HI.I had 2 level ACDF on 12/9/2010. I was stopped waiting to make a turn when a Ford Explorer barreled into me (Nissan Altima) at 30 mph. I am so scared that there is now additional damage to my neck and or my fusion or plate and screws shifted. Spoke to OSS and since I am not having radiating pain down my arm or tingling in my fingers I am waiting to go to their office on Tuesday instead of emergency room. They can do x rays and MRI's in office. The muscle aches and spasms are killing me. Taking anti inflammatory and using TENS unit but afraid to take real meds and mask any pain that it occurring.Anyone else get into an accident and fine after being rear ended. I need some words of wisdoms and good thoughts. Thanks

If you were truly hit by a vehicle with a closing velocity of 30 mph that weighs 1/3 more than yours, my opinion would be to quit screwing around and go to the ER/urgent care and get at least cervical x-rays done to make sure there are no obvious signs of trauma i.e. broken screws, avulsion/uncinate/zygoapophyseal fractures, ligamentous instability.

I read this and my heart stopped for you. That is my biggest fear is getting into an accident after my fusion. I'm a wreck driving in the passenger seat.

I agree, go to the ER and get some test done to make sure everything is ok.

Please keep us posted on how you are doing.... TOU.
Cathie

I agree with both Cathy and dubious. you need to document any damage as soon as possible. the other side will try to argue that everything is pre-existing since you had surgery only 10 months ago. also, find yourself a good car accident attorney who can help you through this. once you hire this attorney all communications from the other side have to go the Atty first. this was extremely valuable to me as I was in so much pain and couldn't deal with the stress of talking to the other side.

I was the front car in a 4 car collision 8 years ago. I refused treatment at the scene and reluctantly dragged myself to an MD about 6 weeks after the accident when things were not improving. this was a big mistake on my part and it came up in the depositions. what I had going for back then is I was heathly and hadn't seen a doctor for any reason except annual checkups. I ended up with 2 surgeries from this accident and will have my neck fused within the next year.

I agree also, get things checked out for now, and remember that whiplash effects can even show up awhile after the fact.

Let us know how it goes for you, some Phys therapy for the spams might be a good add on for those spasms, the meds more or less just cover up the pain.

I am happy to report after coming home from the OSS the hardware is all in place. He took a ton of x rays of my neck and back. The plate and screws are in tact and in place not issues with them. He said that I have a really significant whiplash. Major muscle spasms and some pain issues to deal with. I haven't taken much for the pain as I wanted to "really" feel what was going on. He said that I should wear the soft collar and that should help along with Soma 250 mg for muscle spams and EC naprosyn 500 mg for the pain. They said to find a pharmacy that accepts no fault. My regular pharmacy doesn't so I need to make a few calls. Not really sure how no fault works. Guess I need to. OSS is taking care of all the paperwork for his visits since I have to go through my PIP on my car insurance here in NY. Doesn't seem fair to me. I go back in 2 weeks unless I feel worse then I can go back when ever I want to. They are wonderful. I asked about any herniation or bulging. He said that wouldn't show in an xray and he would wait for an MRI which would show that. I guess I do need to find out about a lawyer. On the accident report the guy who hit me did take responsibility so that part is done. I don't think there is any money. The guy who hit me was unlicensed and his brother who owned the car is licensed and insured. I think they are immigrants who barely make ends meet. Owner works at stop and shop and as a cook at a deli. Guy who hit me works at dunkin donuts. I worked 2 days now (teacher) and the muscle spasms and pain have definitely increased. Glad I was able to sit on the recliner and do nothing for 4 days.
Just want to thank everyone for being concerned. I'm sure I will repost in 2 weeks after the next appointment unless something else comes up.

Regarding insurance, I was in the same situation you are during my car accident. The other side clearly didn't have any money. Thankfully, there was a small policy which only partially covered my bills. Then, my insurance kicked in up to its limit. I learned the lesson the hard way to carry good coverage. What seemed like a small accident turned in to major medical bills (>$100K). Hopefully, you have a decent policy to help cover the bills.

At least the guy admitted he was at fault at the scene. The driver that caused my accident originally wasn't taking the blame until a witness stepped forward and told what he saw. Then the guy fessed up.

Well, I finished my first week of teaching (4 days). The accident was 1 week ago today. It was a long week. Wednesday was definitely the worst. The spasms, burning, and pins and needles were horrible. I am using the TENS unit quite a bit and taking the anti inflammatory 3x a day along with the muscle relaxers and when I am able to pain meds. I try to remain positive. The accident could have been much worse. No cars in front of me and no one else was in the car with me. But most importantly the plate and screws are intact. Thank you all for your good thought.

I am still concerned. Muscle spasms not as bad but still there. If I lift anything or do too much they come back and let me know. My ROM has decreased tremendously and there is so much crunching when I turn my neck. OSS said not too worry about the crunching but it goes right through me like nails on a chalkboard.
I go back on Wed. but would love to go back on Monday if they have room for me. I am also going to request an MRI. I want to know what is going on with the soft tissue. Also having some issues with swallowing, feeling like there is a lump in my throat and or narrowing. It could be in my head or just inflammation in general making it feel bad. Who knows. After all I have been through I think I get nervous with everything I feel. I am keeping a journal of how I feel and how it impacts my life. Just in case I need it for a lawyer. Hope everyone is feeling as well as they can. When shopping with a girlfriend as a pick me up. Bought 2 outfits. Helped a bit. Was very tired after shopping. Came home to take a nap.
**************************************** *********
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)
4/15/2011 Home Tens Unit
6 months - end plate growth going well - no more bone stimulator, issues with hands going to vascular and hand surgeons to find out why
8/2011 - may have TOS or RSD still researching
9/2/2011 Rear ended at 30 mph. Significant Whiplash

Dealt with the pain and issues for more than 5 years
tried PT, chiropractic, acupuncture, cervical epidural shots and selective nerve root blocks prior to surgery

Frenchfri -

Have they sent you for physical therapy? It will help get the muscle spasms to settle down. Ever since my car accident in 03, even a small bump causes my neck to tighten up and I get nerve pain and muscle spasms for several weeks up to 2 months. My neck wasn't an issue before that car accident. Now, I know have moderate to severe stenosis at a couple of levels and will need surgery eventually.

You've had surgery. If they do scans and don't see any notable issues, then it's likely that it will just take time to settle down. Physical therapy, massage, acupuncture, etc. should help. Keep with the journal writing. In a few weeks, you can look back in the journal and see how you are slowly improving (or not improving). This will help both yourself and the doctors. Just a word of caution regarding the journal - if you end up having to give a deposition related to the car accident, the other side will ask if you kept any journals. I recently kept a journal for an unrelated issue and the doctor was appreciative that I did as it showed my symptoms are definitely set off by food and I wasn't relying on just my memory. I was denying pain with the symptoms but I'd mentioned pain several times in the journal. So it was a good thing I showed him the journal/chart.

Swallowing - it's very likely related to the neck trauma and it either will settle down, too, or it's a signal of something wrong in the neck. When my spasms get really bad, the first place I notice it now is in the jaw, then swallowing, then I notice that the neck is really tight and spasming.