Update:returned to work too soon after ACDF

Hello all! I went back to the doctor last Thursday for my official visit after realizing that I should not have went back to work only 3 weeks after ACDF. The NP was great. Agreed with doctor that I had returned too soon. My X-rays look good and the screws seemed to be set well.

So I am recovering from my set-back. My extreme exhaustion is easing. Getting stronger each day. My mental focus is also improving. Back on full-strength muscle relaxers with pain meds as needed. Now that I am out of the cervical collar, I have much more neck, arm, and shoulder pain. Home PT exercises are tough but any PT is at first...

My right arm is still very tender to any pressure or muscle flexion. The numbness in my fingers is improved some. I've been told it may take 6-12 months for all of this to settle down. I plan to take this week off then I have a 2 week planned vacation that I am going to keep. I'm hoping that when I return from vacation, I will be ready to give work another try. Right now, the thought of going back to my high pressure, fast paced work environment scares me!

As Straydog mentioned, it's very common to be sore after taking the collar off. I only had to wear a collar for my first cervical fusion but that was because I didn't have any hardware. The last two the collar was only for the first few days, but it's all dependent on the surgeon.

Just take things really slow and realize that you are going to have a few setbacks here and there the more busy you get and the more you do the PT. I was able to go back to work after 4 weeks with the first fusion but I did most of it from home. I'm surprised that they let you go back so early as they usually have the 4 weeks as the time that you should not be driving.

I continue to do PT moves at home with daily stretching to keep myself limber and strong and I am over 6 years out from my last fusion!

I hope you can enjoy your vacation:)

It's really hard to say whether you will be ready by June...everyone is so different with their recovery.

I would just take it one day at a time and try and talk with your supervisors before you come back if there is any way to have you come back in a progression of days working up to full time eventually. As well as if there are maybe other types of job activities that you can do that are less physical to start with when you return.

On your vacation, just do what you and your Dr. are ok with and let the family still do the other things that are more physically demanding and you can take pics:) This way you all can spend plenty of family time together but also not keep them from any activities that were already planned.

I know it's hard to be the odd one out...believe me....I've been through it many times with my surgeries so I know it's hard to do, but you don't want to do anything that will set back your recovery. I am someone who absolutely LOVES rollercoasters and there was this huge youth group trip that was at a theme park about a month after my surgery and I was the one who held everyone's "stuff" while they road all the rides:( But still had a good time seeing them have fun.

Let us know how it goes..