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.

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-JT]

It's normal to have some degree of pain post-op, but hopefully it should improve as time goes by. Usually we tell our patients that they shouldn't lift anything heavier than a gallon of milk for 4-6 weeks after surgery until their followup appointment. If everything looks like it's healing, then you should be able to slowly return to your baseline status. As every patient is different, it's hard to predict the outcome of each person. I understand how frustrated you must be about your slower-than-anticipated recovery. Physical therapy to help improve your ROM as well as pain management with ibuprofen, muscle relaxants or injections as needed can all help your recovery along. Good luck.

[Nickmbb]

About your job...have you checked into your company to see if you have long term disability. If you already had an operation in your neck, you should be able to get on it, if you can not do what your job requires. Also, after an operation like you stated, you may want to rethink if your present job is one you want to continue, as it sounds that it has the potential of causing your neck more harm.

[THEGADGETMAN]

GET MORE OPINIONS FROM OTHER SURGEONS THAT ARE SPINE SPECIALISTS ONLY. THE DR. WHO DID YOUR SURGERY MIGHT HAVE SCREWED-UP, HE'S ONLY HUMAN. HE ALSO MIGHT HAVE MIS-DIAGNOSED YOU FROM THE BEGINNING. DON'T QUIT. KEEP SEARCHING FOR HELP.

GOOD LUCK
***@****

[snowgoer]

PJ, I also had my C5-6 fused in June 01, and my neck was extremely stiff and sore for several months afterwards. I could barely move my head in any direction either. My doc explained that when they insert the bone graft (you didn't say if this was your case), they have to put a larger size in than they remove since during the process of healing you end up losing some height of the graft. In doing so, the ligaments on both sides of your neck become stretched and this is where the pain comes from. Probably some muscle spasms going on too. I was doubtful I would ever feel normal again, but am happy to say that I now have almost full ROM, and only a little soreness now. Accupuncture worked for me, along with daily gentle stretching. Maybe PT would be an option for you, once you are cleared medically that everything is healing as it should. Good luck with your recovery and in your job situation.

[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.

[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.

[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!

[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.

[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

[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.

[P.J.]

Hello everyone, and thank you for all your comments. I am now on my way to having a cervical facet nerve block, the thing that has me so worried is they say it may not help and it could make things worse, but I want to be pain free so bad that i am willing to take this risk...I can't look up at all thats hurts me really bad..tilting my head to the left orright hurts as well....looking down hurts but feels good at the same time if that makes any sense at all... I too feel like knowone believes I'm still in pain, I was hurt on the job and they have informed me that i no longer have a job with them as my job requires me to look up using an extention pole to clean smoke off cielings and walls so they will not hold this job for me...cuz they know that I have lost some of my ROM...very depressing....To top it all off I am a newly wed. my husband has been an angel, I thank God everyday for him....I did use the bone bank and I had a neuro dr. do the surgery he has been very good to me, he has had meetings with my case manager from workers comp. they tried to get him to let me go back to work, but he stood up to them and said NO not til I know she's not going to hurt herself by doing this very painful even when your healthy job. So feel he is doing everything he can for me...I told him how i felt that knowone believed me he just smiled and said he did believe me and would do what he could...but comp let this go on for a while b4 they approved the surgery so I may have perm. damage to the nerves...I sure hope this block helpd has anyone had this done I'm a lil spooked about it all.....Thank you all for your thoughts and comments it helps to know i'm not alone...:)

[Tony31]

I have tried to post a question here for a while now and have been unable so I am breaking the rules here...SORRY..I had a Fusion done 3 years ago, C5-C6 by an injury that was caused at work. The experience can only be understood by others with the similiar symptoms and surgery. Muscle Spasms in the right upper back that drive one crazy. Almost constant neck stiffness and finally right arm pain that is nearly excruciating.  After surgery, my recovery was faster than what I thought it would be but never really got rid of the pain in my back or the neck stiffness. Although it was lessened by the surgery but never really gone. About 6 months ago, I again started having right arm pain and numbness and the pain in the back area was getting worse. After another MRI, another ruptured disc was found ! C3-C4 UGHHHH ! According to the MRI, the disc is calcified meaning that it has been ruptured for some time. For the first time in my life, I am at a standstill and what I am curious about is LONG TERM DISABILITY. This is going to be our problem it seems for the rest of our lives and finally, I am willing to accept that. My question....Can we get LONG TERM DISABILITY and does anyone know where to start with this.  I would appreciate any help I can get.

[able]

i've read alot of different stories hear... Question how bad was the pain before your fusions?  I've had 2 rounds of physical therapy with no good results, pain pychology only gives me what I already know from Yoga classes years ago.. been in almost constant pain with ANY and ALL attempts of activity.  Herniated c3-4,c4-5, bulges at c5-6,c6-7, severe degenerative changes to both disks and vertebraes at c4,c5,c6, spinal cord canal narrowing.  Just went to see a neuro this a.m.  says due to pain and severe degenerative diease to the neck, I could not would benefit by having him fuse c4,5,and 6.. 70% sucess rate....questions...what was the sucess rate of fusions to all that has had this done given at....with neurosurgeon not ortho....could use stories in excess in order for a sound decision to be made, just the thought of decreased pain is almost enough to gamble with... living on muscle relaxers isn't as cracked up as it would seem to be..!!!!!!!!!!!!

[able]

i've read alot of different stories hear... Question how bad was the pain before your fusions?  I've had 2 rounds of physical therapy with no good results, pain pychology only gives me what I already know from Yoga classes years ago.. been in almost constant pain with ANY and ALL attempts of activity.  Herniated c3-4,c4-5, bulges at c5-6,c6-7, severe degenerative changes to both disks and vertebraes at c4,c5,c6, spinal cord canal narrowing.  Just went to see a neuro this a.m.  says due to pain and severe degenerative diease to the neck, I could not would benefit by having him fuse c4,5,and 6.. 70% sucess rate....questions...what was the sucess rate of fusions to all that has had this done given at....with neurosurgeon not ortho....could use stories in excess in order for a sound decision to be made, just the thought of decreased pain is almost enough to gamble with... living on muscle relaxers isn't as cracked up as it would seem to be..!!!!!!!!!!!!

[peppermint pattie]

Hi Everyone! I had 4 cervical fusions and a titanium plate in Jan. 2000. I went back to work only 3 months after surgery. I worked for one full year until I collapsed. I started getting blurred vision, severe constant headaches, and left shoulder and arm numbness and pain. The doctors discovered that my body was rejecting the titanium plate and screws that held it in. The infection was so bad that it was going into my brain and down the left side of my neck, into my heart. It almost killed me. They tried to stop the infection, but now it is 5 months later, and the neurosurgeons say that they can not operate on me again. Because it could kill me when they open up my neck, it would make the infection spread. So, all they can do for me is send me to pain and headache management. Of course, I have to wait over a month to get an appointment, because they are so booked up. I could literally die waiting just to see the Pain and Headache Management doctors. So, I have to go out on permanent Disability Retirement at the age of 45, and sit at home waiting for this infection to kill me. The pain is almost unbearable each day! I have a low quality of life, because I am constantly on pain medication. I try not to take it, and just live with the pain, until it becomes unbearable.
Now I just put it into GOD's Hands! I know that I was not in an accident to cause this injury. It was caused by my job at the University of Delaware, where I answered over 300 phone calls a day for 5 years, holding the phone with my neck. Never hold the phone with your neck! I could be the poster child for this problem. I only hope and Pray that GOD will heal me from this!

[Dallen]

I've just reread everyone's comments.  The similarities of symptoms and consequences are amazing.  In response to the question of Long Term Disability.  I am currently collecting long term disability benefits through the company I work(ed) for. You might want to check with them. Also, you can check with Social Security / Disability.  However, I was told that I had to wait a year after my doctor determines that I have a significant disability.  I thank God that I was able to get this benefit though my job. I have these benefits for up to a year.  I am also continuing my health care benefits through COBRA.  I am only 39 years old and I feel like my life has been put into cold storage.  My ACF surgery was in October of 2000 but I am still having a lot of pain.  My doctor however does not seem to be very interested.  In fact, his nurse told me that they prefer patients who get healed the first time and don't come back.  I thought that was a pretty lousy thing to say.  So, I am sending him a letter outlining my concerns and, in a way, begging for help.  On top of everything else I just got a letter from my job saying that they only want me back if I am 100 percent cured.  I need to find the rainbow.  I wish the best to all of you.

[able]

I read your posting, I to am 39 yrs-old and on long-term disability.......depending on your policy with your work,,,it should cover you up to 18months, not one year...cobra serve???I would check to see if your work has a retirement plan....My did and my long term lasts 18 months and if the doctor says I cant work after that period doing any job within my restricstions, the policy for long term disability has to carry me until ssd picks up........also I can not be cobra served until the end of the year when my long term expires...so they have listed my health insurance plan under a retirement group and pay a fraction of the cost it would be if I was cobra served!!!!

[Stoic]

Have read these comments with great interest. I had a discectomy of C4-5 and C5-6. A neurosurgeon did the surgery. After many yeears of neck pain, countless sessions of physical therapy, meds and injections, I am happy that I had this done. I had to fight for it to be done. I had to keep pushing for referrals until I found someone willing to do it. The surgeon did a fusion with donor bone and also used titanium plates. As I stated, I do not regret having this done.

However, I have had wide variance in heart rate and blood pressure ever since, a few episodes o presyncope..and within the past week have been found to have neuralgia. This is very painful. I was wondering if any of you experianced this or know of anyone who experianced this post surgically.

[Sannarae]

I had stiff neck for 3 weeks. Following the flu and a boute with Brochitis I woke up with severe pain in my neck and down the back of my left arm.  Went to dr.s he put me on Naproxen and Flexeril. After 3 days pain was much worse went to ER. Meds were changed to Vallum and Darvocet. Still no pain relief.  Finally had MRI which showed....: "Large left lateral disc herniation at C5/C6 causing mass effect on spinal cord and compromising the left neuroforamina.  Also Degenerative Disc disease is suspected at C4/C5 and T2/T3 levels."
After reading this the radiologist called me and said I needed to see a neuro surgeon right away. My PCP doctor called and said DO NOT go to Physical Therapy which she had ordered earlier that day before the MRI was done. I am still in severe pain. I now have pain below the elbow and sometimes into my forearm. Some tingling but just a little in my elbow and wrist. Pain sometimes into index finger and thumb.  getting very little sleep, not eating much, . I am still trying to work at my desk job as a secretary. I am taking Vicodin every 4-6 hours but it only eases the pain a little bit for about 1-2 hours. I take the flexeril with the vicodin at night. I do not use the other meds anymore as they do not help.  I use a heating pad constantly on low setting. My question is why would I no longer be a canidate for PT? Is this a serious type of disc herniation? Whay do you think my options are? I can't get into see the neurosurgen until next week. Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. Good luck to you all.

[Dallen]

I am having physical therapy now (4 months after the surgery on C5, C6).  They PT primarily focuses on the shoulder areas, because any pressure on the neck itself causes severe pain. I did find it useful for the "periphery" pain in the shoulders and back, but it does nothing for the neck pain. Some doctors are hesitant to recommend pt since, if done incorrectly can damage the area more.  I had one PT who wanted to put me into traction.  My advice - Just say NO.  That was extremely painful and had been totally incapacitated for 2 whole weeks. My next time to see the neurosurgeon is in 2 weeks.  Because he is not the most approachable person I've met, I decided to write a letter to prepare him for the next appointment. I listed all of my concerns.  I am hopeful that seeing it in writing will prompt more interest in getting me back to normal (whatever that is!).  I would really like to thank all of you for your comments. This may sound weird, but because of your comments, I don't feel so alone. I pray that all will find relief soon.  Thanks for talking.

[katiebug]

I recently had a MRI done on brain and cervical spine d/t muscle twitching and aching arms with cold hands and some spasticity of muscles. The tests on the brain came out normal ruling out MS but the cervical test show degenerative osteoarthritis of the C5,6,7 with cervical spondylosis myelopathy causing 50% spinal cord compression. my neurosurgeon wanted to do surgery in 3 weeks but i'm putting it off until I get a second opinion. I'm now having more coldness of my hands, same amount of muscle twitching, increased pain in my joints of the neck with a little lightheadedness at times. Also the bottom of my left foot contiually is sore.  Anyone else heard of all of this or had anything similar? I fell off my porch on ice 8 years ago (4feet high directly on my thoracic spine) and I believe this is how all this started but my doctor won't really confirm this. Is surgery the only way out of this?

[MaBelle]

Hi there!

Last May, I had cervical disc fusion of levels C5-6 & C6-7 using a bone graft from my hip.  The surgeon also used a titanium plate and screws.  For 2 1/2 months after healing I was painfree and returned to work full time.  Then in September, I started having the same symptoms again with neck, arms and upper back pain.  This is still ongoing and I am considering surgery again but seeing another neurosurgeon this week for a second opinion first.  I have read your posts and see conflicting stories of what you were told to do or not to do while recovering.  As far as lifting, doing light housework and this was never discussed with me at all after the surgery.  Of course, with all the pain I didnt do much for at least 3-4 weeks but then did as I felt.  The pain mgmt doc is telling me that because I started doing some exercises which was approved by my doc that I messed up the fusion.  My latest MRI shows that level c6-7 didnt fuse and now C3-4 needs to be fused.  My question is why are there so many doctors telling their patients didnt information?  You would think it would be the same across the board.  I would like to say I find this forum very informative.

Thanks,
Judi

[Dallen]

Hello all.  I am afraid that my rollercoaster ride has dipped to its lowest point yet.  I am feeling very hopeless.  I saw the neurosurgeon on Monday.  Even after pleading, he has abandoned me.  His only comment is that he can't give me a new neck.  When I asked if this is the way I will always be, he stated he didn't know.  It could get better, or not.  He has placed permanent work restrictions on me that pretty much rules out just about any job. Basically, the only thing I can do without restrictions is breathe. I can't give up hope.  I am currently researching a spine clinic in California that takes patients who have been told there is nothing more to be done.  I know I am probably grasping at straws, but I don't know what else to do.  In the meantime, I am going to see a Pain Management Clinic.  I've seen this doctor before and seemed to be a compassionate doctor.  However, I am doubtful that relearning how to breathe and meditate will help.  It just seems horrible that so many of us have to learn to deal with the pain for the rest of our lives.  I know people in that situation and their lives are very limited. I do NOT want to be that way.  Please excuse the whining.  I am still trying to deal with the shock.  Best of luck to all of you.

[able]

my simpathy goes out to you.  whining? no it sounds alot like fustration to me.   Everyday I try to dream up a way to go back to what I used to be, physical activities i should say.  I am about to try a round of acupuncture here soon, hopefully I can get some relief from the pain. do not want to have surgery at this time..but what other options are there???????Pain management, huh,,,, I've learned all of this from 2  years of yoga, solution???? I struggle everyday with this, expecially the days the pain is intense....I keep having to go deeper into myself to find new founded strength which is exhausting in its self to do. Find some less physically demanding hobbies and activities to do to pass the time is what I ve been told to do..  Goodluck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!