Headaches and pain following anterior cervical discectomy.

[Sugar Fairy]

I am 2 years post-op anterior cervical discectomy with fusion to relieve compression on spinal cord at c5/c6 level.  Had lots of pain and progressive leg weakness, right arm pain, and unable to write + loss of balance.  I have had 18 months of constant neck pain since the surgery, worse in the night and on wakening.  Every morning waking with severe headache and pain radiating from back of head to over eyes and sometimes down one side of face. This  feels like a combination of nerve pain and a peculiar sensation, as if the bones at the back of my neck are being stretched from the inside.
Finally, after 18 months, the stretching pain has eased but I still have the headaches 2-3 times a week.  On my 2 year check with the Neurosurgeon he said the pain could have been due to the titanium cage having been too big and that my pain should continue to improve, or it is just that my body has taken longer to adjust to surgery.
I also still have difficulty swallowing and have always felt that something is pressing against my throat, and I have a weak voice, my arm pain is worse than before the surgery.  My legs are now stronger and the neck pain I had prior to the surgery has gone.
Do you think these headaches will go and the swallowing improve.  If not do I have any other options.  I was realistic about the surgery and did not expect miracles after having had this problem for over 24 years (now 48), but I am finding the pain so debilitating.  I have a desk job which does aggravate the symptoms. Also, will there be any long-term effects of the cage being too big.

Thank you

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

The main reason for this type of surgery is to prevent further neurological disability, which it seems was sucessful in your case. Obviously it would be worse if you were paralyzed etc.

It does not necessarily treat the pain though, and it seems like you now have a chronic headache disorder which may be best managed by a headache neurologist with a medication both ot prevent headaches and ones to treat exacerbations. Getting specific neck physical therapy in order to improve muscle tensiona and posture id s important also.

THere can be residual disc fragments after surgery which can press on the esphogus and cause difficulty swallowing - I dont know if your surgeon exlcuded this by doing a postop MRI.

Its hard to comment on the cage without knowing more detaiols about your specific case.

Good luck

[eduardo]

I had cervical fusion C2-C6, March 2005 for pain on left side, headaches and numbness and tingling and other neurological problems.  Was feeling pretty good after the surgery, went through some PT, but quit because I can do the same stretching at home, and I really didn't think it was doing me any good. About 2 months ago the pain has returned on my right side and having severe pain running down back and arm. Few days ago, right arm has started to have uncontrollable tremors.  I have trouble doing anything with my right arm, and I am right handed.  Went back to doctor and took x-rays and tells me everything looks good with surgery.  They put me a 14 day run of steroids, but that has not done anything.  I wish I never had the surgery done.  I am in more pain now than I was before and cannot get any relief from anyone.  Orthopedic surgeon thinks I should be feeling fine, my general doctor won't do anything because he doesn't want to step on the Orthos toes.  Cannot get any relief.  If anyone out there is thinking of having this done make sure you talk to your doctor about the "WHAT IFS", like if this does not work.  They tell you that you'll be good as new and that is definitle not the case.  Be careful, because it may end up making you worse.

[GlennsBackPains]

This is interesting to know.  I will be having a Cervical Discectomy Fusion of the c3-c6 in a few weeks.  I feel confident about the process, but easy for me to say, all I am feeling now are the nerve pains in my neck, upper back, shoulders and arms, and all the aches that go along with the pains so any hope for relief sounds good to me.  My surgery is beng done by a neurosurgeon.  I was told that this type of surgeon is what I need, not an orthopedic surgeon, because it is dealing with multiple compressions on my spinal cord.  I hope I am headed down the right path.  I am only 37 years old.

Eduardo, it sounds like you had what I am going to have.  I am curious  to know if you had any other pre-exisiting health conditions...  I am considered obese, and that seems to be my main concern going into and coming out of surgery and recovery/therapy.  Care to share anymore?  Email me at ***@****  Thanks and hope your pains get resolved!!

[Sugar Fairy]

I had this surgery (ACDF) for severe compression on spinal cord with a prognosis of continued deterioration leading to inability to walk etc, probably within 3 years.  I was 46.  I took 3 months to consider the surgery and do my homework.  At the end of the day there really was no choice for me.  I have had quite a few problems, so I would advise anyone having this surgery to consider it as a last resort and when all else has failed.  Then go for it with a positive but realistic approach.  Whatever your choice I wish you well.

[Dreed32001]

I am 37 and have been told by my neurosurgeon that he is recommending that I have a disc replacement/fusion in my lumbar. My problem is that for the past 4 mos I have been experiencing ever growing pain in my upper left leg.  What started out as an irritation has grown into needing heavy medication just to function. (900 mg neurontin 3xday and 10/500 hydrocodone 3xday, then 100/650 darvocet between doses).  The only explanation I have been able to get so far is that of degeneration.  The pain in my leg is currently intense burning, stabbing, and muscle soreness. None of which goes below the knee.  I am unsure what kind of alternative treatments I need to be asking about, besides heavy medication.

[Dreed32001]

Some other things that I forgot to add about my condition are that my upper left leg is hypersensitive and constant lowere back pain/discomfort.  Thank you for listening.  Any suggestions or comments about what I should be looking for or asking about would be greatly appreciated.

[Sugar Fairy]

I assume that you have had an MRI scan and not just an x-ray to show degenerative changes.  If not I think you would be advised to have one as they show a greater degree of accuracy as regards nerve compression etc.  I think you then need some clarification from your neurosurgeon as to the extent of the damage.  If you do not have spinal cord compression then Physiotherapy combined with appropriate medication can prove very effective. There are medications specifically for NERVE pain that are very effective Gabapentin/Pregablin? These are primarily anti-convulsants so they do have a sedative effect and you have to build up dose gradually. Acupuncture can help also for pain relief.  I would discuss with your Dr and then try conservative methods first before embarking on the surgical root unless there are symptoms showing spinal cord compression, which is a different ballgame altogether and then surgery unfortunately is sometimes your only alternative, depending on severity of symptoms.

I hope this is of some use to you.  I speak from having such problems for over 20 years.  I have worked in the medical profession for a long time and find Drs are generally quite bad at explaining anything to patients, physiotherapists are a much better source of information and will often take the time to explain in english what is going on.  

I hope you are pain free soon.

[nataraj]

Hello!
I had anterior cervical fusion on nov 1st 2005 on C4-C5,C5-C6 disks. My neouro surgeon replaced the heriniated discs with a bone graft from bone bank. Its been three and half months now. The pain I had before the surgery was gone. But my right arm is still weak and getting numbness in my right side face and right leg. Couple of weeks ago I made a mistake of lifting my nephew who is 10 yrs old. He fractured his leg and I forgot about my surgery and lifted him. I am worried because of that something would have happened to the neck. Is there any ideas when this numbness and weakness will go and when can I resume to my regular activities like lifting a carry on lugguage and putting it in a air line cabin etc., for that matter lifting anything more than 10 pounds.. Please advice.

Thanks

[lindy47]

I had this surgery on 2/27/2006.  I was out and about two days later, the only problem I seem to have is in my throat (swallowing & choking at night).  I have some pain in one shoulder but not severe.  Prior to surgery I was experiencing a lot of neck and arm pain (severe arm pain felt like something was squeezing my muscles really hard).  I had a lot of bone spurs removed and had C-5/6 through C-6/7 and a bone graft.

I like reading your posts.

[FibroFogger]

I ruptured a disc and had a C5-6 anterior fusion in January 2005.  Shortly thereafter, I started having pain throughout my body.  My lower legs have major edema (consistently 11-17+ on an inflammation test where <3 is normal) and I developed red star or snowflake patterns on my lower legs that are painful to touch.  Off to the side of both elbows and knees are trigger points for pain.  After testing by many specialists for rheumatoid arthritis, ms, lupus and other diseases, my diagnosis is fibromyalgia.  Now, I can take one step forward, but the succeeding steps make my legs feel heavier and heavier, almost like there is lead in each leg, and after about four or five steps I cannot pick my legs up to move, and I freeze in place in pain.  I can go down stairs, but cannot even go up two or more stairs.  Also, when I am motionless, anything pressing on my left leg from my thigh to my hip (either from the top or bottom, such as a bed or a chair) causes me extreme pain.  When I stand for more than a couple of minutes, the same thing happens in my left leg.  In other words, I can't move or sit or stand, and I feel like I am between a rock and a hard place.  I take Neurontin, Nortriptylene, Trazadone, pain killers and muscle relaxers for my pain.  I go to physical therapy in a warm pool three times a week.  I can barely make it from my car to the supermarket, where I need an electric scooter to get around the store.  I am in the process of purchasing an electric scooter and am nearly totally disabled and almost housebound.  If my neurosurgeon had taken a better history, he would have found out that I suffered migraines, had irritable bowel syndrome and had TMJ surgery, all precursors to fibromyalgia (which I did not know).

I have two questions:  (1) Should my neurosurgeon have taken a better history and told me I was in a high-risk category for fibromyalgia secondary to the trauma of a fusion?  (2) Are there people that have the same symptoms as I do and is there anything else I can do to ease my pain?

Thank you for listening.

[stevie10959]

i had cervical discectomy for c4-6 with metal plate & fusion on 1/23/06 and feel worse than I did before the surgery..I also have fibromyalgia but was diagnoiced 5years ago with it...It does not feel any different since my suregey however it is possible the trauma of your surgery brought out the fibro....This is usually do to accidents and body trauma which causes fibro..I take muscle relaxers for the fibro but can find no help for the neck pain...Have been on vicodin for 1 1/2years prior to surgery and now have high liver enzymes so was perscribed straight codiene which also barley takes the edge off my pain. Any suggestions anything without tylenol in it.

[wapy1]

i had anterior cervical fusion on C5 and C6 just 3 months ago .  I had a herniated disk.  The injury was years ago and I suffered from bouts of neck pain and periodic hand numbing.  However, 3 months after surgery - even tho the hand numbing has stopped, I have lots of pain in-between my shoulder blades, and recently my legs are really uncomfortable.  Anyone else have this?  What is up with the legs?

[dlml]

I had a C5-6 fusion and plating on March 13. I have degenerative disc disease and did not know it until I was involved in a MVA with the proverbial whiplash injury.  I had severe headaches, neck pain and  interscapular pain.  Since the surgery, I have a relief of the pain so far and am hopeful that this will continue. However, I cannot swallow anything but liquids.  I am wondering how long this might last? Is this temporary due to swelling of the esphogus?  Has anyone else experienced this and how long until you could eat a regular diet?

[dragon64]

Had c-4 to c-5 ACD w/fusion and hardware JAN 19 2006.  I do have headaches now that were not there before.  My neck pain isn't stabbing anymore, it's just a soreness feeling.  My reason for the surgery was to prevent paralysis.  The disk was hitting my spinal cord.  I still have numbness in my arms, but not as bad as before.  How long before I feel better is my question?

[spokenfor]

After reading everyone's comments I'm freaked. I had ACDwF last November. Everything seemed to be going extremely well until this past weekend. I have no idea if it is related, however over the weekend, the glands under my neck become swollen and I begun to run a low grade fever. Physically I was feeling fine until I layed down Monday night. I noticed discomfort once again in my neck. As of today the pain has increased and is now back in my shoulder and the top part of my arm.

Before surgery, the one thing my neurosurgern couldn't explain was the fact that the nerve damage (and spurs) were on the left side yet all my neck/shoulder/arm pain was on the right. ???  Prior to surgery xrays and MRIs of my neck and shoulder showed no issues with the right side. The right side is where the pain has returned.

I'm not sure if the pain is a result of increased activity or if it stems for other issues. I'm honestly sure sure if I'm up to starting the doctor and xray thing back up to only be told the xrays look fine. Pain meds have always been a last resort for me because I am in alcohol recovery and no better than to tempt fate. However the thoughts of living once again in the pain I was in 24/7 prior to surgery seems even less of an option.

I guess my question is has anyone done okay after surgery to later have the pain return and then the pain leave again?

Is it worth going back to the doctor to be told all has been done or could something else be going on? Which obvious I wouldn't know without returning to the doctor ...

[mimi chirodoc]

I had my cervical fusion Aug 2005 with a titanium plate over C3-4-5.   I had an injury March 2004.  My workers comp. wouldn't okay my surgery for 1 1/2 yrs.  I laid on the couch and drank for pain control.  No one believed I was injured.  I paid for most of my care for over a year.  Pre and Post op care consists of Chiropractic Adjustments, Acupuncture, Physical Therapy and Deep tissue massages (not soft feel good massages).  I was about 8-10 weeks post-op went I begged my Chiropractor to take x-rays and lightly adjust my neck.  It felt great!!  He was so careful.  It helped my cut down on my spasms and pain so I was able to decrease my drinking and pain pills alot.  I am a Chiropractor and Haven't been able to work at anything for over 2 years.  I've been in PT 7 months. It helps but it shifts my shouder and back causing deep spasms and pain.  So I get adjusted 1-3 times a week (as needed) and Deep massage. This helps me get back into PT and the cycle continues.  My deep pain comes and goes with increasing PT weights or repetitions.  My Phsysical Therapist says I'm very slow to progress due to the delay in surgery  and set backs in PT. The surgery was a success, the horrible deep pain I'm sure you guys felt was gone -even in recovery I could tell I was better.  My left shoulder and back continue to be extremely week.  I can't lift a 5 pound weight! (Rats!)  They're going to release me back to full time work.  I can't sit up right for the day, I have to lay down 2-4 hrs alost every day.  I don't know what else to do!?  I'm better but very slow to have any prgress.  Any suggestions?  Thanks

[rafester45]

Apparently my stroke like symptoms I had on December 25th, 2005 were not stroke symptoms at all. After three months of tests they found that an old injury to my neck was causing my multiple symtoms such as SEVERE headaches,numbness to my left side of my body, other symptoms such as memory loss and severe blurred vision. Also my left arm seemed like it was asleep. I had my surgery on April 10th 2006. Which consisted of two removed disks, two cadaver bone implants,six screws and a plate that covers c-5 through c-7. I was off work for nine weeks and put to light duty there after lifting no more than 20 lbs. My post surgery symptoms have improved greatly, after having some doubt as to the success of my surgery, I have found that I may be one of the fortunate ones. I am back to work at a sheet metal shop pretending to be on light duty but finding myself able to do most all the normal things I used to do. I know everyone's situation is unique. I had severe bone spurs and almost every time I feel like I might regret what I had done,all I need to do is the stretching exercises that my therapists taught me. I feel better in no time. So don't lay there and get bound up! Just get up and do something to get back to normal. My situation has done nothing but improve! GOOD LUCK
               Rafe from UTAH!

[rafester45]

Apparently my stroke like symptoms I had on December 25th, 2005 were not stroke symptoms at all. After three months of tests they found that an old injury to my neck was causing my multiple symtoms such as SEVERE headaches,numbness to my left side of my body, other symptoms such as memory loss and severe blurred vision. Also my left arm seemed like it was asleep. I had my surgery on April 10th 2006. Which consisted of two removed disks, two cadaver bone implants,six screws and a plate that covers c-5 through c-7. I was off work for nine weeks and put to light duty there after lifting no more than 20 lbs. My post surgery symptoms have improved greatly, after having some doubt as to the success of my surgery, I have found that I may be one of the fortunate ones. I am back to work at a sheet metal shop pretending to be on light duty but finding myself able to do most all the normal things I used to do. I know everyone's situation is unique. I had severe bone spurs and almost every time I feel like I might regret what I had done,all I need to do is the stretching exercises that my therapists taught me. I feel better in no time. So don't lay there and get bound up! Just get up and do something to get back to normal. My situation has done nothing but improve! GOOD LUCK
               Rafe from UTAH!

[jcverive]

EVERY person considering ANY type of spine surgery should be told of the possible consequences involving the nervous system. Although most of us tend to worry about possible damage to the spinal cord during such surgeries, the likelihood of such damage is low due to the amount of protection mother nature provides.  However, it's much more likely that there will be trauma to the nerves exiting the spinal cord through the openings between the vertebrae.   In the head and neck region (cervical vertebrae), trauma to sensory nerves is likely to result in long-lasting pain, numbness, and other discomfort to the head, neck, shoulders, or even arms.  These neuropathies can often be treated well with anti-depressants, anti-seizure meds, and some of the newer meds for diabetic or post-herpetic (shingles) pain.  Elavil, Tegretol, Klonopin, baclofen, Neurontin, Lyrica, and Cymbalta come to mind, but there are many others.  It may take substantial trial and error to find something that works, and it may be necessary to cycle through various meds to ward off the  tendenccy of drugs to lose effectiveness over time, but don't give up.  Insist that your doctor treat your pain as the very real problem that it is, and do not be afraid to ask for narcotics if they help with the pain.  Fentanyl patches along with oral codone preparations (for breakthrough pain) can often make constant pain much less difficult to bear.

[rjmkj]

I had a Ant. C5-6 Discectomy/fusion a year and a half ago, after numbness/tingling in both hands and fingers and pretty bad neck pain. I'm a nurse, so not feeling my hands was very hard at work, couldn't start IV's, and ended up getting stuck by a dirty needle one night without even knowing it... so I finally decided to have surgery. The numbness and tingling were gone immediately, the neck pain was better. Things were slow to heal, but better for about a year, then I noticed the neck pain returned slowly, down my shoulders a bit, intermitently. Then I was in a very mild car accident about 5 weeks ago, and gradually I've regained numb and tingling hands and fingers again. Not that I've even been back to the doctor, accept the eval the night of the accident, but I don't want surgery again, the thought of going through that long recovery again. I had forgotten until reading everyone's accounts about the shoulder blade pain, the trouble swallowing for so long, etc. I feel lucky to have had such an easy time, and it still seemed so miserable as it was! A fusion can really be messed up by the slightest little bump, my car accident was hardly even a tap, and here I go again. I'll just keep living with this until I can't stand it I guess, or my neck is too painful. I also have a new baby at home, and I don't want to miss out on taking care of him for a month or more, because picking him up would be out of the question after surgery, and I don't know who I would get to help while my husband was at work for a month.

[still hurtin]

I would like to talk to someone that had went throught this before I had. C-4,5 and c-6,7 Had the ACD w/f. The First one in Jan,2000 Then again in Oct,03 .I am still having severe back and neck pain on more days than not, When I sit or stand for a period of time my back pain and my neck feel like there on fire.The numbness in my hands is still there on most days and sleep forget about it. I get about 3-4 hours a night if I'm lucky just no way to get comfortable. And after 3 years I have tried everything. What I'm wondering is does it ever stop. or get easier.

[dml50]

Hi, boy I thought I was the only one with these miserable headaches and pain since my anterior discectomy and fusion of c5-6/6-7 with bone grafts in fall of 2003.  The headaches are dibilitating and no meds seem to help.  I also have degenerative disease and was found after a MVA.  My lumbar l3-4/4-5/s1 are all damaged and or bulging.  I have an unexplained burning stabbing pain now off to the right of L5 and burning pain 1/2 down the right leg.  I am trying facet joint injections, they don't seem to have any effect on the pain.  I don't know if injections of steroids into the cervical fused areas would help, does anyone know?  I don't want to be doped up on narcotics, I have a very sensitive affect with meds.  With my work I need to function and that just is not happening lately.  I already lost one job due to the pain and disabling effects.  Any suggestions?  Thanks

[mags049]

Hi there, I had an anterior cervical discectomy around 1 mth ago (june '06). I have also had headaches since surgery & pain on moving & swallowing etc. Also, numbness in my right hand/arm has not improved, neurosurgeon told me it could take 12-18 mths to return, if it returns at all. The disc between c5/c6 had herniated/slipped & was trapping nerve root at spinal cord. I didnt have fusion & didnt get an implant due to the fact that I am a police officer & would have been unable to return to operational duties had I had implant. I was told I would feel instant relief from pain & as yet I havent! Feel a bit put out, as I'm still in a lot of pain & can still only turn my neck a maximum of 90 degrees, despite doing exercises I was given by physio every day. I asked my Dr when I would start to feel better & he said that was like asking "how long is a piece of string!". I feel as if I have gone thru with surgery needlessly, resulting in a scar I didnt need! Am hoping I'll improve soon & will update this as & when I feel like a new woman! Fingers crossed...

[wapy1]

I had anterior cervical fusion surgery in November of 05 (8 Months ago) between C5 and C6.  They put in a cadaver bone and a plate.  Yesterday they did an xray and there is no fusion happening at all.  There was sliver of some new bone down the back side but it had cracked.  The PA I saw was unclear as to what the implications would be if I did not have a second surgery through the exterior of the neck.  They said I fall into the 5% of those out there who do not fuse.  I am a healthy, athletic non smoker of 43 - I dont take anti inflammitories etc...I have been diagnosed with Osteopenia but I am taking the proper meds for that.   The pain is there but minimal.  What are the risks of living with this unfused?  I want to go back to skiing, biking etc...