Fusion at c-5-6

[P.J.]

I had a disc removed between c5-6 in Sept. 2001. I am still in alot of pain and having trouble moving my head from side to side looking up or down. My x-rays and MRI both show everything is healing, my Dr. is now sending me to a pain management center for some kind of shots in my neck. I am very concerned about this and worried. I thought once i had the surgery done I'd be on my way to getting my life back to normal. I don't get a full nights rest everytime i roll over i wake up. Will i ever be pain free what about my ROM? this has been a very upsetting time for me. Now to top it all off my job is at risk they have told me that if i can't come back 100% then i no longer have a job with them. My job requires me to look up for long periods of time I am a smoke and fire tech. removing smoke and odor from burned homes. It also requires alot of heavey lifting. I am in a panic. any words of wisdom?
Thanks,
P.J.

[Dallen]

I was rear-ended by an 18-wheeler in March of 2001.  I, too, have had ACF of C5-6. However, I have 2 other ruptured discs in my neck. My surgery was done back in October 2001. The neurosurgeon who had done the work told me that I would be able to return to my "old" activities in about 3 months.  Well, that is not the case.  When I went back to see him, he told me that it could be as long as a year to feel better.  I suffer daily from pain in the entire neck area, shoulders and back, and 8 more months of pain in simply unacceptable.  My arms are usually number and tingle -- even to the point that I drop things.  At this point, I am so tired of the pain that I sometimes think about ending it.  And yes, I am on anti-depressants.  To make matters worse, it seems that I am always needing to "convince" everyone that I am in a lot of pain -- even my doctor.  My last conversation with them I was told that they prefer to see patients that come in, get fixed and then go away after the 6 month post-op exam.  I chose this physician because his statistics were the best I could find.  But now, I find that he conducts his business as "cookie-cutter surgery".  I am afraid that I will be looking for a new physician again.  I have been to 5 different doctors so far.  I truly emphasize with anyone who is in this situation.  The only thing I can say is . . . DON'T GIVE UP.  I use to dance and was very athletic, but now I can only walk slowly and for short distances.  I WILL beat this in time.  Can anyone give me any tips on researching a "good" doctor?  Also, can anyone tell me if they also deal the having to "convince" the medical people of their pain?  If so, how are you handling it?  Thanks for listening.  I will pray for all of you.

[mollymay]

I was in a accident over two years ago to my right arm area.  My shoulder was not very mobile without pain.  Then several months after dealing with the forearm and shoulder I discovered I have several levels of injury to my neck.  It seems C 3-4, 4-5, 5-6 and 7 are all involved, C 5-6 being the worst and warrant surgery due to the amount of pain I have.  I found out Feb 4, 2002 by a Utilization Board that I'm not a "good candidate" for neck surgery.  Now, I suppose, I must live with it.  Has anyone had this experience with this Board?  I never had the chance to discuss with my doctor (a neuro) the type of repair he may of done since my surgery was denied.  With hopes for the future, do you have any input on is fusion better or grafting?

Thank you, Mollymay

[Steveo]

I had a three level fusion ACF   C4 thru C7  Feb 2001.
One year post op I have lost some neck movement....No way can I now touch my ear to my shoulder. I have lost a small amount of range turning my head side to side. Looking up has been effected as well. I have no pain and regained some of the strength I had lost before surgery. The secret is to wear the neck brace... you will feel like shooting it to the moon. Do not drive, Do not lift more than a gallon of milk. The worst part is the first week after the surgery... you can not get comportable in any position to sleep. I found the only way to relax was in a recliner. I walked around alot to get exercise. Whatever you do not fall!!!!! Walk very carefully.

If you go to PT do not let them force your neck around Those guys are bone crushers.... Slow movements side to side work slower but have no pain.... I finally felt safe enough to drive after 6 or 7 weeks. Good luck, I will pray for you.

[beadweaver]

It seems to me that an awful lot of you are suffering post-op problems from having an ACF. I do not understand this at all. A little back ground here. As a child and teen I was severely beaten by my step-father, thrown down stairs, you name it. In 1959 we were violently rear-ended, 8 months pregnant, severe whiplash. In may 1960 the tie rods broke and we went off a mountain side. I had multiple injuries of every kind. For years I suffered from severe headaches, vomiting for days on end, going to ER for demerol & etc. In 1988 I went to a neuro because of a fall where my head got banged. He discovered old neck fractures and decided it was the cause of all ( most) of my headaches because of degeneration. All those years doctors told me it was just migraines, all in my head, needed a Psych. eval. Been there, done that.Concllusion, the neuro performed a myelogram and informed me he could get rid of my headaches, I said if he didn't that I would. My way was permanent. Did ACF next am and when I woke up that evening I felt WONDERFUL! Very little pain. Needless to say I was thrilled. I have several friends who had cerv.fusions and had nothing but problems, one even has a permanent trach because of poor surgery. several had to go back in the hosp., more surg. but, they all had ortho surgeons. Could this have been the diff. My Dr. was very strict, none of this lifting a gal. of milk for 6 weeks. I could go for walks and that was it. Light housework, dusting, washing dishes, no laundry, vacuuming. I was not allowed near a car except to see him and go straight home. My surg. was 1/3/89, it was 3rd march before I was allowed to go 20 miles with a 15 min. break halfway. I still have no problems,some limitation with ROM head and neck, or If I carry heavy bags by the handles or hanging . I only use paper bags that I can carry in my arms. I had my last shot for pain less than 48 hours post-op, went to pills and went home 3rd day post-op. Was told to do nothing, also said I could engage in intercourse as long as I did not swing from chandeliers and to call him if I did.
Maybe some of you need a neuro surgeon instead of ortho and maybe the Dr. should be a little stricter, and maybe some of you need to be a little more disciplined and tolerant in your limitations, if something hurts me more than once I don't do that again. Simple!

[micginger]

I had an anterior cervical fusion at C5-6 on May 3,2002. I have had pain from day one after my surgery.  My doctor kept saying it is "muscles".  I returned to work 5 months later.  The doctor told me to come back in 2 months after returning to work if I was still hurting.  Two months later, no progress.  I had a MRI the Friday before Christmas and everything is fine according to the doctor.  Two weeks later, his office calls and says he believes I have damaged nerves in my neck.  After almost 10 months of pain which has progressed to down my right arm and now my right leg, I am at my wits end.  I have pain down between my shoulders and in the neck that will bring me to my knees.  My whole life as been changed because of this.  I am now on the search for a neurologist who I hope can help relieve this pain. For me, I wish I could just see one day without pain.  I hope everything goes better for you.

[holcode]

I am scheduled for a 3 level anterior cervical fusion in several weeks (there is considerable weakness in my right arm and shoulder; the pain is slight in my right arm).  The neurosurgeon will be using titanium plates. Could any of you provide me with insight as to how much range of motion I might be losing in my neck, i.e. is the ability to tilt the head from side to side, turn to the left and right, look downward or upward significantly lessened?  I was told by my physician there would be some loss of motion but I was aware this could go on for months and months before things got better.  Thank you.