Posterior C3 - C7 laminectomy and fusion with local bone graft and hardware

  My neck pain started 9 months before the surgery. I had just had a cold and had coughed a lot so I thought maybe I had strained a muscle. When it was no better in a month I went to a chiropractor and also had massages at the same place. After a month of that the chiro told me he was not helping me and said I should see a surgeon. He told me the name of one another of his patients had seen and that's who I went to. He is a young, confident, fellowship trained Orthopedic surgeon who only works on necks. He first did x-rays, gave me pain meds and muscle relaxers, physical therapy. Six weeks of that did not help so the next step was an MRI. Results: "Disk bulging results in severe central canal stenosis at C3-4 through C5-6, and mild central canal stenosis at C2-3 and C6-7. Uncovertebral joint hypertrohy causes mild left neural faraminal stenosis at C4-5 and C5-6. Severe disk height loss throughout the cervical and visualized upper thoracic spine." This has not caused pain anywhere but in my neck and shoulders.

I had quit driving by this time because of the pain and loss of movement. I was shocked at the MRI results and the doctor saying I needed surgery, but I was ready for relief and that seemed to be the way to get it. Surgery was Dec. 2013. It took almost 2 hours. My dr was able to re-use bone from the lamina so it was a local bone graft. I awoke with a drain tube just below my neck and wearing a collar. The drain was removed the next morning. My pain was well managed in the hospital with dialaudid in my IV. My husband was with me constantly. I was released to go home 24 hours post op.

I spent lots of time in my relciner and was very pleased that it also swivels since my head did not do much turning. My husband continued to care for me. I was a little wobbly the first 2 days so I used a walker just to be safer. I was told I could remove the collar if I was sitting very still for an hour or so. That freightened me so I didn't do it much. I was given pain meds and muscle relaxers for the first month. At 2 1/2 weeks I saw my dr and the collar was removed. That scared me so that the dr put it back on and said I could remove it after getting home. It didn't feel better or worse without it, just made me nervous. At that time the doctor told me to just move my neck slowly and carefully. No jerking and I would eventually get my range of motion back. My recliner and my ice pack were my biggest relief. I could only be up for about 15 minutes before my neck was exhausted and felt stiff so I had to return to my chair and the ice pack too. I no longer had the pain that had been so bad when riding in a car, but I did have surgical pain. I don't think I could have lived alone that first month, maybe longer.

At 3 months x-rays were done and the dr was very pleased that everything was right where he had left it. We could clearly see the 2 rods and 10 screws. My dr said he wished he could have done it from the front but there was just too much work to do. I had very little neck movement then and still pain, especially just to the right of center on my neck and up into my head and ear. My dr sent me for PT, saying take your pictures, show them what I did and don't let them hurt you! I had PT for 4 weeks 2x a week, then once every 2 weeks from a very gentle PT. He always asks how I felt after the last session. He never pushes me to continue if it hurts. He has me warm up each time with an arm bike, stretch bands, etc. Then he will massage the 4" scar and my shoulders having me move in various ways. We always end with ice packs. My neck pops a lot, less as time passes. The PT says that's coming from above and below the fusion. My right shoulder had started hurting with a few certain movements. I don't know if that's because of the surgery. PT works on that too.

I'm now close to 6 months post op. I am improving, it's just so very slow. I can do more without wearing out now, but not nearly as much as I'd like. Looking up to a top cabinet is difficult. My range of motion is not good enough yet to feel comfortable driving. My neck movement is less if I'm standing. I had my best day recently spending a couple of hours slowly walking around outside with grandchildren. The next 2 days were some of my worst. I am very glad I don't have to go to work because I don't think I could do that yet.

If this is a year long recovery like I've read here, then I'm just about half way. My dr gave me ample opportunity to ask questions but I did not ask how long the recovery was. At that point I had to have relief somehow and thankfully I'm getting there. I've been reading here for the past month which has encouraged me a lot. Thanks to everyone for sharing your own stories. Questions and advice are welcome.

Post Edited (Abilene) : 8/9/2014 11:27:22 AM (GMT-6)

Hello Abilene, I see that you did make an intro post. It sounds like you are progressing along with your surgery & that you are getting there.

I commend you for following through with all of the surgeon's instructions post op as that is what helps these surgeries be a success. It takes a lot of patience & time but when there is surgery involving the spine we want the best outcome possible.

I am glad that decided to join us. As Vickie said you are doing things the right way & that will help others when reading your posts here. Some push too many buttons too fast, then end up paying for it later.

Keep us posted on how you are doing. Take care.

So glad to hear that u r recovering, even if it's a slow progress. I've had two vertebra fused in my neck but they went thru the front so I'm sure it was not nearly what ur goin thru. But I have had a lumbar laminectomy that used my own bone and it took a lot of time to heal. I've also had two failed thoracic fusions with me only bein 3 weeks post-op where they fused T4-L4. Cut from shoulders to tail. I'm nervous as well to do anything to cause this to mess up. All I can tell u is to continue to listen to ur docs and give it as much time as needed. I wish u luck but it sounds like u r well on ur way to recovery!! We r all here to listen cause sometimes it takes someone with chronic pain themselves to identify with u. Good luck!

I am finally able to go to the grocery store without having to stop and rest before checking out. So I think the muscle relaxers are helping. I did not hold on to the cart or even my purse. I walked tall with shoulders back. So it still takes 2 of us to accomplish this but that's ok!

Post Edited (Abilene) : 6/25/2014 11:23:20 AM (GMT-6)

My Neck Fusion surgery heal time was really long too. I'm not done I need my C4 fixed too. The C5 they fixed is perfect but I was in a neck brace for 6-7 months. PT for a few months and I took it easy for 1 year.

Good luck and just keep doing what you're doing, sounds like it's working out.

It's good to find the silver linings :)

My surgery will be Anterior, c5,6,7
Doc says in two weeks will be driving and can walk dogs then.
Yet, he also says the graft takes months...I guess it's the surgeons job to get the job done,express facts and send us to pain centers? Abilene, I am so amazed at all you have worked thru, you give me hope. :)

I am now lowering making realistic expectations for two weeks...recovery

7 Months post-op
I'm still doing well. I might be able to work now if I had a comfortable chair with neck support. I'm just glad no one expects me to do that.

The first months after surgery 15 minutes was my limit of holding my head up before my recliner and ice pack were needed NOW! Yesterday I had company for several hours, was busy enjoying myself and finally felt that familiar tightness and discomfort. Resting my neck a few minutes in the recliner took care of that.

A very hot shower feels good on my neck and I do my exercises there. I no longer go to PT but do my own at home every day.

I'm learning to be more careful about where I sit in various places. A restaurant booth with a high cushioned back is still my favorite. At church or a movie I need to be looking straight ahead. In a waiting room it's best to be across from the person I'm talking to rather than side by side. I CAN move my neck 80% but it's not comfortable to keep it there.

I have not taken pain medication on a regular basis since 6 weeks post-op. Tylenol is all I've used recently and not much of that. That does not mean I'm pain free. My discomfort is more tightness, more so on right side and that is improving slowly. Changing positions, checking my posture, doing some stretches, or relaxing all help.

At 3 months post-op my right shoulder had some pain with certain movements. PT treated that, too. I still have that and assume it's related to the tightness in my neck. Maybe I should try the muscle relaxers again and notice if they help the shoulder-if I can stay awake enough to notice.

For anyone who might compare your own recovery to mine there are a few things important to consider. I'm 65 years old. I've had other surgeries but this was my first spinal surgery. I was not on any medication prior to this surgery. I do not have the stress of returning to work or caring for children. I DO NOT SMOKE. I had neck pain for 9 months before surgery. My expectation is to settle into my new normal around the 1 year mark-that time frame came from reading here. All of these and many more make each recovery different, but it's still very good to share our stories and help each other along.

Post Edited (Abilene) : 11/29/2014 8:18:33 AM (GMT-7)

Poplar Grove,

Ending the pain medication was my own decision because I didn't feel much different with or without it and I kept forgetting to take it. My pre-op pain was nothing like what you are having so that may make a difference. I do understand about the car pain. That was GONE at 2 weeks and maybe even before that-2 weeks is when I noticed it. My husband was glad too-seems my moaning had gotten loud.

I agree your patience will be tested with this recovery. I expect you will notice a difference in your pain very quickly, then you can concentrate on healing from the surgery and moving on toward the prize!

Did you see what I said on your earlier thread about your hair? I've decided to let mine grow a bit longer in back over the scar. By the time my hair covers it, I probably will not care. The scar is looking better all the time. At first it just had steri-strips on it which came off at that first 2 1/2 week check up.

People who know me but don't understand this surgery sometimes ask when I'll get over my stiff neck. I've been known to turn around and show them the scar, then tell them this is as good as it will get and I'm doing well! I've also shown the scar to people who like to hug and might not be gentle enough. I'm not sure if it would hurt, I just don't want to take a chance. It has made me nervous to have someone behind me, just in case they bumped my neck. Once I almost climbed into my husband's lap when we were sitting at tables eating and people were walking behind us. Maybe that's part of why I prefer a booth at a restaurant-just thought of that.

Your positive attitude will help! Ask anything, I'll answer if I can or someone else will.

Great to hear!

I was in a neck brace for 7 months so you're doing better than I did. My surgery was only suppose to take less than hour but the C5 was broken and in pieces so they had to pick those pieces out of my spinal cord for a few hours. Total time, 4 hours and which now became an extremely painful surgery because of that. I had no voice because they went through the front and moved my throat out of the way. I was screaming in ICU when I woke up but nothing was coming out of my mouth until about 20 minutes it popped back (that was weird). They could not get my pain under control for hours so they knocked me out.

Now that I need more surgery I look back and not excited to get the rest fixed. If I had a good surgery I would have done it right away. I also got MERSA which I'll have for the rest of my life.

Only advice I can give is when you're feeling good that doesn't mean you can do more. This will only set you back further from recovery.

P.S. Poplargrove - at 4 months I still take 1/2 to 2 pain meds a day depending on the day and what I have done. I was also told not to even ride in a car for almost 3 months. Even now at 4 months I now drive but not far. And when I go into work next week about 45 minutes away I will probably wear my hard brace since it 1) reduces my pain in the car and 2) should something happen (car accident) it will be extra protection on my still healing neck.

I was driving 2 weeks after my surgery. Had my neck brace on for 7 months. In fact I traded my Mustang GT 2 weeks after my surgery, couldn't drive stick anymore and the neck brace got me the deal I wanted on a bigger car with automatic. So that's some of the good that come from the surgery.

Hi Abilene :)

I hope you are feeling well today :)

I just wanted to say thanks for sharing your story :) Its nice to see all the tips and tricks that make life easier after the surgery.....

Also nice to see you function without pain meds. I don't like them and tolerated shoulder surgery without, so I hope to not need them for this injury for very long either. Right now I need nerve meds to keep my nerve pain under control, and am looking forward to getting off of them. I prefer to be clear headed and I am definitely NOT when taking them.... :)

Starting to think I need to lower my expectations of how long it will take.... I tend to lose patience with injuries and recovery....and I'm starting to see I definitely need to be careful after the surgery :)

I hope you continue to do well and make progress!!

Take care

Lila

11 months post op
I had a very discouraging time 2 weeks ago when I was working in my kitchen, cutting up veggies, when I had severe pain and had to sit down, ice my neck and try to get relaxed. I was discouraged because this was STILL happening. Taller Now passed on some advice from her PT to hold my neck tall and straight and just look down with my eyes. I knew that but needed a reminder. After thinking about how I was standing no wonder I was hurting. I was very stooped over with my neck protruding. So it really helps to have others here who understand and can help to get us back on track. I've not had that severe pain again. If I even feel it might be starting I check my posture and get the pain under control.

I still have pain especially just to the right of my incision. I'm wondering if its where the rod is. The area of pain has decreased so I know it is healing but I'm just curious what it is. It hurts to a lesser degree on the other side also. I'll be sure to ask my surgeon about that when I see him next month for my 1 year follow up.

For my shoulder impingement I had 6 weeks of vigorous PT then home PT to do on my own. That seems to have taken care of that problem as long as I continue to do my exercises every day.

I'm still not driving, except for parking the car a few times. My very protective husband does all our driving. He wants me to heal as much as possible, as quickly as possible. Me, too.

There are not so many questions now about my stiff neck which is good. Friends often mention that I seem to be moving more easily. I don't get nervous about people being behind me now. I've never gotten bumped and still don't want to risk that but I'm not too concerned about it. I do still choose a restaurant booth rather than a table so that's self protective. I talked with a woman who had a 2 level fusion 2 years ago who said she still wears her brace for some activities, such as house cleaning, for self protection. So I guess we do whatever we can to protect these necks while they are healing and well beyond that.

I'm not pain free but don't take anything for pain except an occasional OTC when I've really overdone it. Thanksgiving will be a test of that. I'm trying to get organized and do lots of preparation ahead of that day. I feel much better than I did a year ago. So much to be thankful for!