Anyone With These Post-Surgery Symptoms? - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

LEONDAS · 12-13-2004, 12:12 PM

I had acdf surgery at the C3/C4 level 10 weeks ago. After the surgery I thankfully regained the ability to raise my arms and perform fine motor skills like writing and flossing my teeth. But I have a residual numbness that becomes a burning sensation in my hands and fingers if I use them for everyday tasks like yard work, doing dishes, writing,etc. I've been in physical therapy for five weeks and was told that this annoying sensation may take a year to disappear or may not go away at all. I'm interested in any srories of similar symptoms and improvements over time.

EktarEd · 12-16-2004, 12:22 PM

I too have had an ACDF at C3-4 and am experiencing the same symptoms. I also am of the opinion that it is going to take some time to fully recover which I am sure we both will.
After surgery I ended up with an ovenighter in ICU. It seems that I was not able to breathe well enough to leave me off a ventilator.
I am 4 weeks post op this comming Monday and have not been bothered with the sore throat for over a week now. The Dr. said I would be singing in no time. This rathered schocked me as I was not able to sing well before the surgery. I wondered if he had given me the blue light special and thrown in something special.

Best wishes,
Ed

LEONDAS · 12-16-2004, 05:35 PM

Thanks for the reply, Ed. I ended up in the ICU myself both before and after my acdf as I was admitted with a blood sodium level considered dangerously low for surgery. I had an IV drip to build the sodium level up to normal and the surgery was postponed for a day. My sore throat symptoms went away after several weeks and the motor skills returned after several days. Buttoning a shirt requires a lot of effort but I can do it. My writing is getting better and easier although it tends to make my hands burn if I do a lot.

Best wishes for your complete recovery. I know patience is required. Tom

zoey1 · 12-18-2004, 04:20 PM

Burning has been said to be nerves recovering or waking up per say

i had the burning go away at month 3 and by month 4 most if not all the numbness went away.

Please still remember to take it easy you are still very early in recovery period.........

LEONDAS · 12-19-2004, 08:20 PM

I had even worse burning in my hands before my surgery. At least now it isn't present constantly, only when I trigger it with activity. I need to talk again to my neurologist for an understanding of the symptom as it was he who assigned physical therapy knowing that I reacted this way to using my hands. I'm keeping in mind that only three months have passed since surgery. Tom