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Neurology  (Expert Forum)
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cervical disc surgery
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MedHelp Member's Question

cervical disc surgery

by cvan, Oct 31, 2003 12:00AM
I have just undergone surgery (42 yrs old) for a c5 c6 disc herniation one week ago. This included disc removal,bone graft&putty,along with titanium hardware. Pre-op my symptoms included deep shouder pain between the scapula and spine, arm weakness, numbness and loss of strength, all on the dominant right side. I had undergone conservative treatment for these symptoms for 6 months, but symptoms continued to increase and severe enough for me to take a medical leave of absence from work. The pain was treated with hydrocodone. As I am aware that a positive attitude can go a long way towards recovery, I am disturbed to be experiencing the same pain level and additional pain on the left side now. In my best interest (I think) I am currently not taking any perscription pain reliever and take only acetominiphen. In addition, post op I began having restless leg syndrome. The disc below the one that was removed also was herniated, but not removed. I am confident in my neurosurgeons abilities but find the onset of new symptoms rather disheartening and am very concerned about my recovery. Too early to tell?  My otherwise active lifestyle has been on hold for so long already and this is getting depressing! Thanks.
Doctor's Answer

by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-CS, Nov 01, 2003 12:00AM
Pain during the post-operative phase is not uncommon, and also it is well known that pre-operative pain does not always respond to surgery. You should follow you rehab plan very closely, and inform your surgeon about the new symptoms. If there is a significant change from your immediate post-operative state then this may need to be reinvestigated. Good luck.
Member Comments (19)

by Kikko, Oct 31, 2003 12:00AM
I understand what you are going through, but be patient.  I went through the same thing a year ago. The pain does decrease in time.  Maybe the symptoms you now feel on the left, is due to the fact you possibly were using your left arm more prior to surgery, because of the pain in the right. Hopefully, it will all balance out for you.  But just one week post op, is not enough time to judge the outcome.  Hope you will be feeling better soon.

by Johnny B, Nov 04, 2003 12:00AM
I am having a similar problem... I underwent c 5/6 discectomy with plating and fusion... I am now  having numbing, burning tingling on my left arm and hand/fingers.. The right side occasionally has the same symptoms.. I have tried therapy, pain meds, neurontin, and just went for a myelogram...- awaiting those results... Is there anything short of another surgery that can be done to relieve the pain?  I have al the confidence in my surgeon.. Its just that I am getting somewhat tired of the extreme weakness in my left arm.. I have also completely stopped any exercise and activities I used to enjoy... I fear This is getting worse.  Help!!!!!

by Hook, Nov 05, 2003 12:00AM
To: Johnny B
Hello,  I too have had a cervical fusion done.  Mine was done at the C6/C7 level.  One year after that I had a shoulder surgery done to correct a torn labrum.  At this time I am still having trouble.  Numbness in the hands.  Burning at the left bicep muscle.  EMG states active abnormalties on the C5/C6 nerve root and chronic abnormal signals on C6/C7.  My surgeon wants me to also have a myleogram and I am scared to death.   Could you please tell me about the myleogram you had done.   I have been putting it off, however, the doctor suspects problems with the disc above and below.  I have dealt with this problem for so long.  It has been really bad since 2000, but have had symptoms earlier than that.  I would love to be problem and pain free but do not want any more or new problems.  Any comments you might have would be welcomed.  Thanks

by jan, Nov 06, 2003 12:00AM
I was just told I need surgery for this.  My surgeon does not like the fact that I have been on oxycontin since April. He will remove the 6th disc.  On my mri it says I have to discs and impingements.  One on the left where the pain originated and one on the right, where the pain is now.  The emg showed chronic problems on the left and active on the right.  He will be taking care of the one that involves the left side because that is where the strength testing shows problems.

I hope he will do the one involving the right side if he goes in and sees that is a concern.

I am wondering if that was your problem and that is why now you are experiencing symptoms on the other side.



Wish me luck!  I was told the success rate is 96%.

by cvan, Nov 07, 2003 12:00AM
Prior to surgery I had shoulder pain and muscle weakness on my right side. I began dropping things regularily and at times just turning a key became difficult. My Neurosurgeon reviewed my MRI with me on my first visit. She pointed out the abnormalities in the c5 c6 area and brought to my attention that the c6 c7 disc was buldged, but not nearly like the one above. I had never experienced any pain on my left side prior to surgery but had been asked over and over again if I did. It has been 2 weeks post op for me with little improvement. I spend approx. 20 hours a day lying flat on my back (this can't be good) to relieve the pain I am in. My new symptoms are on my left side. I have been told that when a patient recieves narcotic pain relievers for chronic pain, they become hyper-sensitive to the post op pain. It's really taking a toll on my well being and I am hoping that in the coming weeks I could share some good news.

by jan, Nov 07, 2003 12:00AM
"I have been told that when a patient recieves narcotic pain relievers for chronic pain, they become hyper-sensitive to the post op pain."  Well, that isn't good news.  I wonder if weaning a little before surg. will help.  What are you taking for pain now?



It is my ortho surg who was going to do this surgery.  Now, I am thinking of going elsewhere, something at 1st I didn't want to do.  He is dropping my ins carrier as of Dec. 15th and then he is too busy to return my call.  Any dr. that is too busy to return my call, isn't a dr. that I will keep.  I like him and he has a good reputation, but...  I don't think I am being unreasonable, either.  I could go on, but enough of that.



Now that I am at this place I was wondering, I see cvan had a neurosurg, did the rest have a neurosurg or an ortho surg?  Did any of you have spurs removed during surgery, too?



How many days in the hospital for this?  How was everybody else's pain mgt. after surg?  What about recovery, hard collar, soft collar, length of time with both?



Thanks for the info.

by cvan, Nov 07, 2003 12:00AM
I had my surgery at 1:00 p.m., and was released from the hospital the next morning at 8:00 a.m. I am wearing a hard cervical collar until my post op exam Nov.12th. I was provided with a muscle relaxant (20 Flexerol) and pain reliever (30-5 mg/500mg hydrocodone/apap) for after surgery and have had no prescription meds since. I've reported my new symptoms but they are unwilling to prescribe anything for the pain. As I can see by others, surgery doesn't necessarily treat the pain. So, are they telling me now that they have removed the organic origin of my pain, I no longer can have the pain I am experiencing treated?If this is the case, then I was better off before. I do not regret having surgery, as it was worth a try. My 63 yr old Mother had the same surgery 2 days before me, she is already wearing a soft cervical collar, needs nothing at night and is pain free. I do hope I am just slow to improve. I may have held off if I had found this forum before trying surgery