Better post op treatments for thoracic fusion?

eolive

I have recently had 2 surgeries to finish the fusion of my cervical spine and fusion of my thoracic spine. I have hereditary degenerative disk disease. In Sept. 2013 my doctor fused C2-C3 and did a revision of the already fused C-3 to C-7. My total cervical spine is fused, except of course C1-C2 (which I understand is never fused). Then 3 days after that fusion, my doctor fused T1-T2. I am having a harder time healing the thoracic fusion. [B]I wonder if I should be wearing a brace to promote properly aligned healing and support for my thoracic fusion? Does anyone have any experience with using a brace for thoracic fusion and believe for good reason that a brace should be used post op, instead of going without a brace?[/B] I have osteopenia so my bones are not strong and I also have hypoparathyroidism (failure of my parathyroid glands) and so I have calcium absorption problems. I am now 3 months post op and find that I have pain searing to my elbow and wrist because I leaned to far to reach something or slept wrong...I don't know exactly what brought the pain on because I didn't feel any pain until hours later. This is my 3rd day with pain. I didn't have such pain after the surgery but notice that I am starting to have different pains that I did not have immediately post op. I think this is happening because I am moving more. [B]Tell me what you think. Is this normal pain for post op healing of a thoracic fusion?[/B]