Thank you so much for your concerns. The xrays did not show any bone growth, but they said they did not really expect to. They did not clear me to go back to work. I sadly agree with the decision. I drove 20 minutes to work, then worked in my room for 45 minutes, chatted for 30 minutes and then drove 5 minutes to dr.appt. the 20 minutes to supermarket and another 15 minutes home. My shoulder and neck were sore by the time I got home. OUCH. They said I may not be ready for work until the end of Feb. That bothers me, but maybe if I can strengthen my neck, arm and shoulder muscles then I can do more. I think I can handle the drive, but teaching all day and then I would be a waste when I got home. That would not be fair to my son and husband. At least that made me feel better. I do not have much ROM. Only 5% going up, 45% down, and about 30% right and left. I also feel very weak. We practiced some simple neck excerises since he still does not want me to start PT. He said if it is still an issue at 3 months then he would give me a script. He said if I wanted to go for a massage that would be okay but I needed to bring xrays and make sure they are careful. I am going to borrow 2 pound weights from my son and start with them. I still can not get comfortable in the bed and have been sleeping in the recliner. Sad I forgot to ask the surgeon the name of the plate and cages that they put in. I did request a copy of the medical records so I am sure it is in there. My son (17) wanted a copy of the xray to show his class (Anatomy and Physiology) so they were nice enough to give a copy with hardware and one from a few years ago so they can see the difference. I have a plate and 6 screws. Very interesting to see. They also use BMP (bone protein).

We are going to get another 3-6 inches Thursday into Friday. YUCK !!

Still taking a flexril (muscle relaxer) once in a while, which i did today.
I'll try and keep my chin up (LOL) Have a good night.

Hi ~ It does take quite awhile before you see any bone growth after a fusion. It could be anywhere from 6 months to a year from what i've been told. Hopefully it won't be that long.

I don't doubt that you do feel weak. You've been thru a very traumatic surgery. It's going to be awhile before you feel your old 'self' again. But don't push too hard ~ you don't want to do something to the fusion!

I wish you the very best! I hope everything goes well for you and you heal fast. God bless. Hugs, Lee

Leesa, I have heard that people see bone growth after 4 weeks and some have complete fusion after 3 months. I am concerned and scared. Not sure if my DDD and arthritis will have a negative impact on my progress. I don't want to feel like my old self I want my prior 5 year self back. Hope I'm not asking too much. Bach then I could go on vacations with my family to theme parks go on he roller coasters/rides or go hiking in the desert or mountains. Hoping my future will hold those activities. Have a good day.

I understand how you are feeling, those are my thoughts too for post-op. (Hoping to gain my old life back and be able to get back to vacations, hiking, camping, etc.) It's so disheartening to go through this, and easy to get depressed. January is always a hard time for the 'blahs', throw in a surgery, a lot of pain, and inability to do the things we love and it sure makes it tough to stay cheery. But I'm sure your family loves and supports you (I have the best husband in the world who tries to always make me smile and keep things positive). It's too darn cold to be outside on roller coasters yet, so hopefully by spring thaw you will have some bone growth and better ROM. (I miss my outdoor activities so very much too!)

Try to stay positive, I hope you recovery starts to take a fast-forward for you soon! I had a long conversation with my case manager from WSIB yesterday and she told me not to expect bone fusion for 6 months post op.

I've decided to make today a happy day.... even if it kills me damnit! LOL... I hope today can be a happy day for you too.

Good thoughts from one injured neck to another!

I do try and stay busy and positive. Took a trip to the supermarket with a friend so that I can try 2 new recipes. Hopefully they will come out and my family will like them. What or who is : WSIB? Trying to stay warm with temperature in the teens and single digits. I also made Mickey waffles for my family. So I am trying to have fun, feed my family and feel more productive. Have a great day.

I can take bone growth medium a time to fully form the bone mass you and your doc have as your goal. In my situation, the BMP went the other direction and I aggressively grew bone such that my fusion results which I had originally thought through and through as a Godsend became the very reason for another open back surgery for me. You see, the BMP produced a spur which aimed in a familiar direction, my nerve root, and consequent surgery was required to remedy the return to agony was experiencing.

Chiming in thusly is not intended to cause alarm, but just let you in on the months it can take for BMP to do its work. The fusion which was done in January of one year was later in September of the same year the reason for parallel scars on my back in that particular area. Give it time, bone will likely fill in with strength and your spine will respond as your doc intended. Then you may see some return to activities from which you have been limited.

Now if anyone wonders...... can I ever get there again? Look up the story of Orlando Bloom, famous screen actor, and recipient of MAJOR fusion work after a serious fall. I understand he is quite the daredevil now, and was during filming of the Lord of the Ring trilogy down New Zealand way......

If he can, then maybe we all can at least to some degree.... true?


Mark56

[Mark 56, Thank you for your response. I went back to the OSS last week. I pushed for PT which they finally gave me a script for YEAH !!. I start on Thursday. When I went to several locations and spoke with them about my concerns I discussed the need for posture advice in the car and at the computer in addition to increasing ROM, strength and decreasing muscle spasms. Thankfully I found someone who was willing to address all of my needs. I start that on Thursday. I also am starting work on Monday, as a teacher. OSS wanted me to wait until 2/28 but I am ansy. I will work for 1 week and then have 1 week off. Hopefully all will work out. If I am in too much pain, then I will have to call in sick. Hope everyone is having a smooth recovery and is more painfree each day.
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12/9/2010 ACDF C5-6 C6-7
no bone growth at 6 weeks
2/14 starting work
2/17 starting PT

I just read your post and also read leesas response. I have to agree with her based on what my Dr. told me. Bone growth doesnt usually show up for 5 to 6 months, according to him. I am postop 12 weeks lumbar 4 level, I asked the same question, what about bone growth, he said oh it is way too early. So hang in there, hope this helps.

Right after my car accident, my first ortho doctor prescribed (and got approved!) a bone stimulator. Unfortunately, this was not really helpful, as I had to have my toes fused (he had to turn me over to another doctor in his practice because I was a "complex" patient). So, right now, I have a $4000 bone stimulator that I used for about a month. People wonder why our insurance costs so much - this machine actually could have been a "rental" type unit. Amazing huh...