Quick Question?? - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

Magui · 02-01-2004, 07:12 PM

Hello Everyone! Good Evening! I recently had an ACDF at c6-c7. I had the surgery October 29th . Not all the pain is gone, but the doctor said it takes a while to feels the affects of the surgery (sometimes up to two years). I can already tell a difference, but I still do have pain

Anyway, back to the question. Before the surgery I did not have this problem. I now have an irratable pain/ache in between my shoulder blades and in my collarbone area. Does anyone have this as well? It is very annoying. I can't go to sleep well and I always feel my chest is tight. Is there anything I can do to relieve this pain? Is this something to bug the doctor about? Thanks!

nero · 02-02-2004, 08:51 PM

Hi there,

I had same thing at c5-6 level November 10/03.

I understand your symptoms; in fact, I feel we tend to trade one set of symptoms for another set that are frankly more tolerable but make you uneasy till you adapt to these new signs of pain.

My chiro is very informed and actually helped get me to my best choice of surgeon. He, in conjunction with massage therapist are going to do my physio (aty my request ) as he has seen my condition prior to the surgery and knows what sets me off, the type of day I have and how my body adapts etc.

I can honestly say the chest tightness I had before surgery and actually is indicative of neck problems although very few g.p.'s know how to diagnose disc pain from my experience.

There are trigger points on the ribs in your back between your shoulder blade that you could massage out with small tennis ball in stocking behind your blades against the wall or a chair. The muscles down the side of your neck you can massage while watching tv.. with the opposite hand/fingers and you can work on the deep knotty muscles across your shoulder blades up to the base of your neck. Many muscles feel very sore and the knots are nasty when you first touch down on them but this a good sore that YOU can work out. You really need some instruction in person but what I offer is a start.

Be aware that it hurts to massage these areas BUT after a while the tension is lifted and the pulling that your neck is now doing because of the fusion on these muscles dissipates.

TRY IT. Self help is the answer as the surgeon will probably have no idea what you are complaining about.. he/she did their job.. the rest is up to you find out about and be proactive.... at least generally that is what happens with most of us ... you are on your own for a new phase that you must now seek out the right person to help you with.

Good luck.. nothing a nice glass of French wine won't help as well.

Nearly new again... Nero

feelbad · 02-03-2004, 08:16 AM

Just wanted to say ditto on the tennis ball!!!My pt was stopped because according to the ins co, i just wasn't making enough progress,Even though the deep massages that i was getting there reduced my pain to a much more tolerable level for at least a day(I'll take ANY relief from this torture,even if its just a day)I still don't understand the reasoning behind these ins companies.Now wouldn't you think that as long as you are making ANY progress that it would be reason enough to continue?Anyway, sorry. The tennis ball is about the only way that i can get any relief from these horrid knots that keep persisting in my upper shoulders.You can actually see the knots up there.My right shoulder is so tight that my shoulderblade is actually pulled up and my shoulders are no longer symmetrical.That tennis ball is truely a life saver for me.And you are right nero with regard to it being a "good hurt" when you hit on one of these trigger points and start to grind it away.I find it much easier and can apply a much better release when i am against the wall verses a chair.Any way Magui,give it a try,i guarentee that this will help relieve at least some of the tension and pain.The only problem that I have is trying to keep the dang ball out of the reach of the dog. take care, Marcia

Magui · 02-05-2004, 10:27 PM

Thank you both for your advice! I will have to try it! I will try anything. I don't know where all this muscle tension came from. I am sure it is just something that happens after surgery. I am sure when they are working on your neck they move all your muscles around. Thank you again!