Hello;

Anybody ever experience an exacerbation of neck pain symptoms just from going on a walk?

I had an ACDF surgery 4.5 years ago (C5-C6) and have done fairly well over the years. I've had some pain come and go, but on the whole done OK. But the last 3 or so months my pain has come back like it was before the surgery (pain in the right scapula area, and tightness/pain up from there into the neck, and even causing a headache at times). I can go several days without experiencing pain, then have a few days with really bothersome pain.

I continue to take my Zanaflex at night, and have recently started taking Skelaxin 800 as needed during the day. The Zanaflex helps at night, but the jury is still out on the Skelaxin (I've only taken it 3 times).

Anyway, I've noticed when I try and get some exercise by walking for 30 to 45 minutes at night, I seem to pay for it for a few days immediately following.

Why? Do others get this as well? I think my MRI is pretty clean (but haven't had the neurologist look at it yet... I'm able to get it scanned free because I happen to repair them for a living and need to check out the system sometimes on a person, so get the techs to scan my neck if needed). I guess I'll need to get it checked for sure. But, again, what would make walking cause a problem in the neck?

Only thing I can think of is I must be leaning forward too much or walking in a strange manner somehow. But I've also noticed it even when standing for a while (maybe bad posture?). Anybody else post-ACDF have this problem?

Thanks!
Kevin