Stiffness question - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

DELTA 22 · 06-10-2007, 06:03 PM

I'm 11 days out 3 level ACDF...can someone tell how long before the stiffness and soreness goes away? Is there any OTC meds I can take to help myself feel better?

michelle64 · 06-15-2007, 06:45 PM

Hey, Delta. I talked with you briefly a few weeks ago and wanted to give you an update. I'm the one who had several areas of compression on my spinal cord. Well, neuro says ACDF at least at C-4 through C-7. I also have some problems above and below these levels, but he will wait to decide what to do about those once he gets in there. He also said this surgery is not really intended to get me out of pain. It is to keep me from becoming paralyzed. I am so scared, and the last time we talked I felt very comfortable talking with you. Any words of wisdom you can share? He said I will have permanent nerve damage as well. He plans to use bone from the bone bank as well as the plate. I am now having additional problems involving my gait. My legs just don't seem to work right anymore.

DELTA 22 · 06-15-2007, 09:30 PM

Hi, Michelle I feel like a new woman since my ACDF...before my legs ached 24/7 my feet burned...my hands were numb all the time...I felt like an 90 year old....I had nerve zaps all over my body...all this has gone away since the surgery..

I had my two week check up this past wednesday the plate and screws all look good...I have to wear the soft collar for 3 months..no lefting or pulling or driving...As far as the surgery, I loved the team and nurses and was up about walking in my room only a few hours after the surgery. THE WORSE PART WAS A SORE THROAT LIKE YOU CANT IMAGINE!....but once I got my pain med changed to a liquid, I got better.

My shoulders get tired and my head feels too heavy for my body but after I rest it gets better...If you have small children you will need help after the surgery. Its just me and my husband, so I can go at my own pace and I think that is one reason I'm doing so well. I wish you the best Michelle and if I can answer any question just let me know...

captnanny · 06-16-2007, 02:59 AM

For me the real bad stiffness lasted about two weeks but then it's different for everyone because after the stiffness came the nerve feelings, feeling refiring or just weird. I am eight weeks out and still am in a lot of pain but I only had two out of four done. I have to give more time but more of the time than not I am much better than before the surgery with bad days and good days where before it hurt to even get off the floor everyday.

SpineAZ · 06-16-2007, 04:16 PM

To be honest I would expect stiffness for quite a while. I had an aspen collar on for 6 weeks post-surgically and then after I got that off I'd say I had significant stiffness for another 4 weeks until my body got used to moving in a new way. You are using a new combination of muscles to move around as the basic structure of your neck changes with fusion.

I found the need for vicodin occasionally for 3-4 months post surgically along with muscle relaxants (flexeril or valium). Many surgeons, mine among them, advise avoiding ibuprofen, aspirin and naprsyn for up to 6 months post surgically so as to not inhibit fusion.