Hi, last week I had a Anterior Cervical Microforaminotomy with spinal cord decompression on c5 - c6. I am in a lot of pain and recovering is slow. I still need to have c3 - c4 done which has aggravated my migraine headaches for many years and have ongoing DDD in my neck and thorasic spine so I am not certain when or if I'll be pain free any time soon.
Dr. JHo and his team were excellent -- they run a first rate operation (no pun intended), almost seperate from Allegheny General Hospital. Minimally invasive does not mean minimal pain, but it is incredible. I think a doctor at the Cleveland Clinic compared it to building a ship in a bottle. I have an incision on my anterior neck about 2" long; my posterior neck and right arm have been throbbing and pounding less I medicate myself. In 6 weeks i will have a foloow up MRI to check the status of my surgery. I am hopeful that time will decrease the swelling and pain.