I am 71. I fractured C6-7 in a skiing accident 10 months ago. I also had a dissection of the vertebral artery and a compression injury of the anterior shoulder. I was treated in a hard cervical collar for 4 months then had a C5-6-7 ACDF. Artificial bone matrix was used. Marked swelling lead to vocal cord paralysis and inability to swallow. I was in the hospital for an additional week post op then in a rented hospital bed sitting up for another month. Now 6 1/2 months after surgery I am fully fused. I have very weak neck and upper shoulder muscles which are tender all the time and cause headaches if I am up doing anything for more than 2-3 hours. I had several months of physical therapy with little improvement. I have started high dose ibuprofen which may be helping a little. Any advise on how long this will take or how to make some progress?

Drrcdavis