Hello Ms. Smith,
I am 7 days post op ACDF surgery 4/5 - 5/6 with bone graft from the illiac - crest and I have signifigant pain, especially in my shoulder muscles. It's difficult to get comfortable and find that right spot so you can lay down and rest. It's a bit of a battle but the good news is, once you're settled in and can relax, the pain is relieved until you have to get up again and repeat the same process. The key here is to move into different positions by pushing throught the pain. If you don't move you get really stiff and you know it's going to hurt to reposition again. I've been using a hot pad across my shoulder and that makes the pain settle down. I still feel dysphagia and I read online that it may take awhile to get your voice back to it's usual sound. I still can't eat a regular meal and I'm sticking to soft foods and cold popsicles at this time. I have a band waiting for my return and I sure hope I will be able to sing again. I have to admit these days are a bit trying on me. Today I'm not going anywhere. I need rest. I've also had 2 knee replacements and that is painful too. I used a walker every chance I got to get around. That was 7years ago with the last knee replacement. I remember the pain and the swelling!
It was really hard to try and walk and not put too much pressure on the knee. Both my kneews were replaced and they feel like normal knees to me. The pain from the neck is coming from all the muscles that surround the neck. I'm trying to find a way to get up and off the bed and visa verca and avoid the neck muscle pain that I feel. It often times hit 10! during the process of moving. Once I'm up walking or in a chair, it feels pretty good.
Don't be "terrified" of what kind of pain you will experience. Use your pain medication, your long lost buddy has returned to you after your knee replacements! Hope you feel better. Although I understand there's a lot involved in cervical neck fusion it will hurt after the surgery, not going to lie. If you made it through knee replacement surgery and experienced signifigant pain, I KNOW you can handle cervical fusion. Good luck to you!