jjmaxx

I can relate. Had two level ACDF (c5-7) in March. Pain in left shoulder and numbness in left hand/arm after surgery was about 4x greater than before surgery. In May it levelled off to be about 2x worse than before surgery, where it stands now. As of about one month ago, I started getting pain in my right shoulder and numbness in my right hand--never had any problems with the right side before surgery.

Did an EMG two weeks ago and all looked fine. Did another MRI last week with and without contrast, and it shows that I now have a small central protusion in c4-c5--this was not there prior to surgery. NS says that it is too small to be causing any pain or numbness. He basically referred me to a physiatrist and said he can't diagnose why I still have pain, numbness, and now the same problems on the right side as I have on my left. Washed his hands and said nothing he can do for me because he can't see or diagnose anything. I am wondering if I now have permanent nerve problems--I asked him that and he said it is possible.

Buyer beware with this surgery.