ACDF, Ulnar Nerve Decompression Surgeries
 

I had an ACDF in June of 2007 and a right ulnar nerve decompression in July of 2009. The following problems still exist:

Severe neck pain, stiffness, very limited mobility, cracking and grinding when my neck is moved.
Horrid headaches on a weekly basis.
Right elbow is still very sore from surgery...I am 10 months post-op.
Both hands (4th and 5th digits) are numb and have a tingling sensation.
My right shoulder is very sore since the June 2007 surgery.
Both wrists are always painful and I cannot pick up any items that have little bit of weight to them.
Cannot sleep much and have difficulty doing any everyday chores. Workman's Compensation insurance company has declined any additional medical evaluations/treatments since my second surgery of July 2009. In a severe amount of pain and need medical assistance ASAP!
Dr. stated that I need an MRI for my right shoulder due to injury yet the requests are constantly denied. Have an entrapped ulnar nerve in my left elbow (right elbow surgery for ulnar nerve performed July 2009) and the insurance company does not want to hear about it. Cannot take much more of this constant pain! I am 44 years old and a father of 6 year old twin boys. My poor wife has been doing everything as I complain about my pain. It is not a good feeling to not be able to do the simplest of chores. Feel as if I have been shuffled about and forgotten. I am really nervous about my future....lost a great job due to my 1st injury during my 25 years of being employed. So frustrated....

What was your wc injury, and what type of work did you do?

I ask because some of your symptoms could also fit the symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome {TOS}.

Or you might have TOS along with the c spine issues.

To learn more about TOS see our TOS forum useful sticky thread post 1 has crash course info.
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread84.html
It's not well known and hard to prove and sx overlap c spine sx at times.:(

main TOS forum page-
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum24.html

Welcome to NT

I understand where you're coming from. I think those are normal bad feelings when someone is dealing with all that you're dealing with. Here's a hug for you... :hug: You're a trooper. We understand. :grouphug:

It's hard to deal with pain, and all the glory that comes with it. Just know that it isn't a personal reflection of your true self at this point in time. You're a victim of your circumstances and it can't be avoided right now.

I'm sure you are doing everything you can to get better. Sometimes, for whatever reasons, it doesn't happen for one of us, adding up to many of us. We all understand... :grouphug:

You will find a lot of info here, an overwhelming amount.

Here is our link to chronic pain: http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum10.html

I have a bad neck, bulges and herniations since 1992, another mva in 2000. More bad. Here are some things that helped me over the years.

Physical therapy, the few good doctors I found. I found a few bad ones too.

Aqua therapy, vestibular rehabilitation - (balance therapy)

Botox injections (scalenes X3).

Epidurals X3 for my cervical spine. I put those off for several reasons, but they started to turn my ugly pain picture around.

Celebrex, Darvon 65, Lidoderm 5% patches, Advil Liquigels. Lately Tylenol PM has helped get an extra hour in. Used to didn't phase me.

Miracle Set balls http://www.amazon.com/Miracle-Ball-M.../dp/0761128689

oversized tennis balls (pet stores, sports stores. Mine are squishy and mold around my neck and shoulders, arm, back, hip).

neckbone pillow http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&r...1g-m1&aql=&oq=

Theracane http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&r...i=g10&aql=&oq=

LED/infrared pad, http://www.healthlightz.com/ helped me tremendously. I can sell these pads just haven't had time to develop my own web page. This is my upline. There are others on the internet but these helped me. I have three. I was trying to show and sell. Only workers comp and PIP insurance will pay for them. They're pricy but worth it.

Yoga, relaxation techniques, belly breathing.

exercises to tolerances. trial and error.

Some modifications -front loading washer and dryer on a pedstal that has openings to put laundry baskets in and out with my feet.

Even though you feel bad about not being able to DO the things you know you need to be doing, just know you're doing your best for now. That's all anyone can do. :grouphug:

It has been very hard to overcome all my injuries. I still struggle with some, on a mild basis. I'm just happy for the distance I've came. I thank God for that. Didn't think I would ever be this good.

it won't always be this way.

May God heal us all.

Hello, and welcome to NT! This is such a great place with so many caring, friendly, and helpful people. :)

We're so glad you found us!

I'm scheduled to have the same surgery in May, with no guarantees that it will help. It has affected my left palm, ring and pinky fingers with numbness, also my left hand has lost strength and is clumsy. I'm hoping for good results, because surgery is the only option and you have to hope for good results.

I hope you are able to find answers here. Looking forward to seeing you around.

I am in exactly the same boat as you! I also have quite a bit of wasting with the muscle between the thumb and fore-finger. The specialist is going to try and rush me to surgery within the month so I will be writing a post on the results in the future. :)