3 months post-op - new pain - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

Payton02 · 07-02-2007, 08:03 AM

Hello everyone. It's been awhile since I've posted on this board. I had a one level acdf with donor bone and plate (c6/7) at the end of February. I had herniated discs at both C6/7 and C5/6, but was advised to only fuse the one level since C5/6 was not causing any problems. I had an x-ray at three months and was told that everything looked very good. I was fully released with no restrictions. I asked if I could start doing Pilates and was told to go ahead and use my own judgement. I have a Pilates performer, so I started very slowly. After one week I woke up with a very stiff and sore neck on the right side - which is the side that the other disc is herniated on. I never had any symptoms on the right side previously. I believed that this was just a result of maybe overdoing it, and have refrained from any exercise for the last five days. I have almost more pain and soreness in the neck area today. It is very stiff and difficult to turn. I do not have any of the neurological symptoms that I had the first time (numbness, etc.). I am really worried that I screwed something up. Any suggestions?

SpineAZ · 07-02-2007, 09:28 PM

If the pain keeps up be sure to see your doctor as soon as possible. Personally I restricted any neck exercise for 12 months until I was 100% sure of good fusion and muscle recovery.

julyg · 07-06-2007, 05:39 PM

I found even physical therapy at 3 months post op was too much too soon.

The moist heat and ultrasound and tens was fine, but the exercises were creating new spasms and stiffness. I stopped the p/t and started to heal.

We need to listen to our bodies, and yours does not sound ready for that kind of activity just yet!

Dutchgirl · 07-07-2007, 11:22 AM

I'm sorry to hear about the new pain. That also happens to me whenever I do any kind of exercise or even stretching for more than 10 min. I really hate that they say "you should be able to go back to normal activity" at such an early stage! Your only 3 mos. post op and Pilates seems kind of extreme and hard on the neck to be doing at this point and time. I would just walk if you can and let pain be your guide.

I had the same exact situation as yours (except for the other way around) and had herniations also on C6/7 and C5/6, and they also (as a conservative measure) took out only the one level (C5/6), but then not even 9 mos. later C6/7 had to be taken out too. Soooo please take it very easy and be careful, because the discs around the one that has been removed will try and overcompensate for the one that is gone, which could make them weaker.

Also I had the same pain after doing exercise. Ice packs on my neck helped quite a bit and taking ibuprofen. And like everyone here keeps reminding me "Rest, Rest, Rest and more Rest (if possible anyways). Just keep an eye on it and I would let your doc know what happened.

Take care!

SKZ · 07-07-2007, 02:05 PM

I started P.T. 6 weeks post op. (end of Feb.). I got all flared up when I went on a vacation in May. I posted all about this. Now that I have stopped doing any upper body exercises, I feel much better. I was thinking maybe another level was starting to go, but I am now thinking its more muscular.