Still In Pain 12 Weeks Post Op ACDF

[desertrat25]

Hi,

Thank you for reading this and giving me any info you can. In 1998 I had a severe dirtbike accident and fractured 11 parts of my back, mainly thoracic and cervical vertebrae. In the last two years the neck and upper back pain has become unbearable and I decided to see a neurosurgeon in February 2004 and had ACDF on C/5-C/6 on June 23, 2004. In February the N/S commented that my backed looked like the back of a much older man(I am only 27). I have many degenerated discs mainly in the cervical area. After surgery the N/S commented to my wife that C/6-C/7 needs to be watched closely. After almost 12 weeks since surgery I am still having the same if not worse pain in my upper back and neck. Is this normal? Should I insist on another MRI? I have had to go back to work because my pay was dropped to 66%. My N/S was not crazy about me going work but I had to. I am currently taking Celebrex, Vicodin, and Darvocet. Thank you again for any light you can shed on this situation.

[dennisgb]

Hi,

I had ACDF C5-6 and C6-7 with plate on 6/30. I do not have a lot of pain. I do get muscle spasms if I over do it.

What are your pain symptoms? Could it be spasms?

[desertrat25]

It doesn't feel spasms, but maybe it is. It feels like the exact pain I was having before surgery, thank you for your reply, it appreciate it.

[solardust]

I had c-6-7 done aug 13th, its symptoms were all right side terrible pain, shoulder down arm, woke from operation , right side pain was gone,and had slight left side shoulder pain,NS said that was c 5-6 which is also buldging,but he thought it was too much surgery for me,anyway,last night 1 month to the day I wake up at 3:30 in morn with that right side shoulder pain,"IKES"I took muscle relaxer,! pain pill, put heat on it and rubbed like ben gay stuff on it,talk about over kill, but all that would not have stopped it before, so far , toes crossed, its gone.If asked, I would not have said muscle, it seemed exact as before,hope I do not update with bad news,but but so far dennis has steered me right,it does not take musch to irrate the healing process.Solar

[zoey1]

try to find pain managment that works for you even if you have to use a combination in order to make a dent in how you are feeling

also by month 3 there was noticable improvment for me as long as i took my medications

if one thing isn't working do not be afraid to ask for something else sometimes a combination is best
muslce relaxer / + pain management and stay clear of nasaids most surgeons dont want u take nasids after surgery it can slow down the healing process

oh month 2 there s a good chance your nervs are waking up and that is what you might be exiancing from sharpness in rising up off sofa or recliner or bending down....
nerves take a bit longer to heal then rest of it
oh and a big help for me was ice/ and or heat packs

lots of luck in feeling better and take care of yourself