Originally Posted by Kathi49

I would definitely give yourself more time.

My experience has been (and have had two fusions at two different times) that the docs do not order PT right away. If anything, I was made to wait at least 4 to 6 weeks before doing any GENTLE ROM exercises. Snoozie is right it takes a good while before you are solidly fused. I was fused at 3 months with both surgeries BUT it was not solid. So, I had to wait another 3months before I saw via xray that it was a solid fusion. I think what your doc probably meant by a successful fusion is that nothing is visibly wrong...not that you are totally fused. In any case, it takes quite awhile.

As for the arm. You had 3 levels done; that's quite a bit at one time and major surgery. Now, I did have my left arm go haywire two days after my second fusion. It was extremely painful and I could barely move it. So, I went to the ER and they ran all kinds of tests. What it came down to was a severe spasm. Valium at a higher dose kicked it out. Anyway, it was explained to me later by the NS's PA that when they free up these nerves so to speak, they are angry and "plump up". Made sense to me considering they were compressed for so long. She explained that it can take awhile for them to calm back down again.

So, it will probably pass but I would give it a lot more time. As Snoozie said, just give yourself time to heal. It sounds to me like pretty bad spasms. I would definitely ask the doc about some Valium or something similar. And just one more thing...I am currently having trouble with my left arm....but it has been almost 3 years since the last fusion. The docs think a torn rotator cuff; not sure yet because I just had an MRI done. Anyway, one thing my spinal PM told me and has told me for a long time now...do NOT let any PT tug and pull at your arms unless they know EXACTLY what they are doing and especially because of the two fusions I have. He's right. I went into PT before on a couple of occasions and it tore me up. So, Jo is right too. There are good ones and there are bad ones. I happened to have a very young gal that was way too aggressive.

So, go easy and remember your surgery was only 3 weeks ago. As Jo and Snoozie are saying, give yourself time and go VERY EASY. Personally, I think it is way too early for PT. You COULD try gentle massage therapy; that was something that was recommended right after surgery but the PA was adamant that it be LIGHT massage therapy...not deep tissue. And just one last hint. When I was told I could go ahead with ROM exercises, my PM told me to do them in a hot shower. Oh, and he has had two cervical fusions himself. Now what he recommended helped a great deal.

Hang in there and I think with time the spasms or palsy should pass with the appropriate meds and THEN PT if necessary.