Hi,
I am a 39 year old male.
i tripped and fell of my back deck and herniated c6/c7 disc last year.
i eventually had to have single level ACDF surgery after conservative treatment failed.
This is what is happening now:
Fusion confirmed via ct scan
Post surgery MRI shows a new semi-bulging/herniated disc at c5/c6 @ c4/c5.
Constant burning/aching pain area directly on my cervical spine on the lower side of the bump.
This aching pain increases with any type of movement that involves my head. so basically any activity from eating dinner t dressing, working at computer, walking etc....and moving around in general. Essentially anytime my neck has to completely support my head. It goes into my shoulder and into my arm and down to my left middle finger. My left index finger and middle finger also get numb.
Now if i support my head or sit/completely upright, the added pain/arm nerve subsides but i am still left with the constant aching/burning.

So the nerve is being agitated with movement.

so what do you say neurotalk folks?
Is this residual damage to the nerve from the previous herniation or somethin else?
Can inflamed facet joints cause similar symptoms?

J

Hi Jerry, welcome.

What you're describing is called adjacent segment degeneration; along with failed back (or cervical) surgery syndrome, it's one of the most common risks of spinal surgery.

It could be either or both.

Inflamed facet joints may cause similar symptoms, but so can other causes (e.g. osteoarthritis, others). Do NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin, etc.) help?

Doc

dr. smith,

hi,
NSAIDS do not seem to help much.
LYRICA does help some.

The doctor was looking at the possibility of the failed surgery in the form of a nonunion. But he ruled that out due to the confirmed fusion on ct scan.

i was concerned about the possibility of adjacent segment degeneration.

Is it uncommon for this to happen in less than a year from the surgery?

thanks,

j

I don't know the answer to that offhand. I would think it would depend on the condition of the adjacent discs & vertebrae (among other variables). I have heard/known of doctors that have advised against surgery because of poor condition of adjacent segments and increased likelihood of problems later on.

The answer may be here, but have to be dug out.
adjacent segment degeneration following cervical spinal fusion

It is not uncommon for failied surgery syndromes to manifest less than a year from the surgery.

Doc