Neck and Shoulder pain after C5-6 fusion.

[Roonie5038]

A little over a year ago, I had C5-6 fused. With a plate and screws inserted. Since then I am having trouble with pain in the neck and shoulder area just below the fusion area. I wake in the morning with a headache then turns to pain in lower neck and shoulders.
I have talked to the neurosurgeon who did the surgery and he shrugged his shoulders and said I have no idea and sent me back to my neurologist. He gave me a series of injections in both shoulders and the pain stopped for a couple days but then came right back. Then we tried massage therapy, it helps but only for a short period.Then I have to go back to the massage therapist again and again, my insurance will not pay for that. And I have tried changing my pillows on my bed and sleeping in different positions and nothing seems to help for long term.
What can I do?
Thanks
Maureen

[funlkl]

OMG, I am going through the same cronic pain you described. I fell at work @ 2 years ago, had c5,c6,c7, fusion. I feel like im backed into a corner also.I understand exactly what you are going through and am serching for answers :( Terry

[Fusionconfusion]

I found these comments by chance today. I'm in the UK and had a car accident in 2008. After 3 years of pain, physio and chiropractic treatment I finally asked for an MRI which showed I had slipped discs c5 to c7. I had a nerve block at c5/6, which is where I was told was the worse damage.  It gave me relief for 2 weeks then the pain came back.  Having read these posts I know I don't need to describe the pain etc as you are all experiencing the same. I took the surgeons advise and had a discectomy with fusion December 2011. After initial recovery I had relief for about 3 months before the symptoms came back, and gradually they have gotten much worse. Feels like ice running through by left arms whilst burning at the same time. Numbness in my hand and wrist, pain in my neck and shoulder and terrible itching on my back.  I am taking 1200mg of Gabapentin a day which affects my concentration and makes me feel light headed and dizzy.  It is affecting my work and I have had to reduce my working week to be able to cope. I am now getting terrible headaches right at the top of my spine and I can't get comfortable at night. I am seeing another surgeon next week as I want another MRI to see if things have gotten worse.  I think I am going to have to make some big decisions about how to manage my situation going forward and although it does not help anyone it is good to finally find a site that shows I am not alone.

[Janetsky]

I had a 56 fusion in November 2014 I had arm pain in both the right and the left. I am still receiving physical therapy the arm pain will not go away.The arm surgeon said the nerves were pinched so long that the muscles start to atrophy or die and he does not think my arms are going to get any better. My neck is always stiff and I get burning in my shoulders neck all the way down to my arms that I never had before the surgery. I'm  not sure how long it takes until they know that you've fused. I'm still out of work I see the doctors every six weeks and nothing has changed I am also a secretary in a school and everyone keeps wondering when I'm coming back. Nobody can physically see our pain therefore they can't understand why you're not back at work.   The spine doctor and arm doctor say I have a permanent partial disability and I would be at risk going back and sitting over a desk all day long, it would just cause more back and neck pain and possibly a another fusion. I am so afraid how I will financially afford to retire.

[jthomas5321]

Hello -
I have been experiencing pain and discomfort since my fusion surgery in Dec. I don't sleep at night, and when I do I have cold sweats and wake up within a few hours of falling asleep. Has anyone done a study on fusion surgery? Checking to see who experiences pain and other issues after surgery that used a cadaver bone vs those that used their own bone? I was told they can take a part of my hip bone and put in place of the cadaver bone but recovery would be longer so opted for cadaver. Could it be the bodies way of trying to reject the bone? We hear of organ transplants that people have trouble with the body rejecting, how is this any different? I would just like to sleep through the night, not hurt everyday all day, and get back to living my life.

[eltiburon]

Wow, there is a lot of extended pain in this room. In December 2014 I woke up with debilitating nerve pain in my upper back radiating down through my right shoulder, arm and ending in my hand. Doctors here started with narcotics ending with Morphine to take the edge off. After all of the conventional methods of treatment, Dr. suggested I was going to need a fusion at c5-6 and c6-7. I sought out a second opinion and 6 weeks ago ended up at the NorthAmericanSpine in Dallas, TX. 3 weeks ago I had Accurascope laser surgery in Scottsdale, AZ after being told through a SECOND opinion that a fusion was not necessary nor was a laminectomy. These people game me my life back, pain free! I urge you all to do your research on pain related to the spinal column. There is wonderful technology out there with a lot of young and intelligent doctors on cutting edge treatments. For those that have to have treatments, read this article. As I said, cutting edge technology exists though maybe not in your neighborhood. I had to travel 1200 miles for my procedure and it was worth every second. Good luck all and check out the link I have posted for you. Bob

http://www.laserbacksurgery.com/asimpletech.html

[X_ballplayer]

I honestly can relate. Had C4-7 in Oct'14, two fusing somewhat after 3 months, waiting to see if 3- 4 months the bottom fusion will start to take. Pain had been a daily event. Neck feels like someone is choking me. Shoulder blade areas not as bad as before but on occasion they hurt.
Only relief has been tingling in arms. but still get the many other problems and my restless leg came back that was gone for 3-4 years. So hoping it will cease in time.
Popping in neck scares the dickens out of me, it's sometimes very loud and on one occasion painful. Even my PT person heard it in the room. It occasionally hurts otherwise. I'm not sure why ot what may be happening inside my neck. Have on't seent he Dr twice. Once when he said I need the neck done before having my back done  and the day of the surgery.. That is itself isn't good IMO. Other times I've seen the PA.  I originally  planned to have my lower back done then do the neck but the Dr said the neck was worse than the back so I chanced and had the neck done 1st.  With fusion in questionable a state, I'll wait until it is resolved before having my back done.
Having to do without the only extracurricular activity I enjoyed for the last 40+ years I believe is the worst part of this.
They are legally required to notify you of the 'possible problems' but I think it is a loophole for them. So tred slowly and be certain in your own mind this is what you want to do.  There is no guarantee on any part of it only that they will try to fix...sometthing. We are all totally different as to that is wrong even though the words used are the same, no two are 'exactelly' alike.
Best of all to you all, cause I know and dread what's instore frome here on.
May God Bless you all.