Have a question regarding cervical fusion and vocal coard issues. - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

slipperyslope · 11-21-2006, 02:06 PM

Hello all, I am posting for my good friend Linda. this is her message, can anyone tell us of this is normal or not to have this vocal coard issue after a cervical fusion?

Thanks,

The procedure that I had done is: Anterior Cervical Discectomy and fusion. And is my case, I had C5-6, C6-7 done. Right now, 4 1/2 weeks after surgery, if I talk continuously for 1/2 hr or more, my vocal cords feel like they are burning and my voice gets spent and weak. Like having laryngitis, along with burning vocal cords. It goes away in an hour or two if talking is kept to an absolute minimum. Hot tea and Halls hard candies for the throat helps soothe the irritation.

dennisgb · 11-21-2006, 02:20 PM

Hi,

I had the same surgery 2 1/2 years ago and am a singer.

I experienced the same issues, and found that I wasn't able to use my voice properly for about 2 months.

your friend should limit the amount of time she is talking to less than 1/2 hour, and then gradually increase over the next few weeks. She should be fine soon.

BTW, this is a very normal symptom. The vocal cords are irritated during the surgery. Most docs tell you this prior to surgery.

Dennis

ember919 · 11-21-2006, 06:46 PM

Unfortunately, damage to the esophagus is a risk with ACDF surgery. In most cases, it is temporary and will go away. Some people only have trouble for a day or two, and some have trouble for months.

I had difficulty with long and/ or loud conversations (and singing along with the radio

) for a couple of months. I didn't have a burning sensation as much as just a dull ache. But rest usually made it better.

AZOREANgal · 11-29-2006, 11:39 AM

Have they checked the hardware ( screws and plate)? Maybe they could be somehow loose or misplaced and protruding into the esophagus area. Just a thought. A CT or Myelogram may be able to determine if a screw is irritating the area. Sorry about you situation. Good luck.

slipperyslope · 12-05-2006, 11:22 AM

I Just wanted to post an update on my friend who had the cervical fusion and is having issues with her voice cutting in and out and going out on her.

she went and saw a throat Dr and he put a tube up through her nose right into her throat where her vocal coards are and checked them out and they are moving totally normally and she is fine. The Dr just told her that it takes time for them to heal as they were moved and messed with, so she needs to be patient and it give it time to heal.

so all is good for her. The only bad thing is that she is smoking cigs again and that is a HUGE NO, NO, when you have a fusion like that, she is not going to heal properly and I am so worried about her but what can i do? she thinks cuz the Dr x-rayed her neck and told her she is fusing well, she thinks that she is all healed now and can resume smoking again.. that is so not the case as it will take a lot longer than 6 weeks to heal. I wish she wouldn't smoke and I have told her how bad it is for the bones to fuse but she does't believe me...

SS