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ACDF Post Op healing and pain

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Chronic Pain
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Posted 3/15/2023 4:21 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, new to this forum so please be gentle.
I had pain in my neck and left shoulder for more than 5 years and put it down to muscle ache, physio helped somewhat until I woke up one morning (6th January 2023) in excruciating pain. Everything was closed due to Xmas/New Year but managed to see a physio and an unfamiliar general practitioner (gave me Panadeine forte and told me to take no more than 2 in 24 hrs) The physiotherapy allowed me to move my neck more freely... after two days I went to the hospital. After doing a MRI of my neck and shoulder and hours of no relief from any pain killers they were giving me I was admitted. four days later I had a cortisone injection which gave slight relief so they sent me home. Two days after that I was back in the hospital and admitted for emergency surgery 2 days later. Hence I never got to research ACDF surgery.
I had ACDF surgery to c4-5 on Jan 18th 2023.
The pain in my left arm has gone, but my neck and shoulder are giving me a lot of pain. I was advised I wouldn't need physio and went home 2 days after surgery.
The surgeon really didn’t give any instructions other than use pain relief as required, which by the way reaked havoc with my digestive system. Normally people seem to become constipated but in my case I had diarrhoea, I am restricted to paracetamol for relief and it doesn’t do a lot so I find most of my day reclining and resting my neck back on a neck pillow.
I have chronic pain in my neck and left shoulder along with frequent headaches at the lower back of my head.
Travelling in the car when my husband drives is very painful with every bump…
My first question is can physio help?
It’s about 8 weeks since surgery, shouldn’t the pain be settling?
I saw the surgeon a week ago and he was happy with the healing, with evidence of some bone growth starting… I’m fortunate I don’t have to go to work, but I find any thought of going anywhere daunting and a painful experience.
My husband says I should just rest as in sit in the recliner all day, but that can’t be good for my heart or my mind even.

Post Edited (Tanya-Oz) : 3/15/2023 3:15:28 PM (GMT-8)

Posted 3/15/2023 3:39 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Tanya, welcome to the forum. Eight weeks out from surgery is not that long even though it feels like it is. You need to give everything time to settle down, your body went through changes. Learn how to pace yourself with activities, when the pain upticks, rest. Lots of members use cold packs to help with the pain. Do you have a muscle relaxer that you can take? If not, by all means ask your dr for a prescription for a muscle relaxer. Right now your muscles are tensed up, being stressed causes further tension.

Yes, physical therapy is a must & it would be beneficial to your recovery. When do you see your dr again? Yes, you need to get up & move around, be sure to go outside every day & get some fresh air. If you are having some warm days, go sit in the sun for a few minutes.

Keep us posted.
Posted 3/15/2023 6:59 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Susie,
It was a very traumatic experience and I felt I should have been healing quicker. My dr has told me very little about what to expect.
I’ll keep the forum posted.
Posted 4/28/2023 1:08 AM (GMT 0)
So, three months since surgery. My voice is back to normal, pain for the most part is isolated to my neck and some days are worse than others.
I have decided to refrain from pain meds unless it escalates to a 5/10. So managing without panadol even.
Still have episodes of waking in the night or in the morning with neck pain, but for the most part I'm coping well.
Still very wary of lifting heavy objects (more than say 2 kilos) and bending to tilting the head to look in the cupboard. looking down to do a puzzle puts strain on the neck and I try to avoid this.
My main hobby is tending to my orchids which for the most part are hanging from the awning out the back, it has been a challenge in reaching for them and monitoring their health. I have taken to lifting each down to care for them.
Started Physio about 4 weeks ago and the massaging helps with the pain in the shoulder and base of the skull.
House work is exhausting still... Will be glad once the 12 months milestone has been reached.
Posted 4/29/2023 7:24 PM (GMT 0)
Tanya, it sounds like you are progressing well. Having patience is hard for those of us that are active.

The pain you are having is normal. Are you taking a muscle relaxer, it would really help you out. If you are not on one, ask your dr to give you a script for one, it's always good to have some on hand.

As more weeks go by you will feel better. You might ask to extend your PT for a few extra weeks.

Keep us posted.
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