Almost 5 months post op acdf surgery

I am almost 5 months post op acdf surgery. Recovery went well with no problems. All symptoms went away completely as soon as surgery was complete, until about 7 weeks ago when I moved to a new home. After moving, couches, tables and beds etc I noticed my index finger and middle finger got the familiar numbness and tingling I had before surgery. The doctor said it was possibly inflammation and prescribed prednisone. After finishing the steroid there was no change. My fingers have been numb ever since. On April 1st I returned to work as a CNA, heavy lifting included, and ever since I have had the return of constant, deep neck pain, burning in my shoulder blades, it runs down the back of my arm, my forearm and into my hand. The numbness in my fingers have became constant and now the back of my hand has been numb for over a week. Just holding my head up straight or turning my head sends burning pains all the way from my neck to my hand. The surgeon doesn't seem to think there should be anything wrong since I haven't had an "injury" Such as a car accident and will not even see me until the end of June. My neck is having worse problems than before I had surgery and seems to only be getting worse. Has anyone had problems like this? Is this something to worry about?

Hi Brooklyn, I totally agree with what Susie told you! One thing you might try (that might help you, at least untill you can see your Doctor or Surgeon ) if possibly can you get light duty at your place of employment? (Like no heavy lifting of patients or residents etc. ??) I am definitely familiar with the duties of a CNA (I took a CNA course and worked as a CNA while going to Nursing School) Brooklyn I personally feel this is definitely not the type of work you should be doing so soon after your type of surgery!!! I have also had multiple ACDF's So I am extremely familiar what is involved in healing and recovery from this type of surgery. If you could do this at least for the short term ...... to see if your symptoms ease up, and or go away? With the symptoms you described I would definitely be giving your cervical spine a rest and avoid doing anything that would put any stress on it! Hopefully you have just irritated the nerves a bit and maybe caused some inflammation and not got reinjured anything! But if at all possible please please please be gentle with yourself and avoid doing anything that could possibly make your situation any worse, at least untill you have seen your Doctor or Surgeon and have had your condition reevaluated!

Good Luck to you Brooklyn, I do wish you well!

White Beard

Brooklyn, so glad that you checked back in. I hope that you can get some relief soon. Please let us know what the next step will be. Is your surgeon aware of your type of employment with all of the lifting involved?

Take care.