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Post surgical pain after cervical disc replacement
Pain after having an artificial disc replacement~
I had ruptured discs at c5, c6, c7 and the surgery was to use an artificial disc at c6 to alleviate pain.
Right after surgery, I felt great, but about 2 years post surgery, started having pain again.
Now, and dealing with severe headaches that start at the base of my skull, and are like tension headaches.
Also, severe muscle spasms in upper back and shoulder areas (both sides) that are not responding to muscle relaxers, exercise, massage, or ultra sound therapy.
Help! Need some advice!
Had an MRI and MRA about 3 weeks ago, that show no reason in the brain as to why I am having such bad headaches, there is no rhyme or reason to the episodes either.
They can happen in an instant and can go away quickly or linger for a day or two.
The disc is the Prestige artificial disc, and I am involved in a study group.
The doctor that did the surgery says that the pain I am experiencing is not from the disc itself, so he is no help.
I feel like my shoulder and the sides of my neck are constantly tensed up, and I can crack or pop my neck sometimes and that relieves the pressure, but some days, the pain is so intense, I just want to take something to make it all go away!
I do have an office job, but try to get up and walk around the office often, and I do exercise often, walking, SCUBA diving, light weight lifting.
Any suggestions would be great!
Thanks
I had ruptured discs at c5, c6, c7 and the surgery was to use an artificial disc at c6 to alleviate pain.
Right after surgery, I felt great, but about 2 years post surgery, started having pain again.
Now, and dealing with severe headaches that start at the base of my skull, and are like tension headaches.
Also, severe muscle spasms in upper back and shoulder areas (both sides) that are not responding to muscle relaxers, exercise, massage, or ultra sound therapy.
Help! Need some advice!
Had an MRI and MRA about 3 weeks ago, that show no reason in the brain as to why I am having such bad headaches, there is no rhyme or reason to the episodes either.
They can happen in an instant and can go away quickly or linger for a day or two.
The disc is the Prestige artificial disc, and I am involved in a study group.
The doctor that did the surgery says that the pain I am experiencing is not from the disc itself, so he is no help.
I feel like my shoulder and the sides of my neck are constantly tensed up, and I can crack or pop my neck sometimes and that relieves the pressure, but some days, the pain is so intense, I just want to take something to make it all go away!
I do have an office job, but try to get up and walk around the office often, and I do exercise often, walking, SCUBA diving, light weight lifting.
Any suggestions would be great!
Thanks
I had a c5-6 Disc replacement in June 2012 from a work accident I had several months prior.
For the first two weeks after surgery I was not to bad but was on tablets, from then I started to notice some of the same stuff numbness tingling ect. I also had some other symptoms my arm would give way if I reached for something, headaches and migraines constant, more pain through my shoulder and even less sleep due to pain the dr had me back at work 3 weeks after surgery.
Right now I'm off work and my workers camp has stopped, the restrictions I have from the dr and the pain, migraines, no sleep makes it so I can't work. I'm trying to figure out something I can do from home as I refuse to go back to that surgeon who said I'm the only one preventing my recovery, the surgery was fine. However at our first meetings after surgery which one of my workers heard him say he could of used a bit bigger disc in but it was ok which denied later saying.
I started to think I was crazy as I knew what I could feel and also just after my injury I was told it was all in my head to then and Ended up having surgery. I ended up in hospital with depression after surgery some months later as I thought I was going crazy, but have now excepted I'm the only person that's knows what I can feel.
But after reading all the comments I'm realising there are others who have problems.
I've also had problems in my lower back as I can't lay flat due to my neck and I sleep in a recliner as I can't afford the bed I need, but when I need to go to the toilet through the night my lower back hurts like crazy but Drs just say it's muscles compensating but lately it has got worse and happens every time day or night.
I'm sick of being told its in my head. I have and do everything I'm told like exercises and stretches and keep weight off ect.
Just wish someone would listen. Sorry if it does not make sense it's getting me angry as I type.
But I will now follow it up more. Is there groups for people like us if not someone should create one. So we can all chat more.
For the first two weeks after surgery I was not to bad but was on tablets, from then I started to notice some of the same stuff numbness tingling ect. I also had some other symptoms my arm would give way if I reached for something, headaches and migraines constant, more pain through my shoulder and even less sleep due to pain the dr had me back at work 3 weeks after surgery.
Right now I'm off work and my workers camp has stopped, the restrictions I have from the dr and the pain, migraines, no sleep makes it so I can't work. I'm trying to figure out something I can do from home as I refuse to go back to that surgeon who said I'm the only one preventing my recovery, the surgery was fine. However at our first meetings after surgery which one of my workers heard him say he could of used a bit bigger disc in but it was ok which denied later saying.
I started to think I was crazy as I knew what I could feel and also just after my injury I was told it was all in my head to then and Ended up having surgery. I ended up in hospital with depression after surgery some months later as I thought I was going crazy, but have now excepted I'm the only person that's knows what I can feel.
But after reading all the comments I'm realising there are others who have problems.
I've also had problems in my lower back as I can't lay flat due to my neck and I sleep in a recliner as I can't afford the bed I need, but when I need to go to the toilet through the night my lower back hurts like crazy but Drs just say it's muscles compensating but lately it has got worse and happens every time day or night.
I'm sick of being told its in my head. I have and do everything I'm told like exercises and stretches and keep weight off ect.
Just wish someone would listen. Sorry if it does not make sense it's getting me angry as I type.
But I will now follow it up more. Is there groups for people like us if not someone should create one. So we can all chat more.
Year and half after surgery... Feel pretty good but have surprise headaches and muscle tension in neck. I have always be cautious about popping my neck and about get sick when I see others pop their neck. Slow stretches help tremendously and sleeping with my neck brace. I have found that I hurt more if I am leaning forward a lot or I sleep all curled up. Some of you might want to try sleeping with brace on. It keeps you putting your chin close to you chest. It might take a couple of days but I think you will see a difference.
On a follow up note. Had xrays done, cent find anything, and now my insurance is not wanting to pay for MRI that doctor says I need.
Help?
I just came across this group. I am getting ready to goto the doctor myself in about an hour. I had disk replacement surgery on my c5,c6,and c7 about two years ago. They also put a metal plate in to help with the healing. I too felt great after the surgery. Some side effects I did notice however was less motion of my neck from left to right, and a constant felling that my neck needed popped. I never have popped it due to concerns of what could happen, but all this I could live with. however as of 5 months ago... the headaches started coming back, starting at the base of the skull. Also muscle cramps on the right side of the front of my throat, and within the last few weeks the shooting pain, along with a rather large lump on the back left side of my neck has started. The lump seems to get better and then bad again, the shooting pain seems to happen if I do a combination of walking and turning my head in a certain direction. Please if anyone has the same problems and any info of what is going on.. email me. I'm not very trusting of the doctors in my area.
email... ***@****
I just came across this group. I am getting ready to goto the doctor myself in about an hour. I had disk replacement surgery on my c5,c6,and c7 about two years ago. They also put a metal plate in to help with the healing. I too felt great after the surgery. Some side effects I did notice however was less motion of my neck from left to right, and a constant felling that my neck needed popped. I never have popped it due to concerns of what could happen, but all this I could live with. however as of 5 months ago... the headaches started coming back, starting at the base of the skull. Also muscle cramps on the right side of the front of my throat, and within the last few weeks the shooting pain, along with a rather large lump on the back left side of my neck has started. The lump seems to get better and then bad again, the shooting pain seems to happen if I do a combination of walking and turning my head in a certain direction. Please if anyone has the same problems and any info of what is going on.. email me. I'm not very trusting of the doctors in my area.
email... ***@****
I have severe pain in my right arm and after trying physical therapy for 3 months had the surgery performed. My c6 was in pieces so the doctor replaced it with a cadaver and had fusion. Now 13 months later I have pain in my left bicep and elbow that varies in intensity. There are times that I have to have help getting my shirt off. My neck also hurts and the base of my skull. Waiting for MRI results.
I wish I read this forum before I proceeded. I was in so much pain prior to surgery I figure I had little to lose.
I had a cervical ADR on c5-c6 and a spinal fusion on the level below. Prior to surgery I had severe neck pain caused by DDD. I was told this operation would fix me up fine. Six weeks after surgery and I feel much worse than I did before I went in for surgery. I was told to wear soft collar and was given a sheet with some neck isometric exercises to perform everyday. I have been diligent on my rehab and have taken 6 weeks off from work. I see my surgeon for my first follow up.
The level of pain I'm in now and really it's different and much more intense pain has been greatly worried. I feel for all who are going through this process.
My ADR was the Pro C.
I will keep forum up to date as to what doctor says from here, I wasn't expecting 100% better but I certainly was not expecting worse. Perhaps it's still very early.
I had a cervical ADR on c5-c6 and a spinal fusion on the level below. Prior to surgery I had severe neck pain caused by DDD. I was told this operation would fix me up fine. Six weeks after surgery and I feel much worse than I did before I went in for surgery. I was told to wear soft collar and was given a sheet with some neck isometric exercises to perform everyday. I have been diligent on my rehab and have taken 6 weeks off from work. I see my surgeon for my first follow up.
The level of pain I'm in now and really it's different and much more intense pain has been greatly worried. I feel for all who are going through this process.
My ADR was the Pro C.
I will keep forum up to date as to what doctor says from here, I wasn't expecting 100% better but I certainly was not expecting worse. Perhaps it's still very early.
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