NeuroTalk Support Groups - week 1:anterior and posterior cervical surgery

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- Spinal Disorders & Back Pain (https://www.neurotalk.org/spinal-disorders-and-back-pain/)

- - week 1:anterior and posterior cervical surgery (https://www.neurotalk.org/spinal-disorders-and-back-pain/185618-week-1-anterior-posterior-cervical-surgery.html)

Quote:

Originally Posted by mg neck prob (Post 967662)

I had scabs and blood in my scalp after surgery ----thats from the sticky electo things they attach to you during surgery --they forgot to take mine off I had to pull them off they were in my head and back I even found dried blood btw my toes-lol--I think they use it to montior the spine to make sure they dont nick anything during surgery.

wish you well

someone who cares

Quote:

Originally Posted by LindaH (Post 968180)

i read your posting with much interest since i am scheduled next tuesday for the same 2 procedures. i had had a plate installed during an anterior acdf in November 2012. now the doc says it has come dislodged and is hanging loose on only 2 screws. he and every other doctor we've talked to think this is a dangerous situation . he wants to remove the plate anteriorly and install the rods posteriorly.

It took me a long time to recover from the first procedure in Nov. and i still cannot use my right arm (diagnosed as C 5 palsy). i'm very concerned that recovery from the upcoming operation will be even harder or that i will never fully recover. My recovery is further complicated by my Parkinson's disease.

I'm also interested in hearing from others who have undergone similar procedures

PLEASE DO NOT DO ANYTHING
TO PUT YOU IN HARMS WAY
SAFETY SAFETY SAFETY
IT TAKE LONGER THAN WHAT THE DOCTOR
SAYS ABOUT RECOVERY
TAKE THE MEDICATION
WHEN IN PAIN

GOD BLESS

someone who cares

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrsalkire (Post 968665)

Linda Im sorry you have to go through all this. I was scared too! BUT I can tell you straight out of surgery I could swallow better than before. Pain is pretty intense though. I think time will tell how it goes from here Im not really sure. I did it because I didnt really see any choice I couldnt stay the way I was. Guess now were in this together. Ill be praying for you!!!!:hug:

as i will too

someone who cares

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrsalkire (Post 967133)

So 1 week since my surgery and I feel like a mack truck hit me and is still sitting on my shoulders/neck area. I cant lift my arms and have a horrible pain. BUT I can swallow better from day one than it was the entire 7 months after my first acdf. I cant find much info though on anyone who has had both an anterior and posterior procedure in one day. They went through the front removed the plate and screws then went in back and put in rods and screws c3-c6. pain seems gone from shoulder and arm now numbness comes and GOES so figure that is just swelling induced? Thoughts feedback info?????? anything????

Hi mrsalkire,

Sorry, I have no experience with anterior and posterior in one day, but WOW! I do know that after having anterior cervical fusion, it took over a year for the muscle spasms to completely go away. It takes quite a while for the body to adjust to the hardware invasion. I was beginning to wonder if the muscle spasms were going to be permanent, but after about 12-18 months they finally subsided.

Hang in there! :hug: Also, check on the pain medicine. There should be something that could relieve some of the post-op pain. :)

thank you mrsalkire,
It helps to know what to expect, even if pain is the expectation.The docs say there is "a little" more pain with the posterior approach--- only other patients who have gone thru the same experience will tell it like it is.

I hope your pain is gone soon and you get experience more improvement. You wroted,
" I did it because I didnt really see any choice I couldnt stay the way I was." Exactly how I feel.

Quote:

Originally Posted by eva5667faliure (Post 968857)

PLEASE DO NOT DO ANYTHING
TO PUT YOU IN HARMS WAY
SAFETY SAFETY SAFETY
IT TAKE LONGER THAN WHAT THE DOCTOR
SAYS ABOUT RECOVERY
TAKE THE MEDICATION
WHEN IN PAIN

GOD BLESS

someone who cares

Thank you Eva. This is all good advice

Thank you so much!

I am so grateful for all the well wishes. It means so much knowing we are not in this alone! Most people who havent been through this dont understand. :grouphug:

Two failed ACDFs and upcoming surgery

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrsalkire (Post 967133)

Hi, It sounds as though I will be having a procedure similar to yours so I am very interested and concerned for how you are doing. I originally had an ACDF at C5-6 that either never fused or broke due to an accident I had after the surgery. I had a stroke about one month after the surgery from a blood clot and later fell. I eventually had a second ACDF to repair the fusion. Because of the stroke the docs were very apprehensive about doing any surgery at all. As it was, I had to wait 6 months before they would attempt it. They would not attempt the posterior repair portion for the same reasons. Now, after a two years of continued neck pain, they have diagnosed another failed fusion as well as herniations and stenosis at the two levels above. Bottom line is I will have a three level, anterior and posterior fusion repair, fusion, laminectomy, and hardware implementation. Yes, I am nervous, but after reading your report, I am feeling better that maybe it won't be as bad as I imagine.
Any thoughts or feedback will be appreciated.

Posterior & anterior c3-7

I am a week out of surgery. No feeling in right foot & in a wheelchair
The front incision doesn't bother me...the back incision is beyond
Painful still. The scabs on my scalp are due to the vice they place
Your head in once they flipped me over to secure the cage with screws
I am in a rehab facility to do PT & OT ... My follow up with my surgeon
Is 7/19/14. I have a ton of questions...WHY IS MY FOOT left without feeling!!!
Has anyone experienced such intense pain as me? I am on meds for pain
But even those can't combat this intense feeling... Any feedback would be
Great?!?!

How are you doing now?

I am having the double procedure on 8/12/14. How are you doing now?