintaining stability of the spine. I won't be able to bend forward or sideways, which will be hard, but it will help my spine to heal. (i.e. I did. In an attempt to resolve the pain and return to his daily activities, he tried physical therapy, over-the-counter medications, muscle relaxants, steroids, and epidural injections, but his pain persisted. WebA physical therapist will help you regain muscle and joint strength and restore full range of motion in the cervical spine. WebThe orthopedist sent Tom for an MRI and, the same day, referred him "right away" to Michael Kachmann, MD, a neurosurgeon with Mayfield Brain & Spine. Conclusions: I can get sciatic pain because of my pelvis alignment shifting and do stretches for that, but after this last ride, it feels fine. The stenosis in Tom's cervical spine was serious, causing spinal compression at four levels. Hi this is lilypaws Did you have a fusion on your neck? Long-Distance Consults & Medical Legal: 888-888-5310, Request a Diagnostic or Surgical Second Opinion, Thoracic / Shoulder Blade pain after ACDF 6 months post op, Shoulder supraprinitus tear after ACDF and increasing thoractic pain. Im being told by my surgeon this is a postural issue. A prospective study. But you cant know this for sure until almost a year has passed. over a year ago. 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. Computed tomography at Duke confirmed solid fusion at all 3 levels but incomplete fusion at C6-C7. Galbraith JG, Butler JS, Dolan AM, O'Byrne JM. Craniocervical junction is intact. TOS affects my breathing by making the muscles on one side of my chest too tight, so it doesn't expand well enough, and it pulls up on the first ribs, so they don't relax downward during an exhalation. 2002 Jun;22(2):179-86. doi: 10.1055/s-2002-36541. Its a slow healing process, but in the end, the operation may end up being successful. I knew the pain was temporary healing pain, and for awhile, I was tired because my muscles had atrophied, but gradually muscle came back because I was using it. To me, it looks like one of the screws is pushing into an area that maybe it shouldn't. Typically this is nothing to be concerned about. In younger and/or more physically fit individuals, recovery time can range anywhere from 46 weeks. It also is normal to have some swallowing difficulty. My original symptoms were bilateral, symmetrical muscle aches/burning in my arms (wrists, forearms, deltoids). Here is my patient story. So when i called them again they told me to go see an orhropedic guy. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and Conditions of Use linked below. The artificial disc was removed and an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) with iliac crest bone graft was performed to reconstruct the C6-C7 level. My therapist told me it is related to my surgery (the doctor didnt do anything wrong). It was important that the patient undergo diagnostic testing and facet joint injection prior to surgery, Haglund notes. One of the biggest issues we see after surgery is scarring around the nerves (1). It is very common to have some pain after the surgery, but when pain persists for months there are several possibilities. Blood Clots. One of the biggest issues we see after surgery is scarring around the nerves (1). Other goals of surgery include: Improving neck pain. My original symptoms were bilateral, symmetrical muscle aches/burning in my arms (wrists, forearms, deltoids).
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