WC - thank you for the info. I guess since my situation wasn't workman's comp. I didn't realize it.
Signed the paperwork at the OSS for the TENS unit. Called and stopped by the office since I was in the area. Hope it helps. Still no PT approved. Arguing with insurance. Such a joy.

I used one after I had my second back surgery. They put on in the operating room...I was in a body casts for six months and felt so good. I would put it down in front of my cast. We were out at night with friends and all out kids. My friends daughter pointed to my glow in the dark...right in the middle of my chest...she called me ET...silly.

All serious aside...it was the best...I highly recommend using on!

I use mine daily, got a script from my Dr and it was covered 100%, according to my PT it cannot be placed directly on the titanium plate/screw or any kind of hardware just around that area, I use mine on my traps, between shoulder blades, biceps forearms and my lower back, I place my heating pads over the Tens pads as well, stimulation and heat at the same time, feels great!
Take care, Bunz

Hmmm... They should, at the very least, have given you one orientation session with a PT to explain the TENS unit and how to use it safely & effectively. I have one, and it's come in handy for some things. Finding the correct location for the 'trodes, and then the correct setting, are both critical variables to efficacy. It may take some considerable time & experimentation. Be patient, try to figure out a logical procedure, and stick with it.

Since learning Myofascial techniques, we probably use them more often than the TENS, but still glad I've got it for the tough cases. For spasms, I was taught to use the zapping settings - they're supposed to jolt the spasming muscle until it gives up and relaxes (and you really know when that happens). I use the buzzing settings for burning/constant pain.

Others may vary.

Doc

Well, with all of my fighting with insurance I got a whopping 6 additional sessions of PT. Starting right now with PT and trying to set up a detailed after care or at home program so I am not caught off guard. When I get the TENS unit the PT and the OSS said they would help me out. Still waiting to hear from the durable medical portion of my insurance plan. It is 4 months today that I had my surgery. Definitely glad that I had the surgery, just didn't realize the long recovery period. Silly me. ROM is pretty good, left and down, later in the day the right catches up. Going up or ear to shoulder is limited as is my strength. Still get muscle spasms, knots in my shoulders and down to my shoulder blades. At times I get the burning feeling from shoulder to shoulder (not pleasant). I just keep reminding myself this is treatable and took more than 5 years to finally have the surgery and it may take a year or more to get myself back to where I want to be.


************************************************** **
12/9/2010 ACDF C5-6 C6-7 with plate, screws,
BMP & bone fragment filled cages
2/14/2011 trying to go back to work as a teacher
2/17/2011 starting PT
wearing bone stimulator 4 hours a day
DDD, arthritis, herniated disks, pinched nerves
3 months saw a little bit of bone growth (YEAH)
4/9/2011 ROM much better, still achy and stiff in the am

thank you for writing that, the great thing about this forum is to read what others are going through and realize you're not alone (and that I'm normal.. LOL)

I'm at the 5 week post op mark, and was really starting to get frustrated at how long it was taking me to heal. I'm a little stronger everyday, but I still have pain. Reading your post and seeing that you are still not back to your usual self at the 4 month mark reminds me how long it actually takes to heal from this surgery. I'm probably pretty normal in my recovery then.

Thanks for the post, good luck with your PT, take lots of notes so you can do them yourself at home afterwards!!
Let me know how the tens works for you, I was thinking of requesting one for myself after my follow up with the surgeon in 3 weeks.

Cheers ~ here's to happy healing for both of us
Cathie

Hi Cathie,

Isn't that putting the cart before the horse? Hopefully you won't have need of one, but if you do, I'd suggest trying one during PT first.

Doc

yeah, you're probably right, but I spent a lot of time hooked up to a tens and IFC machine at my physio therapist's before surgery, so I know how much relief they give, and I've been having so many muscle spasms since surgery I'm expecting it will give me some relief from that. I'm trying to find a way to get off all the meds and I am a strong believer in PT and alternative therapies.

hopefully these damn muscle spasms and pain will stop soon, then I won't need to worry about it.

There is no such reality as normal recovery. You are still very early in your recovery. It takes a long time to heal. Your body has been through major surgery and probably a long time of injury and pain prior.

I am hopeful that in one year post surgery I will have much more strength, great ROM and be able to complete takes without taking breaks due to pain, knots and spasms. I also want to be able to drive my son college in August (8 hours) and enjoy the achievement. Everyone is different.

At 6 weeks I was still very weak, no strength and very little ROM. At 10 weeks I think I saw a major difference with ROM and some strength. I only wore a soft collar after I think 4 weeks except all the time when I slept or in a car and at times when I was sore and achy. PT certainly helped. I try and complete a few exercises many times during the day. Just take your time and be careful with your neck. You only have one. I keep reminding my self of that.

I kept a journal of questions and symptoms that concerned me throughout my pre and post op time. I continue to. It is important to know what symptoms you have, when they happen (what were you doing prior to pain), how long they last and what helped alleviate them. I never thought that they recovery would take this long. I want to sleep well though the night, wake up without aches and pains and not limited ROM until I exercise. I thought I would be able to clean my house and do all the laundry without issues....not yet.

Time will tell. Again it is treatable.
************************************************** **
12/9/2010 ACDF C5-6 C6-7 with plate, screws,
BMP & bone fragment filled cages
2/14/2011 trying to go back to work as a teacher
2/17/2011 starting PT
wearing bone stimulator 4 hours a day
DDD, arthritis, herniated disks, pinched nerves
3 months saw a little bit of bone growth (YEAH)
4/9/2011 ROM much better, still achy and stiff in the am

I absolutely LOVE my tens unit... I would recommend it to anyone with chronic pain!