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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Pain after cervical diskectomy 12weeks post op
Answered by
Lama Chahine, MD - Neurology
Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland - OH
This forum is for questions and support regarding neurology issues such as: Alzheimer's Disease, ALS, Autism, Brain Cancer, Cerebral Palsy, Chronic Pain, Epilepsy, Fibromyalgia, Headaches, MS, Neuralgia, Neuropathy, Parkinson's Disease, RSD, Sleep Disorders, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury
Pain after cervical diskectomy 12weeks post op
by heidisgirls2, Jul 23, 2008 09:55AM
I had c5 c6 disk removed and fusion on April 28,08 and after surgery my pain in jaw,right arm and numbness went away. Now approx 12 weeks after surgery I am experiencing pain in right shoulder,jaw and arm. I am still very week, just typing this hurts. My Doctor has given my muscle relaxers and 800mg ibroprofan. which only helps a little. Whats going on. I am currently looking for work however I am not sure if I can work? My employer let me go after I had my surgery, I think they were afraid of liability issue. Does anyone have any answers. My follow up appointment is on July 25,08 and I'd like to know if I will ever be able to work agian.
Doctor's Answer
by Lama Chahine, MD, Jul 26, 2008 10:16AM
, Jul 26, 2008 10:16AM
Thanks for using the forum. I am happy to address your questions, and my answer will be based on the information you provided here. Please make sure you recognize that this forum is for educational purposes only, and it does not substitute for a formal office visit with your doctor.
It sounds like you are having weakness and pain in your right arm, shoulder, and jaw, and that you had a spine surgery in April. Without the ability to review your medical history and examine you personally, I can not tell you the cause of your symptoms, nor provide you with a diagnosis. However, I will try to provide you with information regarding possible causes. Without knowing what the indication for your surgery was, it is difficult to provide specifics.
Infection at the operative site would be a worrisome cause of your symptoms that would need to be addressed immediately; associated symptoms such as fever can be an alert to this.
Causes of neck/arm pain related to the spinal cord/column are many; sometimes, pain in the neck and limb following a discectomy is called post-discectomy syndrome. One cause is a recurrence of a herniated disc. Depending on what a spine surgery was for and what was done, sometimes a recurrence of a herniated disc (herniation of the material that exists between the vertebral bodies) can occur, leading to symptoms after surgery.
Scarring and adhesions around the nerves near where the spinal column surgery was performed can also lead to pain and weakness after spinal column surgery. An MRI of the spine can be done to determine whether or not this is the case.
You would benefit from follow-up with your surgeon. Repeat imaging may be indicated depending on your physical examination and history.
Thank you for this opportunity to answer your questions, I hope you find the information I have provided useful, good luck.
It sounds like you are having weakness and pain in your right arm, shoulder, and jaw, and that you had a spine surgery in April. Without the ability to review your medical history and examine you personally, I can not tell you the cause of your symptoms, nor provide you with a diagnosis. However, I will try to provide you with information regarding possible causes. Without knowing what the indication for your surgery was, it is difficult to provide specifics.
Infection at the operative site would be a worrisome cause of your symptoms that would need to be addressed immediately; associated symptoms such as fever can be an alert to this.
Causes of neck/arm pain related to the spinal cord/column are many; sometimes, pain in the neck and limb following a discectomy is called post-discectomy syndrome. One cause is a recurrence of a herniated disc. Depending on what a spine surgery was for and what was done, sometimes a recurrence of a herniated disc (herniation of the material that exists between the vertebral bodies) can occur, leading to symptoms after surgery.
Scarring and adhesions around the nerves near where the spinal column surgery was performed can also lead to pain and weakness after spinal column surgery. An MRI of the spine can be done to determine whether or not this is the case.
You would benefit from follow-up with your surgeon. Repeat imaging may be indicated depending on your physical examination and history.
Thank you for this opportunity to answer your questions, I hope you find the information I have provided useful, good luck.
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