3 weeks out acdf c6/c7 pain starting again
 

just after surgery, felt the muscle spasms ease (for couple weeks) and what i call the 'fork in my neck' on left side was gone; and i took very little pain meds, so don't think i was masking it all; but now my shoulder is seizing up, not as bad as before surgery, but hurts and when i lay down, i feel that tender spot right at my spine at c6/c7 on the left side..... anyone further along have advice?
fyi, my problem had been going on for years; i was told to see surgeon 10 years ago, so suspect i'll have a long recovery (and probably not 100%); would hate to think this was all for naught :(

This had been on going prob for me with right shoulder --my main advice is im a side sleeper try on my back I cant sleep long this way---so in my case if i even attempt to sleep on right my shoulder will get nasty flares ups last had lasted even 4 months ---try to sleep on the other side--also posture now is crucial.

that also happen to me .they had to do surgery on my left shoulder.to find out later on that it was coming from disc c6&7.but still it was the only way to relive the "lockUp"on my left shoulder.but that was my case though

thanks - i have been working on posture; think i need PT to stregnthen the muscles - which i will discuss at second followup

yes, i was convinced it was my shoulder; did the surgery relieve your lock up? or did you need PT to retrain the muscles; i felt that i had to have the surgery to remove the 'fork in my neck' and then deal with whatever shoulder dysfunction was remaining after; so not completely surprised, just bummed!
i notice it most when i drive and have to hold my arms up; left just weak and think it causes the seizing

yes it removed the "lockedUp"completely!! 100%:eek::D.and after wards i did have to go to "PT"but had trouble doing them.cause of discC7:(..Yes that "seizing"your having when you raise your arm is discC7.its why as stated earlier is why the "PT"didnt go to well.when i raise that "left"arm(why is it always the left arm:D ).it would lock or seize.the same as you.it was one of the problem is the reason i could not return to my old job in "construction".oh plus it leaves the left arm alittle weaker than the right:(:(

don
 

sorry - am confused - did your shoulder surgery unlock your shoulder or did they take out disc c6/c7? and if it was the shoulder surgery, what was done? many thanks

Hi sunflower
 

Give yourself some more recovery time. Sometimes it does feel worse a month out, even two months out. It took me well over 6 months to really have the pain better. I had C6-7 done the first time around. Recovery did take awhile. I hope you can get PT and lots of soothing massage. ginnie:grouphug: