Alternative pain treatments and lifestyle changes after anterior cervical fusion

[Susan Logue]

I'm 40 years old and had anterior cervical fusion surgery 2 1/2 years ago. I had ruptured disk C4-5. I was told at the time that the disks above and below the fusion were not in good shape and to be careful. I don't work, I do light strength training 2 days a week and cardio recumbant bike 5 days a week. I continue to suffer debilitating muscle spasms in the neck, trapezius, and mid-back. Is it safe or beneficial to be treated by a chiropractor for the pain? I've also been diagnosed as having myofacial pain and fibromyalgia. I went through all of the trigger point injections and physical therapy a year before I was finally diagnosed with a ruptured disk and subsequently had the surgery. Those treatments helped for a short time but I still had nerve impingement from the disk. Now that the disk is fixed, should I go back for the myofacial treatments again, or should I stick with chiropractic and see if I get any relief. I get very nervous hearing my neck cracking.
Thank you.

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

thanks for your comments.

CCF Neuro MD

[Elaine]

I am scheduled for surgery on Nov. 4 for severe cervical stenosis.  My spinal column at C-4,5 & 6 is almost completely squeezed shut.  I had pain down my left arm in July before the MRI showed the compression but since then I have no pain or problems Now I wondered why I needed the surgery until I saw the MRI myself. I accept that I need surgery but I'm concerned about the recovery and after effects. I will have a bone graft from my hip and I'm told the pain will be more in my hip, with a 12 week recovery.  Any comments will be appreciated.

[Annette]

Good luck Elaine. I had a fusion at C4-5 and 5-6 on Oct. 1st. CAT scan showed more problems than a previous MRI. My pain began oveer 10 years ago with a worsening the past 2. I had been to several chiropractors, massage therapy, neurologist, orthopedic surgeon, pain clinic for epidurals, many drugs, and finally a neuro who ordered the CAT scan (after I had been told the MRI was more accurate). The disks I had removed were calcified. My neuro only uses donor bone. He feels there is not enough proof that your own bone has a better success rate. Not enough to warrant putting the patient through basically 2 surgerys. I have talked to many patients with similar surgery and all agreed that the hip pain from bone removal is by far more painful than the neck surgery. I also had posterior spurring on these two disks and the one above and below. After nerve and muscle testing, it was determined that although 4 looked bad, my symptoms were stemming from the two worse ones. I have a real fear that I will be repeating this process in the coming years, on the other two areas. My pain on the right side on my head, neck, and shoulder, which was my major complaint, is gone. Thank the Lord. However, by some twist of fate, I am experiencing similar pain on my left side (head behind the ear, neck and shoulder). I go back to the Dr. on the 15th to have an  x-ray and see how I am healing. I hope everything goes well with your surgery. So far, I feel I made the right decision but only time will tell.

[debbie]

Hi Sandi-I had anterior cervical fusion at three level last Jan. 5. I had disc herniation at three levels-c4-5, 5-6 and6-7. I had the bone taken from my right hip as I had surgery to rebuild my left hip 2 years ago due to a birth defect. The hip will be sore for awhile for sure but it is tolerable. I had trouble with my throat feeling like it was closing up especially right after the surgery but that subsided eventually. I was in a full neck brace for 6 months while the bone fused since I didn't have any plates. Fusion without a plate is always better if poss. I am still in alot of pain and still have numbness in both arms and hands,neck pain and occipital headaches. This type of surgery should always be used as a last resort. It is not a pleasant experience and the results are not always what you would expect. I have had numerous operations and this one was the most difficult by far. I had an excellant doctor,well respected in his field but the success rate for this type of surgery is not as high as other surgeries. The nervous system is a very touchy area to work on. I am currently being treated by a pain management clinic trying to get some relief. My life has changed drastically. If you have this operation-do everything that the doctors tell you to do and not to do!!! I over did it when I started to feel better and I think that is part of my problem now.Your situation may not be as drastic as mine because I did have 3 levels done at once which is a lot. I wish you the best and hope you are feeling better soon    Debbie

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

thanks for your comments.

CCF Neuro MD

[Jack Smart]

My doc says I need Anterior Cervical Disuectomey and Fusion.  Was explained that bone from hip would be used and something like shock absorbers with rods running along my neck to support my neck. C5-6, C6-7, Cy-T1. Says "no big deal" he's "done 70 of them this year".  What are alternatives people have done with success?  Seems to me that if this stuff squeezing my sping got there, its because something in my body's not working right, or I'm not getting right food for me or something...Like if it got there, there MUST be a way to get it to be taken from the body too.  I'm 56 and after reading the posts on this surgery I'm inclined to say FORGET this.  I think my doc says it's "no big deal" because he doesn't have to have the pain thats left.  I will not be in pain the rest of my life.  There must be something...Help me find it.

Jack