ACDF when does the pain stop?

[sharadale]

I had surgery a month ago. I have been experiencing pain in my neck, ears, jaw, and numbness in my arms. I have had to start taking pain meds again. I've been told that it is normal but I was wondering if anyone could tell me when it will stop.

[sharadale]

Well I saw the dr. today. He said the pain I am feeling is normal and to be expected. He gave me two more weeks home and said if I need more to call him. He suggested some strength building as well as weaning from the brace. How was your first day back?

[sharadale]

I go to the doctor on Tuesday. Originally he was supposed to release me to return to work next Friday. I know I can't make a full day and can't take any 1/2 days as i am using the sick leave bank and they don't allow that.I have enough leave to stay out until the end of March. We will discuss it on Tuesday.
I hear you about that weird feeling in your throat. I have experienced that too. I have also felt a burning shooting pain in my neck if I move too quickly or the wrong way.
I can't believe you are going back already but my boss had the same surgery u did and returned after 2 weeks. Good luck and let me know how it goes.

[runninggrl]

You will really need to be careful with that equipment when you go back. I am a 2nd grade teacher and literacy coach for teachers.  I am going to need to break my habit of lugging around heavy bags, that's for sure.  I have the plate with screws and cadaver bone also and am noticing when I do too much that weird feeling in my throat comes back that I had the first couple weeks.  I've been doing nothing the past couple days trying to get ready to go back to work on Tuesday.  I keep telling myself I'm fine now and whenever I try to go anywhere I am overcome with dizziness and pain.  I guess we have a long road ahead.  When do you return to work?  Hopefully you have a couple more weeks (at least) off to recover.  

[sharadale]

I had 2 disks removed, fused 3 vertebra with plates, screws and cadaver bone replacement. I also had a bone spur ground down. I am 55 but have scoliosis and lots of soft tissue injury over my life. I worked as a teacher of students with disabilities so I did a lot of lifting and positioning. Now I train teachers and work a lot with technology. When I train I usually have to bring lots of equipment and materials with me. There is going to have to be some adjustments in the way I work when I return.

[runninggrl]

I had one disc removed C-6/C-7  and arthritic spurs removed as well as a hole drilled to create a larger opening for my nerve because of the stenosis.  I have degenerative disc in my entire spine and arthritis at all levels.  My discs have completely degenerated at a couple levels and so my spine fused partially on its own.  I'm 36 and assuming this will not be my last surgery based on my genetics, but thankfully I only needed one cervical disc removed.  My aunt had an ACDF for one disc and then 12 years later had surgery on 3 levels with a cage.  She did say the second surgery was a much a longer recovery.   How many discs did you have removed?

[sharadale]

Thanks for your reply. I also came to notice that I was hunching my shoulders, so I had to make a conscious effort to relax my shoulders. I continue to have good days and bad days. I have been taking some outings and find that the pain generally occurs if I try to do too much.
I pray that you heal quickly. How many disks did you have removed?

[runninggrl]

I had an ACDF 3 weeks ago and I feel like I have some days with little pain and then if I try to start increasing activity I get muscle spasms and pain throughout my back and neck with tingling in my arms.  The one suggestion I got from my surgeon was to not tense up my shoulders and pull them up. I feel like I've naturally done that since the pain started years ago.  Tonight I'm in horrible pain.  Last night was great.  I don't have answers, but I wanted to let you know I was off pain medication and muscle relaxers and had to take them again today.  It sounds like it's hard to tell this early on.  I hope you heal quickly.

[sharadale]

Thanks for your reply. I don't see my surgeon for two more weeks. I spoke with the nurse who said this is normal but I am concerned about returning to work with this kind of pain. I can't imagine working an 8 hour day feeling this bad.

[EdwardPB]

No, only your Neuro Surgeon can give you an estimate of their prognosis.
It could stop in days, it could never go away.
A proper exam needs to find the cause of the pain. Was a nerve root decompression necessary? If so, was it done? Is the pain in just the skin, which means it could be the normal trauma of the incision. (which will heal)

It could be normal post surgical inflammation.
It could be failure to do a needed root decompression.
It could be additional disk factors.
It could be your posture/positions.
It could be a long list of many other things.

1 month is a very short time. If your Surgeon can't give you better answers, I would give it a few months before becoming concerned.