souffoue
06-18-2007, 08:24 PM
I went for my two months post op appt (saw someone different - originally at 1 month post op I was told to wear c-collar for another 2 months) Well - I was thrilled to hear at this appt that I no longer had to wear the c-collar or a soft collar or ANY collar!!!!! I guess different docs feel differently about the whole collar issue.
My x-rays look good - at 2 months there is already new bone growth and the PA seemed really pleased with that. He told me "you are released from neurosurgery" I asked him if I needed to make a return appt for later down the road. He told me no - I was done. Don't get me wrong - I am thrilled with my progress, but I would think that I would need another appt. in 4 months (6 months post - op) to check the fusion and see how things are going. Do most people have two post op appts and that is it??
Also - do most of you have PT after the collar is off? I am not doing PT - PA said they only do that for elderly patients . . .
So this is my first day (well half day) of being at work with no collar and I tell you - I definitely feel it -- the pain is not nearly as bad or even in the same spot as pre-op. The PA told me the pain that I would feel would be "muscle" pain. I feel like one great big huge knot.
What can I do to relieve the muscle pain - ice, heat?? Should I be having PT?
Thanks for the help as usual!
I hope everyone else is doing well!!!!
My x-rays look good - at 2 months there is already new bone growth and the PA seemed really pleased with that. He told me "you are released from neurosurgery" I asked him if I needed to make a return appt for later down the road. He told me no - I was done. Don't get me wrong - I am thrilled with my progress, but I would think that I would need another appt. in 4 months (6 months post - op) to check the fusion and see how things are going. Do most people have two post op appts and that is it??
Also - do most of you have PT after the collar is off? I am not doing PT - PA said they only do that for elderly patients . . .
So this is my first day (well half day) of being at work with no collar and I tell you - I definitely feel it -- the pain is not nearly as bad or even in the same spot as pre-op. The PA told me the pain that I would feel would be "muscle" pain. I feel like one great big huge knot.
What can I do to relieve the muscle pain - ice, heat?? Should I be having PT?
Thanks for the help as usual!
I hope everyone else is doing well!!!!
Sponsor
poopoopadoop
06-18-2007, 10:37 PM
Hi,
I only had one post op visit at my NS office and was released (at 6 wks). I asked him about PT and he said I didn't need it - only if a specific problem arose. I cannot help with the muscle spasm issue as I was never in a hard collar. I also, btw, am 2 months out from ACDF and doing well.
Congrats on your new freedom,
Lisa
I only had one post op visit at my NS office and was released (at 6 wks). I asked him about PT and he said I didn't need it - only if a specific problem arose. I cannot help with the muscle spasm issue as I was never in a hard collar. I also, btw, am 2 months out from ACDF and doing well.
Congrats on your new freedom,
Lisa
monarog
06-18-2007, 11:30 PM
Hi,
I was "released" from neurosurgery appts. at 9 wks post-op. Never had a collar, told I was already 90% fused. Still have lots of pain and tons of neuro problems, but that's my experience as far as follow-up. Sorry don't have input as far as ice or heat as a cure for spasms; I am still dealing with way too many issues and haven't figured out any resolution at this point. Good luck. Mona
I was "released" from neurosurgery appts. at 9 wks post-op. Never had a collar, told I was already 90% fused. Still have lots of pain and tons of neuro problems, but that's my experience as far as follow-up. Sorry don't have input as far as ice or heat as a cure for spasms; I am still dealing with way too many issues and haven't figured out any resolution at this point. Good luck. Mona
gia1
06-19-2007, 03:11 PM
HURRAY for you, I have a 7week post op next Wednesday. Hope I get released from my aspen.
souffoue
06-19-2007, 05:49 PM
Thanks for the responses! Great to hear you are all doing well!!
Good luck Gia - I will think good thoughts for you!
I was shocked when the PA (first time seeing this particular PA) told me I didn't have to wear the hard collar anymore! The other PA told me at least 3 months post op. I have been in some sort of collar since 2/19 and I am thrilled to be free of it.
Hopefully the pain I am having now will subside soon! Good luck to everyone!!!
Good luck Gia - I will think good thoughts for you!
I was shocked when the PA (first time seeing this particular PA) told me I didn't have to wear the hard collar anymore! The other PA told me at least 3 months post op. I have been in some sort of collar since 2/19 and I am thrilled to be free of it.
Hopefully the pain I am having now will subside soon! Good luck to everyone!!!
SKZ
06-19-2007, 06:54 PM
I had an orthopedic spinal surgeon do my surgery in Jan. I have gone in post op at 10 days, 1 month, 3 months, and go in for my 6 month in July. Then I have a 9 month and even an 18 month post op appt. Go figure.
I also have been going to PT since I was 6 weeks post op. I am very glad I have because I really think I needed it. I was down to every other week, but I torqued my upper back when I was pulling luggage in NYC, and also the taxis really yanked me around. So I am going every week for a few weeks to stay on top of things. Lots of variation on this board. Oh yea, I didnt wear a collar and had a 2 level fusion.
I also have been going to PT since I was 6 weeks post op. I am very glad I have because I really think I needed it. I was down to every other week, but I torqued my upper back when I was pulling luggage in NYC, and also the taxis really yanked me around. So I am going every week for a few weeks to stay on top of things. Lots of variation on this board. Oh yea, I didnt wear a collar and had a 2 level fusion.
SpineAZ
06-19-2007, 10:57 PM
I did not need PT after getting the collar off at 6 weeks post-op. The doctor said as long as I took it easy and gradually increased my range of motion I was fine. If you have any severe symptoms of being unable to move then PT might be something you would want to request.
The muscle pain makes sense. Your neck now has new mechanics in how it works. So you have muscles that have been protected in the collar and now they have to do more work to learn their new function (the fusion changes the dynamics of the muscle movement). The muscles will compensate and hopefully the pain will subside. I am a HUGE fan of the icy hot type patches. They seem to help me a great deal.
The muscle pain makes sense. Your neck now has new mechanics in how it works. So you have muscles that have been protected in the collar and now they have to do more work to learn their new function (the fusion changes the dynamics of the muscle movement). The muscles will compensate and hopefully the pain will subside. I am a HUGE fan of the icy hot type patches. They seem to help me a great deal.