Post op ACDF

[soonergalstef]

I had ACDF on 2 levels 3 weeks ago, and am wondering if it is normal to have pain in my arms now?  I didn't have pain here pre-op, but now this is my major source of pain.

[Mandiekins]

I havent had alot of relief from the surgery with the exception of my leg feeling better (one of my discs was pressing on the spinal cord and giving me problems in my left leg). I also had alot of numbness on the backs of my shoulders which has gotten better but now hurts as opposed to the numbness (the docs say that is better and that it means the nerve is healing but it doesnt feel that great :) And my original right arm weakness and pain are still here but they said that would take a while.  Im still hoping to have more improvement in the next few months
The muscle spasms have been a big hassle for me (keep feeling like my muscles are getting caught on something and causes my head to jerk, have you had this?) but i was given Robaxin at first too which did nothing, I have since tried flexeril and zanaflex and I am now taking 4 mg of the zanaflex 3 times a day but i take 1 and 1/2 at night and that dosage works the best on the spasm but makes you very sleepy. Maybe you could ask your doc about the zanaflex when you go and hopefully you'll find some relief.

[soonergalstef]

I had C5-7 done.  Glad to know that the pain is normal.  I see my doc on the 2nd, so we will see what he says.  How are you doing besides the arm pain?  I have some muscle relaxers that I take 3 of at a time:  Robaxin, but I don't notice much of a difference.  Thank you for your response.  I hope you feel better soon!

[Mandiekins]

Hi,
I had ACDF 2 level C-4 thru C-6 a little over two weeks ago and i am having pain and trouble moving both of my arms as well. My doc said my pain was normal, I feel like its from everything still being aggrivated and swollen and of course  the muscle spasms. Are you on muscle relaxers? They help mine alot but I had to try several different ones before they worked. Hope you start to feel better soon.

[Kalvin]

Hey there, I haven't been on here much lately as you know.

How are you, are you arms still bothering you?  What's your Surgeon saying about this?