Hi all! I am happy to report that I am one week post op on my AFDC surgery. Two levels were involved, C4-5 and C6-7. I am doing very well, the horrific pain in my left shoulder and arm is gone. I still have some numbness in my fingers but it seems to become less and less everyday. I am wondering if any of you experienced pain between your shoulder blades after surgery? It seems to happen to me when I swallow and I am not holding my head at a certain angle. When I sit up straight and lean back slightly it doesn't hurt as bad. Appreciate any insight from the group.

Beckel

Yes, pain between the shoulder blades is very very normal. You are still in the early phase of recovery. Every day should get better. I started PT at 4 weeks, scared to death, but it actually helped the pain. Nothing was done to me that hurt, and the gentle stretching got me mobile faster than I thought possible. You may also be experienceing muscle spasms. That can happen too. If bad enough, you may want to ask your neuro about Soma. This helps to relax the muscles and works along side of the pain killers. Easy does it, rest alot. Also if you can purchace an incline pillow, I found that a great help all during my recovery. I am fused C3-7. I wish you all the best. ginnie

Ginnie, thank you for responding to my question. I had called the doctor before I posted and when they called me back, they said I needed to go on some muscle relaxers (just as you said). I already take Robaxin twice a day due to some back surgery I had years ago. They told me to take three a day. This is the weirdest surgery I've ever experienced. I've never had any pain in the incision, but I seem to hurt other places instead (such as mid back). I can't get comfortable when I lay down (I did buy a wedge pillow, but it was hard as a rock!) and I just feel disoriented or something. I have a hard time with not doing anything, I feel as if I should be doing all of my housework, etc. I tend to potter around, doing anything at eye level, then I recline for a while, then I sit for a while, etc. Can you tell me basically how long it will take for me to heal completely? I guess I am just not a good patient, but I certainly don't want to hinder getting well!

Got you on that one, I am the worlds worst patient! Recovery is real individual. Truthfully it took me a year, to feel more like myself and not scared half to death with every movement. I have a bit of left over pain from below my surgerical site at T1-2-3. I am careful. Mine is due to degerative joint and disk disease. The surgery was rough as I reversed the curve of my spine. Yours may not need as much healing time as I did. I do recommend that PT just as soon as your neuro surgeon says OK. This PT though I was scared, really did more to get me on track than anything else. Aches and pains still happen, but NO neruo pain in the arms and hands. I am post 2 years now, doing just fine. You will too in time, just give yourself plenty of TLC in these early weeks. There are also GEL foam incline pillows that are NOT hard as a rock. A local medical supply place may carry them. If not I have the name of a magazine for med. supplies that does. I go back and forth between a regular pillow, and the incline one now. Glad you did get some medication from the Doc. That should help alot. I think the muscles are all upset with the intrusion, and contract causing more pain than necessary. Take the meds. and be good to yourself. You will be just fine, and in a better place. ginnie