3 months post c5-c6 acdf with symptoms returning

[inpainagain]

Hello, During rehab last April,for a rotator cuff repair on my left shoulder (same surgery right shoulder 5 years ago) I began experiencing burning pain down my neck, into my opposite shoulder, finger pain and numbness in my hands when sleeping. I had the ACDF in late December. Because of my shoulder problem I had not slept in a bed for nearly 15 months. I have tried sleeping in a bed (new mattress, new pillow) but I am now having pain thorughout the night across my trapezoid muscle, in both shoulders and my fingers are again falling asleep when I am in bed. My grip is worsening in my right hand as I have been dropping things again. I was feeling great 6 weeks post-op until I tried to sleep in a bed. Even percocet will not help me sleep through the pain. Prior to surgery the Dr. mentioned that he thought c3-c4 were ok but he would see how there were during surgery. I'm back on the sofa again but still very, very sore and feel like I have having constant spasms across my upper back. What could have caused this? Has anyone experienced this? I had a donor bone graft and all x-rays were good. Carpal tunnel isn't the problem either. Thanks.

[Smcgee]

My husband had shoulder surgery and still can not sleep in the bed either, you will have to sleep elevated for quit some time!

[Osgoodie]

When you experienced this cervical neck arm pain what did your orthopedic surgeon suggest?

[fightin4ever]

Hello, I started with c6-c7 in 2003.  I had the tyipical hand numbenss, shoulder pain, ect.  This surergery relieved a lot of the pain.  The following year a new pain started at the base of my neck.  After therapy, meds and injections I had another surgery.  This time c5-c6 was fused.  (2005)  Dr. said disk above was not normal either but should be "ok".  WELL.....here comes 2006, old pain gone and yet again here is new pain!! Suprise Suprise.  I told him to fuse both disk the year before...he said "oh no you are too young" (31 at the time).  So 2006 c5-c4 was fused too.  Yes, this is 3 cervical fusion.  Last surgery did nothing for me.  

I got copies of all my records and apparently c7-t1 is herniated too.  Oh and the last 2 disk in my neck are the picture of health either.  When I asked what I am suppose to do now Dr. still stated I am too young to totally fuse my neck.So he said I would have to manage it with drugs.

I am currently using the Fentanyl patch, percocet, Soma, Lyrica and more!!!  I myself feel like a controlled substance!  My spit has to have some sort of narcotic in it!!! :o)  So, Neck and shoulder pain I feel for you and it can be a domino effect once started.  A lot of it is genetic as well.  My mother and brother both have degenerative disk disease as well. (me too!! YIPEE)

IF you or anyone on here have any tips for me please feel free to comment!!

Thank you so much for sticking with my book here!  It is a lot to share! :o)

Be safe everyone!!  Fightin4ever (so it seems)