I had been having neck pain on and off for 14 yrs (tests done,but nothing found till later)and right shoulder pain and numbness that ran all the way down to hand and first 3 fingers for over a yr. After many tests, they found deg.disc disease, herniation,spinal stenosis, my nerve roots between c5, c6, & c7 were being completely crushed.I have been on a medical since Jan 2012 and have gone through every non- surgical option. (Physical therapy, chiropractic, traction, nerve block shots, trigger point shots, etc.) I was not thrilled at the aspect of surgery but knew that it was my only option before permanent nerve damage.

Anyways, I had surgery 5 days ago. Went well and I was discharged after 24 hrs. My surgeon gave me a soft collar to wear and told me it was not necessary to wear it if I didn't want to, that with all the hardware in my neck nothing was going to go anywhere, and that most people just wore it to feel more stable. I have gone both ways, in car and sleeping I'm keeping brace on, but if just watching Tv I will take it off for a bit. Since my surgery, my right arm feels great, still a lil tingling, but no more " please rip my arm off" pain. However the pain in my neck has been pretty bad. It's tender to the touch, which I expect, but we're talking just a light touch hurts. I feel like Im having spasms across the top of both my shoulder blades and when they flare up they break thru my pain meds and I'm on both a pain patch and pain pills( both are pretty strong ones) Ice helps but only some. The other issue I'm having is, that last inch or two drop to the pillow and then again lifting off a pillow. I know Im supposed to roll in and out of bed, and I do, but even doing that, if your pillow is not in exact spot you need or if hair or clothes get caught up and feels funny, then you still end up having to lift your head up a bit and it is here that I feel like my neck is gonna just give out on me. Like my head is just too heavy. Have been using hand to support. Maybe this is all normal....I don't know as this is my first and hopefully my last cervical surgery. I keep trying to tell myself that I had a lot of work done. and that its going to take time, but at same time I was so nervous about the surgery in the first place, that all of this new pain is scaring me even more so.
Anyone have any advise or calming words of wisdom? lol

Had the same surgery March 2011. I still experience pain in my neck although arm pain is significantly less. My Neuro Surgeon was very clear about collar; wear it every day 7x24 for 3 months with the exception of a break during showering. Mine was a hard collar (Aspen). I took his advise and wore it every day.

Of course you are a bit of a mess five days out from surgery. You were dealing with pain for 14 years before you broke down and had the repair. Heaven knows how long he was rooting around in there. I think most of these guys take a course on how to say, "what do you mean, that you still hurt. I fixed you!!!" The first time I had a cervie repair (two levels), I saw the surgeon at 10 days post op and was told all I needed was tylenol xtra strength. After considerable begging, I got a muscle relaxer with no refill. I went straight from there to my primary doc who had referred me and he gave me a script for a decent pain pill and said he would call the surgeon and discuss the matter.

Your recovery will be a little slow but steady. Once in a while you will have a day or two where you seem to go backwards. That is normal and don't be surprised. I have had three cervical surgeries and pretty much lived on jello, yogart and Ensure for the first two weeks before I felt like eating real food. Besides, I was alone with no help. No lifting. The housework will wait if you don't have help. Hang in there.

Wowzers this has been quite a roller coaster these last few days! It hurts ALL THE TIME!!! very few things relieve it the pain in left arm is pretty much gone however pins and needles nerve is not only left side but right as well. Arms and handsfirst 2 fingers and thumbs cant eat or drink qwithout choking ugh

Yes being super sore after that surgery is normal. This goes on for some time, but should lessen day by day. Get an elevated pillow in foam, going from flat to about 5 inches. Won't hurt to lay down. I also slept in my colar the first few nights. Spasms do happen, across shoulder blades too. Ask you doctor for Soma compound in addition to your pain medication and that should help. Sleep as much as you all can. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. I had C6-7 then 6 years later C3-7. I am two years post and doing pretty good. I hope you all get this good kind of result. ginnie

Hello everyone! Can anyone point me to any literature/studies showing that people who have had surgeries/fusions get NO better results than people who have had physical therapy? My wife is contemplating recommendations for 3 level acdf c4-7 with a bulging discs at c3. We are concerned this could be the first of potentially many surgery if we agree to have this first one.

If your wife, and the cervical issues say SEVERE on the MRI. That is when it is good to seek another opinion. You have every right to question what might happen down the road. The vertebra above and below the surgical site need to be strong enough to handle the hardware. I had C6-7 done, and five years later was fused C3-7. Domino effect can occur. I wish your wife all the best. Good to try all the PT you can. ginnie

Hi Ginnie,

In researching my above response to Kean, I came across the precise(?) medical term for this effect/phenomenon—adjacent segment degeneration (ASD).

Now I know what to call it, and how to find/reference it.

Doc

Hi i'm from Indonesia. Glad to know this forum and read a lot of information about cervical surgery.
I am only 38 female and is being scheduled for cervical myelopathy surgery by next week. My ortopaedic surgeon suggest an acdf on c5-c6.
After reading all posts i am a bit frightened that the surgery might bring my condition worse than before. The most scary thing that i might have to re-do the fusion on the up and down level of the previous surgery.
I have numbness in my both hand palms, severe pain in my neck when i am standing too long and i have difficulty in walking also..
Until now i still dont have firm decision for surgery.
.

Hi Choco, welcome.

Reading posts about the bad outcomes may give an unbalanced impression because successful outcomes don't usually need or participate in support groups like this one; they are out getting on with their lives.

That said, some studies, and reviews of multiple studies, have concluded:
(emphasis mine)

My own surgeon told me that the hospital (a major medical center) he is affiliated with does fewer of these procedures nowadays because as many patients are the same or worse afterward than are better. They prefer/recommend physical therapy and pain management instead. However, every case is different, and decisions/recommendations are made on a case-by-case basis.

Have you been through physical therapy, and if so, what were the results?

Have you gotten multiple opinions on whether surgery is necessary?

I just came across this article that may provide some additional information to discuss with your doctor before agreeing to surgery.

Is Anterior Cervical Discectomy with Fusion (ACDF) Safe and Effective?

Some members here have expressed that spinal surgery is better/best performed by a neurosurgeon rather than an orthopedic surgeon, or at least to have a neurosurgeon on the surgical team. In my opinion, a neurosugeon or neurologist should at least be consulted before agreeing to surgery.

Other members here may have additional or different advice and opinions.

Best wishes,

Doc