RonKorz
04-04-2006, 07:16 PM
Hello , Well I logged on to post a note in the thread I started months back entitled "fusion c5 c6 c7 questions" but for some reason it is closed..??..
Anyways ... I am just about two months post op, and the difference is incredible. I cant speak for anyone but myself, but the ACDF was like a miracle. Instant pain relief in my arm and neck, I had some residual pain after the sx but now it is mostly gone . My neck is still alittle stiff and I have spasms in it, but nothing compared to the pain I had before. So if you are reading this post and you are thinking about having ACDF sx , DO IT. It worked for me. (recap) I had blown out disks that were pushing on my ulnar nerve that ran down my right arm, causing ,pain, throbbing, tingling, blah, blah, blah all that fun stuff from my right ear to the tips of my fingers. It was horrible. But all is well now :) Thanks for all the great advice I received on here from all of you, (you know who you are). :) :) :bouncing: :) :)
Anyways ... I am just about two months post op, and the difference is incredible. I cant speak for anyone but myself, but the ACDF was like a miracle. Instant pain relief in my arm and neck, I had some residual pain after the sx but now it is mostly gone . My neck is still alittle stiff and I have spasms in it, but nothing compared to the pain I had before. So if you are reading this post and you are thinking about having ACDF sx , DO IT. It worked for me. (recap) I had blown out disks that were pushing on my ulnar nerve that ran down my right arm, causing ,pain, throbbing, tingling, blah, blah, blah all that fun stuff from my right ear to the tips of my fingers. It was horrible. But all is well now :) Thanks for all the great advice I received on here from all of you, (you know who you are). :) :) :bouncing: :) :)
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acdfouch
04-04-2006, 08:04 PM
Hello , Well I logged on to post a note in the thread I started months back entitled "fusion c5 c6 c7 questions" but for some reason it is closed..??..
Anyways ... I am just about two months post op, and the difference is incredible. I cant speak for anyone but myself, but the ACDF was like a miracle. Instant pain relief in my arm and neck, I had some residual pain after the sx but now it is mostly gone . My neck is still alittle stiff and I have spasms in it, but nothing compared to the pain I had before. So if you are reading this post and you are thinking about having ACDF sx , DO IT. It worked for me. (recap) I had blown out disks that were pushing on my ulnar nerve that ran down my right arm, causing ,pain, throbbing, tingling, blah, blah, blah all that fun stuff from my right ear to the tips of my fingers. It was horrible. But all is well now :) Thanks for all the great advice I received on here from all of you, (you know who you are). :) :) :bouncing: :) :)
GREAT post and outcome!
How were the weeks up to the point you are at? I'd be a little curious as to the pains that you did have if you are up to posting them.. I know you said they were not like the original ones....
Thanks.
Anyways ... I am just about two months post op, and the difference is incredible. I cant speak for anyone but myself, but the ACDF was like a miracle. Instant pain relief in my arm and neck, I had some residual pain after the sx but now it is mostly gone . My neck is still alittle stiff and I have spasms in it, but nothing compared to the pain I had before. So if you are reading this post and you are thinking about having ACDF sx , DO IT. It worked for me. (recap) I had blown out disks that were pushing on my ulnar nerve that ran down my right arm, causing ,pain, throbbing, tingling, blah, blah, blah all that fun stuff from my right ear to the tips of my fingers. It was horrible. But all is well now :) Thanks for all the great advice I received on here from all of you, (you know who you are). :) :) :bouncing: :) :)
GREAT post and outcome!
How were the weeks up to the point you are at? I'd be a little curious as to the pains that you did have if you are up to posting them.. I know you said they were not like the original ones....
Thanks.
Backinthesaddle
04-04-2006, 11:29 PM
Wow Ouch why can't this be us talking?
Ron you mentioned the pain from the ulnar nerve....I was never told all that was pinching other then the cord itself however one of my major issues is the pain from the ear to fingers. Problem is I still have it 6 weeks post. Ouch asked about your prior pains and I would be curious also. Did your elbows hurt?
Ron you mentioned the pain from the ulnar nerve....I was never told all that was pinching other then the cord itself however one of my major issues is the pain from the ear to fingers. Problem is I still have it 6 weeks post. Ouch asked about your prior pains and I would be curious also. Did your elbows hurt?
mb100
04-05-2006, 11:43 AM
Thats fantastic news Ron! Yours was one of the first threads I read on here, and I read it all. Keep postin your progress.
Take it slow....Mike
Take it slow....Mike
RonKorz
04-05-2006, 03:45 PM
um, well lets see, the first week out of the hopsital wasnt toooo bad, the worst part was not sleeping I couldnt get comfortable, not even that I was in pain, just VERY uncomfortable,.......(prior to sx)yes I had pain in my elbow, It kinda went like this..... from my ear down to my shoulder was a weird achy kind of pain from my shoulder down to my forearm felt like there wasnt any blood going to it and it hurt alot , and down into my fingers it tingled and pinky and part of ring finger was numb, and ohya my right chest muscle also felt kind of numb...what verts did all of you have acdf on? i guess i was kinda lucky being c5c6c7 they dont move as much as 4 thru 1 so the restriction with the fusion isnt as big of a deal....how are all of you doing?.. Mike you said take it slow, your right, i feel so good i feel like i can do anything, this past weekend i went and did some shooting a local range. BIG MISTAKE , I was sore for two days, so I know i have to take it alittle slower...:)
RonKorz
04-05-2006, 03:52 PM
GREAT post and outcome!
How were the weeks up to the point you are at? I'd be a little curious as to the pains that you did have if you are up to posting them.. I know you said they were not like the original ones....
Thanks.
Hi ouch, mostly stiffness and spasms the spasms were worse a few weeks back, i went to a PT appointment and they put those electrode things on my neck and shoulder, it was spasming so bad i didnt even feel the pulses, weird, but im either gettng used to them or they are decreasing, either way its better then it was, whats your deal? how goes the battle? :dizzy:
How were the weeks up to the point you are at? I'd be a little curious as to the pains that you did have if you are up to posting them.. I know you said they were not like the original ones....
Thanks.
Hi ouch, mostly stiffness and spasms the spasms were worse a few weeks back, i went to a PT appointment and they put those electrode things on my neck and shoulder, it was spasming so bad i didnt even feel the pulses, weird, but im either gettng used to them or they are decreasing, either way its better then it was, whats your deal? how goes the battle? :dizzy:
acdfouch
04-05-2006, 04:05 PM
Hi ouch, mostly stiffness and spasms the spasms were worse a few weeks back, i went to a PT appointment and they put those electrode things on my neck and shoulder, it was spasming so bad i didnt even feel the pulses, weird, but im either gettng used to them or they are decreasing, either way its better then it was, whats your deal? how goes the battle? :dizzy:
I guess that pretty much about sums up where I am at - stiffness and spasms - bad.
I forget if you said - how long out are you now? How many weeks did the spasms last? A month? A little more?
Very interested!
Thanks.
I guess that pretty much about sums up where I am at - stiffness and spasms - bad.
I forget if you said - how long out are you now? How many weeks did the spasms last? A month? A little more?
Very interested!
Thanks.
RonKorz
04-05-2006, 05:44 PM
I guess that pretty much about sums up where I am at - stiffness and spasms - bad.
I forget if you said - how long out are you now? How many weeks did the spasms last? A month? A little more?
Very interested!
Thanks.
my sx was on february 9th,... spasms seem to be on the down side now. they were pretty bad the first month or so, still better then the shooting pain down my arm though!
I forget if you said - how long out are you now? How many weeks did the spasms last? A month? A little more?
Very interested!
Thanks.
my sx was on february 9th,... spasms seem to be on the down side now. they were pretty bad the first month or so, still better then the shooting pain down my arm though!
acdfouch
04-05-2006, 06:05 PM
my sx was on february 9th,... spasms seem to be on the down side now. they were pretty bad the first month or so, still better then the shooting pain down my arm though!
Mmmm... Remember the orso part? :)
From what I gather, sounds like they picked up in the middle somewhere there?
If so, that is starting to sound VERY like me and is VERY encouraging.
I really appreciate the input!
In regards to meds, were you taking anything for the spasms?
Mmmm... Remember the orso part? :)
From what I gather, sounds like they picked up in the middle somewhere there?
If so, that is starting to sound VERY like me and is VERY encouraging.
I really appreciate the input!
In regards to meds, were you taking anything for the spasms?
RonKorz
04-05-2006, 07:55 PM
Mmmm... Remember the orso part? :)
From what I gather, sounds like they picked up in the middle somewhere there?
If so, that is starting to sound VERY like me and is VERY encouraging.
I really appreciate the input!
In regards to meds, were you taking anything for the spasms?
Yes, well sorta, they gave me flexeril, it knocked me out so I only took it a couple of times, I dont like that drugged out groggy feeling and that stuff was brutal, for pain they gave me tylox for the first couple of weeks, but i didnt finish the script, i ended up throwing it out
From what I gather, sounds like they picked up in the middle somewhere there?
If so, that is starting to sound VERY like me and is VERY encouraging.
I really appreciate the input!
In regards to meds, were you taking anything for the spasms?
Yes, well sorta, they gave me flexeril, it knocked me out so I only took it a couple of times, I dont like that drugged out groggy feeling and that stuff was brutal, for pain they gave me tylox for the first couple of weeks, but i didnt finish the script, i ended up throwing it out
acdfouch
04-05-2006, 08:01 PM
Yes, well sorta, they gave me flexeril, it knocked me out so I only took it a couple of times, I dont like that drugged out groggy feeling and that stuff was brutal, for pain they gave me tylox for the first couple of weeks, but i didnt finish the script, i ended up throwing it out
Ok.. I would stand to say your spasms probably aren't at my level then... But this is encouraging outcome never the less!
Thanks for the response.
Helps!
Ok.. I would stand to say your spasms probably aren't at my level then... But this is encouraging outcome never the less!
Thanks for the response.
Helps!
Backinthesaddle
04-06-2006, 05:39 PM
Ron wasn't your injury W/C? I forgot how long was it between injury and surgery?
Like Ouch my spasms are much worse then yours. You are one of the lucky ones I have read about on this board. Just take it slow like Mike said. I know when I feel good I overdo it and it hurts worse for days.
K
Like Ouch my spasms are much worse then yours. You are one of the lucky ones I have read about on this board. Just take it slow like Mike said. I know when I feel good I overdo it and it hurts worse for days.
K
RonKorz
04-07-2006, 06:23 PM
Backinthesaddle,
Yes my issue was thru w/c what a pain in the butt they are.... it took about ten months to finally get it all straightened out, they agreed to pay for my sx and its yet to see what my comp. will be......
Yes my issue was thru w/c what a pain in the butt they are.... it took about ten months to finally get it all straightened out, they agreed to pay for my sx and its yet to see what my comp. will be......
SpineAZ
04-08-2006, 07:15 PM
It's so good to hear that you had a good outcome with the fusion. I just finished a second round of epidural injections and this round didn't work, so I think I'm on the way to a C6-7 or possibliy C5-7 ACDF.
How long were you in the cervical collar? I am trying to gauge how long that will be (as I anticipate hating the collar) and wondering when I can get back to work.
How long were you in the cervical collar? I am trying to gauge how long that will be (as I anticipate hating the collar) and wondering when I can get back to work.
kaallis
04-09-2006, 12:23 PM
I am now 4 months past surgery for a C5-6 fusion and returning to work tomorrow. After reading some of the posts, I'm considering myself SO lucky that it went the way it did. The only problems I'm still having are tightness and aching across my shoulders and up my neck towards my head, but after PT with moist heat, ultrasound and DEEP tissue massage it feels a LOT better - hurts like crazy while it's being done, but two days later I'm feeling great! I'm doing PT two to three times a week. Soma for muscle spasms has been helping as well. My surgery was something a little new from what I understand. The plate and pins that I got are bio-degradable and will completly be gone in 18 - 24 months! My ortho-surgeon was incredible and I'll be forever grateful to him. So, just wanted to let you all know that there really IS light at the end of the tunnel.
acdfouch
04-09-2006, 01:31 PM
I am now 4 months past surgery for a C5-6 fusion and returning to work tomorrow. After reading some of the posts, I'm considering myself SO lucky that it went the way it did. The only problems I'm still having are tightness and aching across my shoulders and up my neck towards my head, but after PT with moist heat, ultrasound and DEEP tissue massage it feels a LOT better - hurts like crazy while it's being done, but two days later I'm feeling great! I'm doing PT two to three times a week. Soma for muscle spasms has been helping as well. My surgery was something a little new from what I understand. The plate and pins that I got are bio-degradable and will completly be gone in 18 - 24 months! My ortho-surgeon was incredible and I'll be forever grateful to him. So, just wanted to let you all know that there really IS light at the end of the tunnel.
Sounds like you had the mystique plating. It's really interesting stuff! Its made by the same J&J spinoff company that makes all the titinaium stuff that most docs are still using.
I'd really be interested in hearing how you are doing down the road.
Sounds like you have had somewhat similar symptoms to me along the road... Maybe you just weren't as vocal about them :)
Sounds like you had the mystique plating. It's really interesting stuff! Its made by the same J&J spinoff company that makes all the titinaium stuff that most docs are still using.
I'd really be interested in hearing how you are doing down the road.
Sounds like you have had somewhat similar symptoms to me along the road... Maybe you just weren't as vocal about them :)
kaallis
04-09-2006, 02:13 PM
Yes, I just found this board yesterday and braved it today :) My symptoms were pain in the shoulder, shoulder blades, mostly elbow, and fingers. I'll let you know how it is doing as time goes by.
I forgot to mention that during the surgery he implanted some kind of "ball of protien" that encourages the natural bone growth. He x-rays it once a month up until now and it is all healing nicely. After my last visit I will be going just once every three months now.
I'm kind of concerned about the return to work ... holding my head upright for 8 hours a day, can't hold the phone on my shoulder as I work EVER again. But, the company is very good to us and I'm sure I'll be able to leave if the aching gets bad, or exhausted and I'll just get one of the men to lift any heavy objects for me. I'm looking forward to the return, but I suppose like everyone else, kind of scared.
Anyone else return to work, and how was it?
Thanks!
I forgot to mention that during the surgery he implanted some kind of "ball of protien" that encourages the natural bone growth. He x-rays it once a month up until now and it is all healing nicely. After my last visit I will be going just once every three months now.
I'm kind of concerned about the return to work ... holding my head upright for 8 hours a day, can't hold the phone on my shoulder as I work EVER again. But, the company is very good to us and I'm sure I'll be able to leave if the aching gets bad, or exhausted and I'll just get one of the men to lift any heavy objects for me. I'm looking forward to the return, but I suppose like everyone else, kind of scared.
Anyone else return to work, and how was it?
Thanks!
RonKorz
04-11-2006, 04:56 PM
Yes, I just found this board yesterday and braved it today :) My symptoms were pain in the shoulder, shoulder blades, mostly elbow, and fingers. I'll let you know how it is doing as time goes by.
I forgot to mention that during the surgery he implanted some kind of "ball of protien" that encourages the natural bone growth. He x-rays it once a month up until now and it is all healing nicely. After my last visit I will be going just once every three months now.
I'm kind of concerned about the return to work ... holding my head upright for 8 hours a day, can't hold the phone on my shoulder as I work EVER again. But, the company is very good to us and I'm sure I'll be able to leave if the aching gets bad, or exhausted and I'll just get one of the men to lift any heavy objects for me. I'm looking forward to the return, but I suppose like everyone else, kind of scared.
Anyone else return to work, and how was it?
Thanks!
Kaalis, I returned to work 5 weeks after surgery, I am basically a paperpusher so it wasnt so bad, I was nervous alittle but after 5 weeks at home with my 5 and 8 yr olds I was deffinatley ready to go back to work:)
My recovery has been somewhat on the easy side, I have a 2 level titanium plate with six scews fusion with donor bone. sounds alot worse then it is..lol,
The spasms suck but not bad enough that I regret the surgery. My elbows definatley hurt alot befor the surgery along with my forarms bicepts and shoulders....all is good now eccept for stiffness and spasms... ;)
I forgot to mention that during the surgery he implanted some kind of "ball of protien" that encourages the natural bone growth. He x-rays it once a month up until now and it is all healing nicely. After my last visit I will be going just once every three months now.
I'm kind of concerned about the return to work ... holding my head upright for 8 hours a day, can't hold the phone on my shoulder as I work EVER again. But, the company is very good to us and I'm sure I'll be able to leave if the aching gets bad, or exhausted and I'll just get one of the men to lift any heavy objects for me. I'm looking forward to the return, but I suppose like everyone else, kind of scared.
Anyone else return to work, and how was it?
Thanks!
Kaalis, I returned to work 5 weeks after surgery, I am basically a paperpusher so it wasnt so bad, I was nervous alittle but after 5 weeks at home with my 5 and 8 yr olds I was deffinatley ready to go back to work:)
My recovery has been somewhat on the easy side, I have a 2 level titanium plate with six scews fusion with donor bone. sounds alot worse then it is..lol,
The spasms suck but not bad enough that I regret the surgery. My elbows definatley hurt alot befor the surgery along with my forarms bicepts and shoulders....all is good now eccept for stiffness and spasms... ;)
JoshuasMom
04-22-2006, 04:51 PM
Ron,
Could you describe your elbow pain? I have lots of elbow pain in my left arm. When ever I try and left anything with my left arm I get shooting pains in my elbow. I also have lots of shoulder blade pain.
I saw the Ortho Spine Surgeon on Thursday. He says I have two herniated disk and lots of bone spurs. I am going for and epidual on Wednesday. If this does not work.....he said they will need to schedule me for surgery. Said he would remove both disk and replace with bone from my hip.
Did you have the surgery taking bone from your hip?
I can't do much typing or my elbow starting hurting.
What is the surgery called when they take bone from your hip. I have herniated disk at C5-6 and C6-7. He did say they would go in from the front of my neck.
Thanks
Kim
Could you describe your elbow pain? I have lots of elbow pain in my left arm. When ever I try and left anything with my left arm I get shooting pains in my elbow. I also have lots of shoulder blade pain.
I saw the Ortho Spine Surgeon on Thursday. He says I have two herniated disk and lots of bone spurs. I am going for and epidual on Wednesday. If this does not work.....he said they will need to schedule me for surgery. Said he would remove both disk and replace with bone from my hip.
Did you have the surgery taking bone from your hip?
I can't do much typing or my elbow starting hurting.
What is the surgery called when they take bone from your hip. I have herniated disk at C5-6 and C6-7. He did say they would go in from the front of my neck.
Thanks
Kim
RonKorz
04-25-2006, 09:37 PM
hi joshuasmom,
I did not have bone takin from my hip, i had donor bone and they didnt remove my verts they just sucked out the fluid that herniated out of them and put a plate over them to fuse them for stability... i had the shooting pain prior to my surgery too, now i just have a dull achy pain sometimes...
I did not have bone takin from my hip, i had donor bone and they didnt remove my verts they just sucked out the fluid that herniated out of them and put a plate over them to fuse them for stability... i had the shooting pain prior to my surgery too, now i just have a dull achy pain sometimes...
geoffrey
04-26-2006, 02:29 AM
hi everyone, i had the ACDF with bone graft from my right hip and that is very painful. i asked for a walker when i was able to get out of bed and it helped me to move around while in the hospital, wish i had brought it home with me. i was in a lot of pain from the hip more than the neck after surgery, but i pushed myself to walk around the floor at the hospital and it helped me to get out of the hospital quicker. i had the severe numbness on the left side which made my life a living hell being left handed. everyone is different in what happens to them, read everything you can on this board, i did not find healthboards until almost a year after the surgery. i had my surgery on 8/1/02 and i am still fighting to return to normal. learn everything you can about your surgeon, mine was nice in the beginning before surgery and then useless after surgery. i wish you the best joshuas mom.