C5-6, C6-7 disc removal/fusion

[im4indiana]

I had two discs removed c5-6, c6-7 area May 2010.  The doctor fused those affected vertebrae.  Approximately six weeks after surgery, I did physical therapy to get some movement back into the neck/shoulders.  Before I had the surgery, there was an aching pain deep in the shoulder blade muscle on both sides.  My doctor stated after viewing my MRI that I had bone spurs that were most likely tangled in with the nerves that could possibly be causing the pain.  At surgery, they fused the 3 vertebrae and removed two bad discs..  They also deburred the bone spurs to hopefully help in the pain.  I'm going in for my one year checkup and was curious if there were any other questions I should present the doctor other then the obvious.   neck and shoulder pain have not gone away...is there anything else that might be setting off this pain?  I'm getting tired of taking pain pills, would rather find a solution to the problem...
Thank you.

[NurseGoody]

I am having surgery on Monday...I am having an ACDR(artificial disc) placed at C5-6 and a fusion done at C6-7...My Neck Specialist hopes he can get around the domino effect by placing the artificial disc above the the fusion so it gets pulled on...and the discs below are in perfect condition for now...I also have have MAJOR shoulder pain...I have had an MRI done on it that came back normal but an Artrogram was suggested, so the plan is to wait until after surgery and if the pain remains in the shoulder I am going to have the Arthrogram done on that shoulder to see if there might be a small rotator cuff tear that did not show on the MRI...I'm not sure if you want to ask your physician if is possible it might be a whole other problem and not your neck causing the shoulder pain...I too have have burning, tingling, and numbness down my L arm...I have a Nerve Conduction Study done that showed Mod-Severe nerve conduction disorder...in English...I have nerve damage from the length of time the nerves have been being squeezed...I am on Comp at this time and if any of you have ever dealt with that you know it takes for ever and a day to get anything approved...I took me 8 months to get surgery approved...this was after ALL the conservative therapy they could think of putting me through!!!  I am a 33 year old who is or was very active prior to injury(a nurse who works 3-4 twelve hr shifts a week...hiking..camping..quading..snowboarding..jetskiing..mother of a 10 year old and a wife) but since injury(Dec 09) have been dwindling downhill FAST!!!  I have trouble with the L arm ALWAYS...but have been told by my Neck guy that he has confidence he can get me back to 95% or so...a few of my PT friends advise for after recovery...if it hurts...don't do it...if it doesn't have at it....I hope some of this may have helped...I am in the medical field but am still stressed about Monday...I'm not use to being on this side of the knife:)  Hope all goes well for the both of ya!!!
Sarah

[im4indiana]

I'm about to switch neck specialists.  There are a couple of others in Indy who also do the surgery and get 2nd and 3rd opinions.. I understood going in that my neck wouldnt be the same when I came out.  I was just looking for pain relief.  It has it's good days and I hate the bad days.  I hate calling and asking for some medication to relieve the pain.  There has to be a cause for this or it wouldn't be bothering me that much. So next month, hopefully, they'll either do a Cat scan or another MRI to see what's ailing me.  That's for your two cents worth.  I just turned 55 and was hoping to have something left in me by the time I retired...ha

Dave

[MZ33]

You are not alone by any stretch of the imagination.I also have a tens unit with the
muscle stimulator.Its of little use for me,oh I will get it out from time to time and use it.
Its just not very affective for me.I am cursed with muscle atrophy and have very limited use of my arm and hand.Keep in touch, I am still seeing a neurologist and other doctors in hopes
of finding relief.
Mike

[im4indiana]

That's what I was afraid of.  I've actually had this pain ongoing for about 3 years now.  My doctor who did the surgery said there was already damage done from the bone spurs I had tangled in some nerves.  I watched a video on them doing a disc removal/fusion, made me sick watching it.  I have a TENS unit, it helps some times, not all the time.  I had a little relief after surgery, but about a year out and it's returned.  Shoulder blades, neck, seem to always be flaring.  Feels like soreness similar to when I played basketball back in high school.  The first practice.  Only problem, it doesnt go away.   Oh well, thanks for writing back.  Good to know I'm not the only one going through this crap.
Dave

[MZ33]

I had the same surgery in 2008.I also have
the same problems with pain.I have had
the blocks,epidurals and trigger point injections.
I have basically been told that meds and a spinal
cord stimulator are my only hope left.
I also had a fusion at C2C3 in 2006,and it was
a breeze.But since I have been told that I have
the domino effect that you hear about.
Good luck,
MZ33

[sharadale]

wow. we had the same surgery but mine was done in January 2011. I have not had physical therapy yet. Dr. makes me get xrays before every appointment to see how well the fusion has taken place. He won't let me have therapy until he is sure about the fusion.
I can honestly say the pain is different than before the surgery. I also know that it is getting better, just not as fast as I expected.
Ask him if there are any nerve conduction tests that can be done to see if there is any nerve damage that could be causing this pain. I was told that the burning, numbness and tingling was a sign of nerve damage and if I didn't have the surgery soon enough the damage could be permanent.