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3 months post acdf surgery and pain is worse

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Chronic Pain
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Posted 8/16/2020 4:53 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all! New to the forum. I had fusion of c4, c5, c6, c7 with graft and plate at the end of May. The numbness and tingling were better at first, but the pain was worse. X-ray at 4 weeks and MRI at 9 weeks showed things looked good. At that point, the numbness and tingling was back in full force and I have worse pain now. Burning pain. I can pinpoint the worst pain on the back of my neck on the left, but it radiates from there. It was like I didn’t say those words to my surgeon. He released me with no restrictions to return to work 12 weeks after surgery.

I returned and didn’t think I was going to make it the first night. I was in tears. I use a high pressure hose for 5-6 hours a night. Climb on equipment, carry chemical. I hurt so bad I couldn’t swallow. Called in the next night, which I hate doing. I asked the surgeon before even going back to work to please refer me to pain management. He refused.

As a side note, I didn’t know I had disk problems. I had not complained about neck pain. I thought I had a shoulder dislocation causing the numbness and tingling in my left arm (horse incident) and my right arm hurt and tingled from repetitive Motions from years of vacuuming, etc. I was very shocked to be sent for an MRI and more shocked to learn the extent of degeneration and compressed nerves. Surgery was a reluctant last resort. I wish I’d never done it because now I’m in constant pain that my surgeon has completely ignored, and I’m trying to figure out how I’ll manage at work tonight.

Any advice is appreciated! I’m at a loss.
Posted 8/16/2020 5:45 PM (GMT 0)
Hello & welcome to the forum. The surgeon released you to return to work too soon! This is a real problem with a lot of surgeons. It takes a good year or more to completely heal from this surgery, some even longer. The incision looks healed, but things on the inside take much longer.

You body went through a lot of trauma from the surgery. Returning you to work too soon added insult to injury. If you have a good GP, it's time to make an appt with him/her for a conversation about how the surgeon dumped you. There are many options a good pain mgt dr can try to lessen the burning pain. You have a lot of inflammation going on. Pain mgt can try injections to a variety of medications to help with this. Get your GP involved in referring you to a pain mgt dr.

In the meantime, use ice packs, no heat. Heat will make the inflammation worse. Look for some OTC products that has some lidocaine in them. Do not lay on a couch with your head propped up, keep your neck & posture as straight as possible.

In all seriousness your work activities are keeping your symptoms triggered. With that much work done on your neck , it's just a bad combination.

Keep us posted.
Posted 8/17/2020 9:37 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Kimberly,
I can certainly relate to you. I have had a two level fusion of the same area over three years ago. I will say I was never the same after surgery. I am now in pain management. My pain management dr told me not long ago the words I never wanted to hear--"You will never go off opiate pain meds".

I now have another level at C4 which has degenerated and my surgeon wants to fuse this also. I hurt everyday-all day. Not only does my cervical spine hurt but I also herniated my L4-S1 and need this area fused. Last but not least I also need both my SI joints fused. I now always tell people to think long and hard before having spine surgery. If you want to talk more just let me know.

God bless and good luck
Posted 8/17/2020 9:43 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you! I sent a message to my surgeon. When I hadn’t heard from him, I called and expressed how bad my pain has gotten after 2 nights working. No reply again. Sigh...

I’m frustrated and hurting so bad I can’t sleep and I want to cry. I feel for all of you who’ve gone through this. My mother has degenerative disk disease also and has opted not to have surgery. I wish now I’d followed in her footsteps.
Posted 8/18/2020 4:40 PM (GMT 0)
All I know is that surgery of any kind is a shock to the body and often it takes time to feel better.

I am sorry for all that you are going through but I do think you are going to feel better in time. Keep trying to hang in there Kimberlyb. Know we are all here for you.

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 8/19/2020 9:43 PM (GMT 0)
I believe Susie is right in that you went back to work to soon. Especially if your job is physical in nature. I will say I wish I had not had surgery either yet sometimes there is nothing you can do but let them cut. I was losing use of my left arm from nerve entrapment. Unfortunately pain is an unwanted side effect of my fusion. Also I don't believe surgeons stress the domino effect of collapsing vertebra after surgery.

My advice is to try to take more time off work if possible. If not try to ask your boss for a less strenuous position. If all else fails and you can look for another job elsewhere. I am three years post op and getting worse and not better. Please adjust your life accordingly. This may be a permanent situation for you.

God bless
Posted 11/25/2020 10:22 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, I’m at 2 months out from ACDF at C3,4 & 4,5 and I am struggling with the continuing pain. It comes and goes with the severity and Ive never taken more than Tylenol for the discomfort except in the hospital where they initiated a narcotic right after surgery. I’m not sure where I should be as well, though it is comforting to hear that this is probably normal for how short of a time it has been. I’ve been doing PT 2x a week and at home. I use ice and heat but I was interested to read that the heat can actually cause more pain if the pain is from inflammation. Something to consider.

I also have Sjogrens and was diagnosed 4 years ago though I know now I’ve had it most of my life. Since sjogrens causes inflammation at the joints I’m wondering if it is adding to my pain? I know I have osteoarthritis in my knees and the orthopedic dr told me that the sjogrens could be adding to my pain.

I had major symptoms come on this summer after having neck pain for years. Mid summer I started getting weak legs and arms, and balance issues. This was on top of some nerve pain and nerve sensations I was having in my right hand. I pushed for an MRI from my rheumatologist thanks to a physical therapist who looked at the xrays and wanted to know more info prior to working on my neck. Once I had the MRI the rheumatologist sent me straight to a neurosurgeon. I had a 2nd opinion with an orthopedic prior to surgery which was only a week later. I had no choice but to have this done since I was headed to possible paralysis if I did nothing.
Posted Today 4:12 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Anet, welcome to the forum. Hopefully the PT will give you some help & relief. When you say you are doing PT at home, is a physical therapist coming to your home? Ice/cold packs are recommended, keep in mind there is a lot of inflammation internally & yes heat can cause issues. Pace yourself with the healing process, it's to your benefit. Surgeons stick to their textbook learning, everyone recovers in 6 weeks, that's simply not true. If only it were that simple. Most people can really tell a difference at the 6 month mark, by 12 months they know if there are any residual problems.

Keep us posted on how you are doing.
Posted Today 7:24 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks!
Going to PT but also doing my own at home. I’m not finishing the last 4 though due to risk of COVID.

My husband put a daily reminder on my calendar that states ‘you had major surgery’ since I tend to want to do more than I’m capable of at times and get impatient.

And not only am I dealing with post surgery healing but I have sjogrens and osteoarthritis in my knees. Next year I’m afraid it’ll be a knee replacement.
Whoever came up with the saying getting old isn’t for the weak sure summed it up correctly.
Posted 4/6/2021 7:14 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,

Same thing happened to me. I had ADCF on July 17th 2020 and still had nerve pain months after. I was seeing the surgeons PA for all of my follow ups and got x-rays before each appt. I kept complaining of nerve pain and he said my x-rays look great and I just needed time to heal. On my last appointment in December I was still complaining of pain down my arms when I sat down on anything with a high back, ie my couch. He once again moved the goal post and said it can now take 6 months to a year for nerves to heal. At that time he cleared me to go back to work. I immediately went home and emailed the surgeon and told him what I was going through. He called me right away and said that it shouldn't take that long for my nerves to heal and apologized for his PA stating that. He asked if I would like an MRI for peace of mind and to make sure everything is in place. Of course I said yes. Well, the MRI still showed severe compression at C5, the very disc that was supposedly worked on. I never received a follow up call from that "Orthopedic" surgeon and instead found a Neurosurgeon to review my MRI. He confirmed the severe compression as well as other issues that were not addressed during my first surgery. I'm now recovering from a 4 level ACDF I had on March 10th. I'm still experiencing nerve pain but it's only been about 3 weeks out so I'm praying it's temporary. The surgeon said my nerves were stretched because of the work done to release compression and the graphs he had to put in. If I were you I would find another /Neurosurgeon, NOT an Orthopedic surgeon and request another MRI. You have to be your own advocate. Praying you find answers.
Posted 6/29/2021 8:42 AM (GMT 0)
Hi I know these posts were long ago but I’m looking for some advice .I had a c5/c6 fusion in March I felt better whilst recovering from home even came off some of my medication then my 3 month recovery was up and I had to go back to work . I feel like I’m back at square one my fazed return wasn’t really fazed return I feel as in much pain as before with a added feeling of intense pressure in my head I feel so down from it I think I thought after being in pain for so many years I would finally be better after surgery but its not gone that way how long will it take to feel normal again .
Posted 6/29/2021 3:30 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Theresab, have you contacted your dr since returning to work & relayed to him what is going on? What kind of work do you do? Drs are often quick to send patients back to work without knowing what kind of work activities the patient does. This really put a person in a bad situation because the employer expects 100% with that release. Personally, I think drs should send people back pat time for 2 weeks to ease people back into their work duties.

I think you phone went on autocorrect because of a word that you used doesn't really fit with what you are saying about the pain.

Everyone's recovery is different, many feel that the 6 month mark is their big turning point. Talk to your dr! Take care.
Posted 6/29/2021 4:13 PM (GMT 0)
Hi , I have spoken to my spinal nurse who has said that work hasn’t been supportive enough and chucked me back right in it to soon ,I’m a manager of a very busy fast food retailer , I had fazed return for 4 weeks which was 4 7 hour shifts for 2 weeks then 5 7 hour shifts the next week 39 hours last week now back to my 42 hours , the second day back somebody rang in sick so I was rushing around doing two peoples jobs with no break in 7 hours the pain was awful I just went home and cried it felt like my body was screaming .The pain was in the same place as before surgery like I’m being stabbed in the back of my shoulder and really bad tension in the back of my neck and head which makes my head feel like It’s going to explode and foggy.I am so tired all the time aswell .
Posted 6/29/2021 4:16 PM (GMT 0)
My spinal nurse said it was all tension from doing to much
Posted 6/29/2021 6:03 PM (GMT 0)
Do you have a good muscle relaxer that you can take, especially at bedtime. If not, get the nurse to call one in. What about cold packs once you are home. Cold packs are what members here all recommended for the type of pain you are describing. Pain wears a person out no doubt.
Posted 7/21/2021 9:36 PM (GMT 0)
Kim,
I hope things are going better for you and I do realize the thread is old. I am in need of this same 4 level surgery on the neck and I am terrified of this making things worse. Just got my MRI results for my neck and back today and things look ugly as expected!
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