C5/6 Disc Fusion
 

Hi! I had my C5/6 disc fusion surgery with a cadaver bone, plate and screws September 29, 2012. I was a smoker and attempted to quit many times since. I have now successfully quit smoking as of Jan.2, with 3 days of patches. Since the 5th I have had no nicotine in my body to aid in quitting, I did cold turkey. I am doing great! My neck has been doing well in my recovery process,I still had minor pain, but was to be expected. My concern right now is last Sunday I have been experiencing uncomfortable pain in the surgery area, and some nerve issue happening on my left arm and foot numbness. I would like to know if this is normal? I also went 3 months with still smoking, could my pain be the cadaver bone finally fusing from the no nicotine? Could the withdrawal from nicotine be contributing? and finally I did some flying and a car ride as a passenger during the holidays,and public transportation. I was going to see if I could baby it with ice and heat this weekend, and ask this forum before going to my Doctor next week. Its almost like I have a kink on the right side neck/shoulder, affecting the nerve to my left arm and fingers. I have not had any therapy besides my own heat and ice. I am just a little concerned with the amount of pain I am having at this point with a possible set back or I over did it..Thank you, for any suggestions or similar experiences.. :)

Hopefully others will chime in too, but like you have already said, you are GOING to have some pain. You did some FLYING? Were you the pilot? It's possible you overdid it, but it's hard to say.

When you had surgery, there was a lot of trauma "in there" in that many nerves and tissue were hurt, and they're trying to heal. When nerves heal, it hurts. Nerves heal at the rate of one inch per month, and you're going to get zaps, burning, and alot of discomfort. No doubt there's still inflammation too. So you possibly irritated it even more with all the riding & flying you did. Hopefully it will settle down, but I think I'd talk to my doc about therapy too. I'm surprised he hasn't ordered it or at least talked to you about it.

As I said, hopefully others will chime in too. Please take care & keep us informed on how you're doing. God bless! Hugs, Lee :)

Thank your your reply, no I was not the pilot just the passenger on the plane. I am hoping this kind of subsides. I realize I will have pains, I just have been doing pretty good in my recovery since my surgery.

Hello :) I had a fusion similar to yours back in 2005, same area, cadaver bone, etc. I don't know if it's pertinent or not, but I had the worst pain after surgery, hurting my left shoulder the most (right side was more affected pre-surgery). The surgeon told me that the cadaver bone was larger than the space previously occupied by the disc, b/c he expected some compression over time as the fusion took hold. This caused some stretching of the nerves which really irritated them, but it did eventually go away. I also ended up on prednisone b/c of swelling inside my neck. Both of those issues occurred pretty soon after surgery, not months later, but everyone is different. I was also pretty young for my surgery, only 33, and pretty active w/workouts, which may have helped me 'bounce back' quickly.

Hope you get to feeling better soon!

eta: About 6 months post surgery I had a horrible neck spasm that happened simply as I was rolling over in bed at night. It was severe and made me scream out, scaring my husband LOL I thought I had somehow managed to re-injure my neck. I requested physical therapy at that point which I would suggest you do if you can...they have stretches and exercises they can teach you that will help increase your range of motion (mine had gotten stiff, apparently) and show you movements to avoid. I have also since been dx'd with peripheral neuropathy, so my lingering nerve pains in arms, hands, etc are likely explained by that. I do NOT have all the same pains/etc that I'd had pre-surgery, though, so I do think it helped.

Thank you
 

I thank you so much for your experiences you have had and suggestions. I am going to ask my surgeon about the cadaver bone size also, along with some therapy. I do have a hard time sleeping and getting comfortable, I am lucky if I get 6 hours of broken sleep a night. I am still very grateful that I believe my surgery is a success that got me out of my bed. I will still have damage in my neck and just need to preserve what is left. I don't think the surgery fixes the spinal stenosis, which was 5 mm narrowed to spinal column or the disc degeneration I have. Its just important to be careful and learn to preserve and maintain what I do have with not promoting the degeneration speed process. Have a great day/evening! God Bless!.....Kim

I had a cervical fusion of 6/7 about 4 1/2 years ago. It was the best surgery I'd ever had! My surgery pain was next to none and it relieved 80% of my symptoms.

I few months later I did begin having what I considered "bone pain" due to new hardware. That pain seemed like it did make my neck spasm and I felt alot like you're explaining. It was off and on again and never did progress or become something more than "uncomfortable" from time to time. I did just fine for a couple of years and I hope you do just fine forever. :)

For the following, please don't think I'm being the bearer of gloom and doom, but I wanted to share to help others as they move forward.

I read at the time and having just one level done as I did, when there is degenerative processing in place, will often times lead to additional surgeries as the fusion destabablizes the adjoining levels.

I'm here to tell you that I bear witness to that as we speak. Two years after surgery I began having new and different pain, spasms, etc. I then had more problems. I blew it off because I knew than my MRI's showed DDD. I was going to have aches and pains, right?

I wish I'd listened to my body more.

Please remember to do the same and listen to your body. If you start having increased or different symptoms, please go back for an MRI and check how things are going. Even if I weren't having problems, I'd have "check on things" MRI's every couple of years.

If you'd like more information on my journey, I have a post here as to where I'm at right now.

Good luck with continued healing!

Hi to forum
 

I just wanted to tell you I agree with the post to be careful. If you notice any new pain as the years go by, don't wait but go in to have it checked on. I did indeed need more surgery due to DDD. Fused now C3-7 and T1-2-3 is being watched. I am more careful than I want to be! I wish all of you the best. Less pain, and successful outcomes. ginnie:hug::grouphug:

Thank you
 

I do not look at it like gloom at all,I so welcome your experiences. Thank you forevernana4,ginnie,and all. I am trying my best to take it easy with my neck,I have been taking more pain medication for the past 2 weeks. I was hoping the pain in my plate area and into my right shoulder blade was from my quitting smoking.I know it sounds odd but its been since i quit i have experienced discomfort at a high level. I thought the cadaver was possibly fusing now.lol..I may have over used it,and its just coincidence. I will keep in touch on here as I appreciate everyone,and what we are going through. I am not feeling better yet.I thank goodness for my ice packs and heat bean bag!! And I cannot forget my wonderful animals keeping me company while healing!!

Medication
 

I was also just wondering...I am taking Percocet for my pain when I go out. I do not take anything else.Is there something that may help with the Percocet? Would I benefit from Gabapentin or Muscle relaxers?

Hi Checker
 

The amount of pain you are experiencing I think is normal. It hurts! Pain for me was a good 5-6 weeks. Percocet, and a muscle relaxant to prevent spasms called Soma is what I took. That greatly helped me, better than just percocet alone. Just keep taking it easy, don't over do while you heal. I remember I slept alot! If you have concerns that your pain is unusual or not going in the improvement direction, do call your doctor. Every day I seemed to get just a tiny bit better. I hope you do too. I am thinking and sending good thoughts your way. ginnie:hug::grouphug:

Normal Pain?
 

So the pain I am experiencing almost 4 months now is normal,with the exception of It really hurting the past couple of weeks

Hi checker
 

If this is "new and different" pain, then you may want to call the doctor. If you just over did it a bit at some activity, see if it resolves with a bit of pampering. I was still sore 6 months into it checker, and certain movements, or positions hurt. I had to sleep on an incline pillow for about 8 months. I could not turn in bed etc. You know you body better than anyone. If it doesn't feel right, and it is a real concern, call you doc. Everybody heals differently at different rates. Let me know how you are OK? Of course I care about you, and hope this gets better without anymore intervention. Did you have PT? ginnie:hug:

I am going to give the pain a couple more weeks.It is not unbearable,as I was pretty bad before my surgery. Its just odd for the past 2 weeks to be feeling different. I know it will never be the same,and I need patience. Its been 4 months,and I am glad that this is a normal feel people have experienced. I wasn't taking as many Percocet's prior to 2 weeks ago..Thank you.

Hi checker
 

do you have a follow up appt. anytime in the future? I did at 6 months, where pictures were taken again to see how the graft and fusion went. Just lay a bit low, and pamper yourself a little more. I tended to do too much right after the initial hump, and paid a price for it. That made me slow down for another few months. Keep in touch. ginnie:hug:

I have not had physical therapy,and my next appointment is In June.That will be 6 months from my 2 month post op in which he just asked how I was feeling and no pictures.I gathered it was to soon for pictures at 2 months as it takes 9 months as the surgeon told me for the bone to fuse.Ok,so I will still chill out...lol. I haven't returned to work just yet as my work as a security guard is slow in the winter.I honestly don't know how I would work 8-12 Hours anyways. I may have to drop out and do part time work somewhere,and even thats hard to find. I want my work to call,and on the other hand,I am not ready..lol. Thank you!

Hi Checker
 

My son is an OPTA. Do you want me to ask him what gentle excersises would be good for your neck? Also a good massage, gentle, does a world of good. ginnie:hug:

I would appreciate that very much Ginnie. I have to pay cash for my PT at this point,so anything I can do on my own would help immensely. Thank you!

HI Checker , its very common to have flare ups esp now your posture is so important. You being a previous smoker did ur surgeon get u a bone growth stimulator? Its a machine u where around your neck 4 hrs a day--u dont feel anything but it send currents in helping to aid a solid fusion --usually if you have a multi level fusion or was/or are a smoker with a single fusion most surgeons get the insurance to approve it. I had surgery in 7-2010 I dont have any regrets--but i do suffer from major flare ups esp in right shoulder and neck and between scapular area. I had a multi level fusion and did achieve solid fusion.

Ok Checker
 

Hi Checker, when Sean gets home from work today, I will ask what the most important ones are. Do you have anyone that can massage your neck?
What level fusions do you have done? Sean will need to know that. I am here for you. ginnie

Hi Ginnie---you such a good person . I was thinking about Gator have you heard from him I havent seen him post in awhile --I was wondering if he ever had surgery on the shoulder?

I can get someone to massage my neck, but I will be doing most of the PT. I had surgery to my C5/6,I take it that is a one level. I do not have a bone stimulator. I saw my surgeon for the first time in December, he just asked how I was doing. I told him I was battling the quitting smoking. I have an appointment in June to probably see how it has fused and probably go from there. Its been almost 4 months since my Sept.29, 2012 surgery. I have managed to quit smoking since Jan.2 with no relapse. I feel really good with issues sleeping, but since before my surgery, I cannot complain. Yes, I am experiencing some pain, but i am hoping its part of the long term affect I will experience and will subside with some PT, heat, ice. I also have a Tense machine I have yet to use after my surgery. Thank you!!

Hi Checker
 

No worried about gator too. ginnie

Hi Checker
 

Still let me know where and what levels are fused OK? This makes a difference in PT on what they ask you to do. Do you have a fairly long bungee cord? That massage after you do PT is maybe the best thing that helped me. It relaxes the muscles you are trying to strenghten, so you don't have spasms. Also helps with soreness.
From either side of the neck, with lotion, it is a smooth downward motion, on either side of your fusion, extending into the back, or down along the top of your shoulder. Repete Often!!!! No need for hard pressure either. Will find out more after work. ginnie

Hi Ginnie
 

C5/6 are fused,and yes I have a long bungee cord. Thank you!!

Re: bungee cord
 

Hi checker, the bungee cord, takes the place of a thick rubber band they use in therapy. Holding it between your hands, you pull it apart, to create a tension and release it. Do several repetitions. This increases your strength in your neck! You can also step on it, and pull up, with both the right hand and the left hand. Several repetitions in each hand. Try it and let me know how it feels. Attach it securly to some object, and pull the cord toward you. These all help strengthen, and get your muscles to work gently. None of it is rough, and it should not hurt.
The general rule of thumb is, if it hurts don't do it.
Will let you know more tonight. ginnie

Hi checker
 

This one was done to me, lay flat( on your back), with small rolled towel just to support neck. In therapy there was actually a small hole in the table. Gently turn head to the right 5 times, the left five times. repete. I think I did that several times. What this does is help the range of motion. Each day you add a few more. Just doing these, and if you can follow by some gentle massage, heat etc, should help you. (not Hot) luke warm OK? Check with your doctor about the tens unit. He might say its a good idea. I had this done in therapy, but I didn't do it at home. Neck looking up and down the same way can be done too. A cushion underneath your knees is essential. let me know how you continue to do. Go easy on yourself in recovery. ginnie

Thank you so much for your help and concern,I am very grateful :)