5 Months Post-ACDF (C4-C7) with New Issues
 

Hi everyone. I was hoping someone may be able to give me some insight into what is going on. It has been 5 months since my ACDF at C4-7. I was doing very well for the most part except for residual numbness in my thumb and index finger. About a week ago, I began getting tingling, burning and numbness in my entire right hand with pain behind my shoulder blade. It seems to be all of my fingers except for my pinky (though that sometimes feels numb). At times the tips of my fingers in my left hand feel numb as well in addition to intermittent tingling in my feet. I first attributed this to adding in light strength training and thought I over did it. I even saw my neurosurgeon this week and he agreed. He released me from his care after this appointment. However, I haven't exercised in 5 days and this seems to be getting worse.

Is it possible that I'm having a flare-up? Could it be my nerves healing? Or worse yet, should I be concerned that this is more serious? Once again, I'm feeling panicky.

I am no neurosurgeon by any means but have dealt a lot with problems related to my back 2 surgerys so on and so forth. I know if I was having these symptoms and my doc told me what yours did and released me I would be getting a second opinion right away could be a pinched nerve or something else entirely.

Thanks for your reply. I'm going to call the office tomorrow and explain my symptoms have worsened instead of getting better and that I haven't exercised in close to a week. I don't think it's a flare-up. I just truly pray that it isn't serious or require additional surgery. I just want to move on with my life already....:(

Hi Chelk
 

I am sorry to hear you are having trouble. This isn't the usual course that should be happening. Did your neuro, take some pictures when you went in? He really should have to make sure everything is in place and healing. If your pain really is going up, I would get your PCP to give you a referral to another neurologist for another opinion. 5 months you should be healing well. Did your doctor give you any reasons for this pain? I am hoping this is only temporary. Let me know what you do. I do care, and so much wanted your surgery to be 100% good. ginnie:hug:

I finally talked to the doctor's nurse this morning. They are sending me a prescription for a steroid pack. If that doesn't work, then he will order another MRI and such. I'm just hoping and praying that this works!! Maybe my nerves are inflamed and just need some medicine to calm it down a bit.

Does anyone have any experience with this steroid pack? Did it work? Was it only temporary? Any side effects?

Hi Chelk
 

Not thrilled they ordered you a steroid. I wish they had just gone ahead with another MRI or something.
Steroids do work sometimes if the hurt is really due to swelling. If it is neurological or something to do with the disks, not such a good result. Keep really hydrated while on them. Let me know the dose. I do have knowledge of that medication. ginnie

It's a 6 day pack with 21 pills and the dosage is 4 mg. I haven't gotten it filled yet as my symptoms have quieted down a bit. Right now, I get some extra numbness in my right hand that comes & goes (my thumb has been numb since before surgery) but the burning pain isn't there & hopefully never comes back. I still have some pain in my neck & behind my shoulder but I'm trying to be good at keeping up with my PT exercises. Fingers crossed. I haven't exercised in a few weeks either and I will wait before trying to start up again.

Is this how it's always going to be?

Hi ChelKB, I don't know if you are still active on these boards, but I was wondering how you are doing now? I had c5-6 fusion with plate and cadaver bone and have had similar issues throughout my recovery. New symptoms that come and go (tingling in "good" hand, dizziness, numbness in pinky, pain in my elbow?, etc.). I have numbness in my right index finger that has been there since my disc herniated and caused the need for surgery. It has been a bumpy road to recovery, but overall it has been good. I have minimal pain, I just seem to deal with these random nerve issues. It sounds like you may have experienced the same types of things and I wonder how long they continued?
I hope you are doing well!

Hi Alicia! Thanks for inquiring and thanks for sharing your experience. My flare-up seems to have settled. I still get a little extra tingling and numbness now and then but the burning pain that developed is gone. Phew! I have even started exercising again - treadmill, elliptical arc trainer and even ran 3 1/2 miles outside the other day. So far so good. I have stayed away from strength training. I don't think my upper body is quite ready for that yet.

How long ago did you have your fusion? When your symptoms come on, do they last a while or do they just come & go? Have you noticed if certain activities cause your flare-ups? It's nice to know that a bumpy road can still lead to a good overall recovery. You are a beacon of hope for me. I was really scared last month when all those new symptoms appeared. I have realized that I should not get myself too worked up over things as the stress itself seems to magnify symptoms and things can snowball from there. Anyways, I hope all stays well for you. :winky: