Neck and shoulder pain after fusion surgery-techniques for reducing?

@jp4355 Joe, it can be the hardware itself causing pain. Some people have immune responses to the foreign materials. I was lucky that I had a cervical fusion with no hardware, and only a natural bone disc implant, and I haven't had much pain from that surgery. When I broke my ankle, I became the owner of internal titanium plates, and within 6 months I had increased throbbing pain and hives. I got those plates removed after a year and a half which was an improvement for my ankle and the sharp pains stopped.

I do know that myofascial release is a long process because there are many layers of it to work through, and I have to keep doing stretches to maintain what I've gained. I mostly do that myself because insurance doesn't want to pay if they consider something maintenance treatment.

You are wanting the rods and screws removed? Other patients have talked about that here on Connect and also said that if was difficult to find a surgeon willing to remove instrumentation without it being a revision surgery to reconstruct the hardware. Here are some discussions I found in the Spine Group with members talking about hardware removal.

Spinal fusion: Hardware removal
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/hardware-removal/
Back fusion hardware removal
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/back-fusion-hardware-removal/
Lumbar hardware removal due to osteomyelitis
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/lumbar-hardware-removal-due-to-osteomyelitis/
I’ve had all my hardware removed after T2-T10 fusion. Ask me anything.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/ive-had-all-my-hardware-removed-after-t2-t10-fusion-ask-me-anything/
I wasn't a fan of steroid injections. I likely had an allergic reaction to something in the mixture which I think was PEG (polyethylene glycol) . I had some sharp electric burning pain caused by an epidural injection that was shooting pain into my hand, and that went on randomly for about 6 weeks. I refused to do more injections when doctors suggested this to me. I am a person who reacts to foreign materials.

I hope you find something that helps you. If you are a person who is reactive, and they can't remove the metal from your body, there are some treatments for immune responses to surgical implants. The field of Environmental Medicine was started by a practice in Dallas, TX. Here is the website of that practice.
https://www.ehcd.com/
Again, welcome to Connect where we can all share what we have learned.
Jennifer

Thanks for your response, Jennifer.
I would say that I'm not reactive to hardware.
I had a Double Hip Replacement in 2016, and 17, and my Hips are doing great.

I've had plenty of Cortisone Shots over many Decades, they either work or they don't.
So, I'm hopeful that these will work.
If not, I'm going to get the Ablation done, I've had Ablation before for the Great Saphenous Veins in both legs, it went great too.

The reason I mention getting the Hardware removed is because the Pain has been getting steadily worse. It started just in my neck going down in-between my shoulder blades.
Then it started to move outward to both Shoulders.
Next, it went around the outer Shoulder on both sides, and into the Collar Bone.
Now I'm feeling it into my Breastbone.
I'm going to request another MRI to check on the hardware placement.
Since I've already had Issues with 2 Screws coming loose.
I'm over at the University of Penn in Philadelphia, Pa.
And the Philadelphia V.A. Hospital, since the doctors from Penn work there and I'm a Veteran.
So, I'm going back a forth between the 2, since they both have access to the Doctor/Patient Portal and can view everything that's going on between doctors.

Thank you again, Jennifer for your time and suggestions.
Joe

Skip the Cortisone injections.I did them for several years and got 3 months out of them.I have been so much happier with Radio Frequency Ablation.I get a good year without pain and i am building a house so very active.

I'm going through the V.A. and their Doctor wants to try the Cortisone shots, before he Authorizes me to go over to Univ. of Penn for the Ablation.
Which is weird to me because this Doc is also from Penn, he splits his time between Penn and the V.A.
I was all set to get the Ablation, but in order for the V.A. to pay, I need this Referral.
So, I have to do the Shots 1st (don't think they are going to work either).
Thanks for your reply.

This Nonsense with my Neck has kept out of work for over 2 years now.
I manage a Farm and was hoping to get back for this year's season.

Yes that was part of the equation for me also.I had to do the cortisone shots 1st before RFA.It was miserable wait too.I just kept getting shots till they were happy enough to give me the RFA and i am retired and on medicare with plan G.

I'm also retired, but I work Part-time managing a Farm.
But because of this Neck, I haven't been there in over 2 years.
I was hoping to get back for this season.
But this nonsense with the V.A. has most likely put a stop to that.

I already went through the 2 Medial Branch Block procedures.
And was all set to get the RFA, till the V.A. put a hold on that procedure.
What really irks me is that the Doctor from the V.A. is also a Penn Medicine Doc.
So, he knows the Doc that was going to do the RFA at Penn.

This waiting and counting the days is a Killer.
I tired of taking all these meds, and I'm still in a lot of pain.
I'm currently on Tramadol, Gabapentin, and Flexeril.
But by the end of the day, I can't lift my head up.
Got to make it till May 9th for the Cortisone Injection.
I'm going to tell the Doc to put in the Referral back to Penn's Pain Clinic.
Cause I know the Cortisone is just a Waste of time.

Thanks for your input,
Joe

1993 I had a cervical fusion with no hardware. Sensitivity to collared shirts and necklaces but adjusted. In 2010 after a car accident the diagnosis was broken facet. Had a fusion with anterior and posterior hardware. I gave instructions that I did not want hardware. The small print states a surgeon can do what he desires. The recovery was horrendous. The surgeon ignored the allergist request of no dermabond. I will send a photo. Posterior hardware removed the following year because it was pressing on the nerve. Since muscle protection was cut I had breakthrough of the cervical spine. A muscle flap was performed. That caused pain,itching and deformity. The muscles were twisted so another surgery that unfortunately removed “steak sized muscle as stated by the surgeon. More deformity and lack of range with my arm which is longer now. Burning cervical spine,winged back,pain,numbness and itching in areas that are difficult to identify. Reporting all of this because I hope it helps to inform everyone that is advised to have a fusion to get multiple opinions and ALTERNATIVES. I needed an advocate that would ask the correct questions. Patient beware. Take control. Find someone that you trust to accompany you to the visits and get copies of all of the labs and tests and office notes. With doctors in the medical field in the family I knew to get them but that does not help with medical mistakes. I have taken control albeit late. I vacillate from anger to sadness neither help. Don’t take the steroids. They keep you from calling the doctor for a short time but it heals nothing only causes more issues. Do stretches, try to maintain a good weight(difficult because eating can bring comfort). Surround yourself with uplifting people. Church has become important not just the doctrine but more important because if you join any of the church ministries,volunteer groups therewill be guaranteed compassion. I am sorry to hear that anyone is suffering after a neck injury and surgery. Hope for healing. Theresa

After back fusion from T2 to S1 I’m having pain in my neck and shoulders and my shoulders have dropped down , I’m going to therapy to stop pain , build muscle and strengthen . I hope you get some relief