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 message therapy, it helps but only for a short period. 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

[dayton5959]

I had fusion of C5-6,with bone plate and bone,screws. It has been over 12 years,and I suffer constant agonizing pain,in my neck and down the rt. arm and shoulder. My discs were compressing my blood supply to my rt. arm or I would not have done it. I would NEVER do it again. they say now I need fusion on the discs above and below the first fusion!! I do not think so!! Never again. I am not interested in being wheel chair bound.

[ariel555]

I had this same surgery a year ago, I am discovering this same thing. My shoulders and right arm are the worst areas of pain. I agree with you, toning and strengthening the muscles is the best option. I've had some good results with a process called "dry needling" as it serves to release muscle tension.
I am having a 3 level lumbar disc fusion and correction of a curved spine in about 3 weeks. My back pain is unbearable.

[iwillneverbethesame]

I had to get glasses after my fusion...I had some weird eye issues for about a year and a half.  it has been two years for my fusion c5/c6

[Nelson713]

I had c3,4 ,5,6 done Dec of 2011  they used my hip bone for the neck  I can't move my neck  still have hip pain all the pain is back sorry I ever did it in the frist place. I can't do any thing so much pain .

[skw586]

BEEN PHYSICALY DISABLED SINCE TRAMATIC BRAIN INJURY IN 1977 --  BIG DEAL SURVIVING.  WALKING BALANCED IMPROVED GREATLY --  BUT STILL NOT WALKING INDEPENDENTLY.

MUCH DIFFIERENT THAN YOUR PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS, JUST THOUGHT OF SUGGESTING HOW I HAD LEARNED FROM MY PT THERIPIST OF USING MOIST HEAT HEALS JOINT PAIN BEST.  I HAD USED A LIKE SANDBAG THING YOU HEAT IN BOILING WATER........YOU MUST ASK YOUR PHARMATIST TO ORDER CALLED A "HYDROCULATOR".  NEXT:  IT MOST BE WRAPPED INSIDE A BATH TOWEL BEFORE PLACING ONTO YOUR SKIN.

MY THERAPIST RECOMMENDED HOLDING ONTO YOUR SORE NECK OR IN MY CASE MY SORE ANKLE (OR ANY SORE JOINT MUSCLES) FOR 20 MINUTES.  AND TO IMMEDIATELY HOLD COLD PACK ONTO THE SAME AREA.  **** til pain is better or gone) ******** # of repeated DAYS & times, depends on the needs of serverity!!  HOPE ITS A THOUGHT ya never know till tried........as always!!!

YES.......FELT AS IF YOU PULLED THE SORENESS OUT RIGHT AWAY!!  -----  JUST TELLING THAT THOUGH, HOWEVER MANY OTHER TIMES I ALSO HAD DONE THIS FOR A STIFF NECK -----  WHICH ALSO ELIVIATED THE PAIN IN MY STIFF NECK -----  IT MAY HELP YOUR PAIN IF NEVER TRIED I WONDERED!!!  LIKE YOU HOPE SO.......NO DOUBTS!!

[cfit11002]

I am so glad I found this site.  I have been having pain in my neck and at a disc in my upper back.  I am not allowing anyone to touch me.  I will deal with it.  It's not as bad as what I am reading here!  My brother had back surgery as did my father and they are both in worse pain now than they were.  I just had a friend to had a second neck surgery.  The first involved a plate as well.  She had pain before, but, not to the extent she has now.  She says she just wants to die it hurts so bad.  I'll use natural approaches and will try zyflamend before I let anyone cut me open!  I will hold all of you suffering in pain in my prayers!