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 massage therapy, it helps but only for a short period.Then I have to go back to the massage therapist again and again, my insurance will not pay for that. 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

[ChelleG]

I just want to get back to normal!  The pain is more unbearable than before the surgery C5-C6.  The arm numbness is gone a and the zing electric shock, but now the burning sensation in my back shoulder blade are is insane and the headache that comes about 3:00 is debilitating.  I have to go back to work in less than a week and am living on aspirin and trying to figure out how this is going to get better.  Let's not even talk about how my thermostat is broken!  I'm freezing and sweating and the same time!  Soaking everything, no sleep for weeks...I thought this was supposed to be recovery and beneficial...wish inning I would have waited longer.

[DDBGF]

I had neck fusion in April and I guess it was OK..but my right shoulder is always in pain.  I also found I lose my voice, have a hard time sleeping on my back now because I can't breathe through my nose??? It's weird.
But the moment I wake up I put a heating pad on my neck and shoulders, and I do it at least 5 times a day, the kind you pop in the microwave, when I'm in a lot of pain I ice it, I actually purchased a ice collar that helps with the pain.  Pain pills don't seem to help but Valium does help with the nerve pain I feel in my shoulder.  I'm going to a good PT and exercise as much as I can.
I wish we could all be pain free, I wish you only the best.

[retrodata]

Hi there my wife had the procedure done 8 months ago, we followed all the post op rules and have been very very careful, the last x-ray said that the operation was a success but the pain is worse now ,my wife is suicidal as she can not live with then pain anymore, I am so worried as our marriage of 23 years is in the balance and I cannot get answers, I live in South Africa and will really like to know more as I will sell my house and everything I own to get this done for my wife .. anything for my wife .. she really deserves a good life and at the moment it looks as if its going to end I am desperate !! .. thanks Gary : ***@****

[jacksmac31]

Wow. I am currently considering replacement of my cervical disc due to a protusion that is causing me burning pain in my shoulder, shoulder blade and aching under arm, down my arm and numbness in my thumb. However having read all the post here I am starting to think that a) the pain is nowhere near as bad as what some put up with before having surgery and b) surgery in a lot of cases seems to improve the current pre op pain by cause more pain down the track. I have been like this for 12 months after having a massage from an over zealous massage therapist. I'm in New Zealand so we have government funded medical care of injuries (i.e. you don't have to sue people to get your medical costs covered).
I am getting a second opinion shortly the first surgeon said I could have it replaced but as there is no degeneration or any other spine issues if I can learn to live with it it may not get any worse but it might not get any better (i.e. its not necessarily going to degenerate to the extent that by not having surgery now I am delaying the inevitable).
I've tried lots of different things and can highly recommend 3 courses of action to people.
1. Learn the active isolated stretching techniques (google it) and do it EVERY day. This has been a god send for keeping my neck, back and shoulder area flexible and managing the muscle tension
2. Try accupuncture. Not just great for the problem but also good for frame of mind which I know we all struggle with when we have these ongoing issues.
3. Try Bowen. Again this has been fantastic at helping manage the pain.

I did Physiotherapy, Chiro and Osteo which all made it worse.

I'm am however only in bad pain maybe 4 - 5 days per month. The rest of the time is is anywhere from moderate pain to no pain just some stiffness in the shoulder.

It is so hard to decide what to do as the worst thing I can imagine is that I come out of surgery worse off and then it is irreiversible.

[volsangel]

I have degenerative disc in my neck from C-4 through C-7, arthritis all through my spine and hips and fibromyalgia, along with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.  At the end of March 2013 I sneezed at work and ruptured 2 disc in my neck between C-6/C-7 & T-1.  It took 3 weeks for me to get a diagnosis that one disc was ruptured and after 3 weeks of steroids and no improvement the Dr took another look at the MRI and saw the 2nd rupture further down.  I was told my only option was surgery because of the bone spurs and the numbness and weakness in my right hand that I could have permanent nerve damage.  I had surgery the 3rd week of May and the numbness is better but the pain in the back of my neck where the fusion is, the pain in my collar bone under the incision, and the pain in my right shoulder is unbearable. I wore the Miami hard cervical collar for 4 weeks.  I was not allowed to lift my arms for four weeks and I don't know with my arthritis and fibromyalgia if that is causing the pain in my shoulder.  It's the joint and sometimes the pain radiates down my arm.  The surgery took longer than expected because the tear on my T1 disc was much larger than they anticipated.  I've been out of work since the end of March when it happened.  When I went to the Dr in August I was told that I'm 40% behind where I should be and they could not tell me when I would be able to return to work.  I did ask if my other heath issues could make my recovery more difficult and they told me absolutely.  I had to resign from my job.  I totally understand about needing to support your neck, the only chair that I can sit in is the recliner because it supports my neck.  When I lay down it pulls on my incision very uncomfortably and there are foods and pills that are hard to swallow.  When I do my therapy it hurts my left collar bone, under the incision and right shoulder.  My husband had this surgery several years ago and his incision is higher than mine because his area was C5/C6.  The least little movements aggravate my right shoulder socket and take my breath.  I wake myself up whimpering when I try to turn over in the bed.  I feel frustrated and just want to be back to my pre surgery movements.  I was told that you automatically lose 5 to 8 percent for each level you have fused, this was after surgery though.  I have very limited mobility and am unable to drive because of that and I also have been suffering from vertigo episodes since the 2nd week of July.  I've never had vertigo before in my life until after surgery when I fell into the wall.  I was on Lortabs from the end of March until the middle of July and now I'm taking Ultram.  It takes the edge off so that I can sleep for a little bit.  I go back to the Dr in September but after reading many of the posts I will not be getting my shoulder injected.  I'm not one for a temporary fix and that's all that it sounds like.  I'm praying that the pain gets better.  I can't cook where I have to stir or tilt my head down.  No vacuuming. lifting, I can't even take my dog for a walk.  I'm just tired of the pain but keep praying for improvements.  By the way I would not wish this surgery on my worst enemy so if it would be a LAST RESORT if faced with it again.  

[Shadowlucky]

I understand what you are saying lyd915.  Before I had the surgery, I was referred to this surgeon from my spine and pain management specialist.  I looked him up online and every story was positive and made him out to be such an awesome surgeon.  I thought I was in great hands.  Little did I know that this was probably his own site that he posted all the positive things people had to say about their surgeries.  He forgot about all the ones like mine that didn't turn out so wonderful.  To any and all who have never had this type of surgery done, don't forget to ask about the side effects and possible negative outcomes of the surgery before you have it done.  The surgeon will not cover that in your conversation unless you ask, OBVIOUSLY.  And just remember, you will never be as good as you were or better after this type of surgery in the cervical area (disk replacement with plate).  I was frightened into believing that if I didn't have it done, I might become paralyzed.  In reality, we could all become paralyzed from a fall or car accident.  Don't let them  touch your cervical spine to replace a bad disk for any reason unless you are already paralyzed.  You will regret it!  Bulging disks are a different story.  The bulged disk can be shaven and relieve pain from nerves being pinched but replacing a disk causes a lot of stretching and pulling of the muscles, ligaments, and nerves that cause excruciating pain that even after four months for me has never gone away.  The only thing you can do afterward is deal with it, take medication to help relieve it (although it still doesn't go away, just dulls the pain) and walk and do exercises and keep busy to help keep your mind off of it.  But I have never had a good night's rest or normal life since the surgery was done four months ago.  I will keep you all posted and let you know if it gets better as months pass.  Good luck to all who have cervical stenosis and herniated disks