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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Headaches and pain following anterior cervical discectomy.
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Headaches and pain following anterior cervical discectomy.
by Sugar Fairy, Jan 21, 2006 12:00AM
I am 2 years post-op anterior cervical discectomy with fusion to relieve compression on spinal cord at c5/c6 level. Had lots of pain and progressive leg weakness, right arm pain, and unable to write + loss of balance. I have had 18 months of constant neck pain since the surgery, worse in the night and on wakening. Every morning waking with severe headache and pain radiating from back of head to over eyes and sometimes down one side of face. This feels like a combination of nerve pain and a peculiar sensation, as if the bones at the back of my neck are being stretched from the inside.
Finally, after 18 months, the stretching pain has eased but I still have the headaches 2-3 times a week. On my 2 year check with the Neurosurgeon he said the pain could have been due to the titanium cage having been too big and that my pain should continue to improve, or it is just that my body has taken longer to adjust to surgery.
I also still have difficulty swallowing and have always felt that something is pressing against my throat, and I have a weak voice, my arm pain is worse than before the surgery. My legs are now stronger and the neck pain I had prior to the surgery has gone.
Do you think these headaches will go and the swallowing improve. If not do I have any other options. I was realistic about the surgery and did not expect miracles after having had this problem for over 24 years (now 48), but I am finding the pain so debilitating. I have a desk job which does aggravate the symptoms. Also, will there be any long-term effects of the cage being too big.
Thank you
Finally, after 18 months, the stretching pain has eased but I still have the headaches 2-3 times a week. On my 2 year check with the Neurosurgeon he said the pain could have been due to the titanium cage having been too big and that my pain should continue to improve, or it is just that my body has taken longer to adjust to surgery.
I also still have difficulty swallowing and have always felt that something is pressing against my throat, and I have a weak voice, my arm pain is worse than before the surgery. My legs are now stronger and the neck pain I had prior to the surgery has gone.
Do you think these headaches will go and the swallowing improve. If not do I have any other options. I was realistic about the surgery and did not expect miracles after having had this problem for over 24 years (now 48), but I am finding the pain so debilitating. I have a desk job which does aggravate the symptoms. Also, will there be any long-term effects of the cage being too big.
Thank you
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-PW, Jan 21, 2006 12:00AM
The main reason for this type of surgery is to prevent further neurological disability, which it seems was sucessful in your case. Obviously it would be worse if you were paralyzed etc.
It does not necessarily treat the pain though, and it seems like you now have a chronic headache disorder which may be best managed by a headache neurologist with a medication both ot prevent headaches and ones to treat exacerbations. Getting specific neck physical therapy in order to improve muscle tensiona and posture id s important also.
THere can be residual disc fragments after surgery which can press on the esphogus and cause difficulty swallowing - I dont know if your surgeon exlcuded this by doing a postop MRI.
Its hard to comment on the cage without knowing more detaiols about your specific case.
Good luck
It does not necessarily treat the pain though, and it seems like you now have a chronic headache disorder which may be best managed by a headache neurologist with a medication both ot prevent headaches and ones to treat exacerbations. Getting specific neck physical therapy in order to improve muscle tensiona and posture id s important also.
THere can be residual disc fragments after surgery which can press on the esphogus and cause difficulty swallowing - I dont know if your surgeon exlcuded this by doing a postop MRI.
Its hard to comment on the cage without knowing more detaiols about your specific case.
Good luck
Eduardo, it sounds like you had what I am going to have. I am curious to know if you had any other pre-exisiting health conditions... I am considered obese, and that seems to be my main concern going into and coming out of surgery and recovery/therapy. Care to share anymore? Email me at ***@**** Thanks and hope your pains get resolved!!