pain at cervical fusion level c6/7

I have had degenerative disc disease for 6 years. 4 years ago I was diagnosed with a moderately bulging disc at c6/7, and a mild disc bulge at c5/6. After nerve tests it was discovered that c6/7 was the culprit of my nerve pain on my left side and that c5/6 didn't show any impingement.It was decided that thy would leave 5/6 alone, and I had a posterior microdicectomy on level c6/7. The surgery was successful, and I had pain relief until last year. The nerve pain returned on my left side, going across my shoulder blade, down my arm and into my wrist, thumb, and index fingers. More often that not it was accompanied by tingling. After an MRI and a couple of nerve tests it was discovered that I had moderate nerve root 7 impingement/stenosis and moderate bone spurring at c6/7, and c5/6 showed moderate disc degeneration and mild bone spurring. The neurosurgeon wanted to do fusion only on c6/7 and leave 5/6 alone again because once again it wasn't causing any problems. I had the fusion done 6 weeks ago and experienced immediate nerve pain relief. At the two week mark I was off narcotic pain relievers and only taking advil PRN.. At 3 weeks I wasn't in need of any pain medications. I went back to work FT at 4 weeks. Since returning to work ( a desk job) I have been experiencing increasing severe pain in the area of the fusion. It's local and does not radiate and does not feel like nerve pain. I have started PT, actually, on the same day as I returned to work , and go 2 times a week. We do massage and stretching exercises. The pain at the fusion site has become so painful over the past 2 weeks that I am back on vicodin.  Is it possible that I'm not fusing? Is this much pain to be expected? Did I go back to work too soon? Laying down is the worst. I can't find any position that's comfortable. It starts out comfortable, then after 2 minutes the pain seeps back in and I have to find a new position. This goes on until I fall asleep. My last recheck with my neurosurgeon was 3 weeks ago, and after an x-ray she said things looked good so far. I have another recheck soon, but not soon enough to put my fears at ease. I feel like all that's happened is that I've swapped nerve pain for this pain, and honestly I think this pain is worse. At least the nerve pain would come and go. This pain is constant and is easily a chronic 5 on the pain scale of 1-10. Any answers I can get would be helpful.

[DrNoopurMD]

Hi There,

Rehab after fusion surgery is a slow process and as it takes time for the healing and fusion to occur.

The rehab therapy is started at least after 4-6 weeks of surgery in order to give the bone sufficient time to fuse and heal. A couple of weeks more of rest may have helped you. Desk job also does not help the situation due to constant strain on the neck.

It is best to undergo an X ray just to make sure everything is progressing fine and in the meantime just take it easy and if possible work only PT.

Good luck and keep us posted!