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Neck and shoulder pain after fusion surgery-techniques for reducing?
Spine Health | Last Active: 5 days ago | Replies (33)Comment receiving replies
4.5 years after Cervical Fusion C2 to T1, did real well for the first 8. -10 months. Then the pain started, the pain is hard to describe but it feels like a lot of pressure on both sides of neck and from shoulder to shoulder, it has gotten worse this last year. Many MRI, CT scans have been done. I’ve been to three neurosurgeons, orthopedic, neurologist for nerve studies (4), pain management Dr’s (3) . Many cortisone injections, and other treatments. Today I went to a new pain management and he is suggesting getting a nerve implant stimulator. After reading all the side effects I’m not convinced.
I do use a tens unit and a neck collar (7 days a week) that helps. The only relief I get is at night, thank god.
Replies to "4.5 years after Cervical Fusion C2 to T1, did real well for the first 8. -10..."
I would highly suggest Radio Frequency Ablation. It works great, allowed me to be pain free even during exercise etc. years after my very successful c5 c7- but must be done by a very skilled Pain Mgmt doctor or could cause more problems. They burn the medial branch nerves that are not visable on imaging. These tiny nerves when burnt, stop the pain signals to the brain. It can last at minimum 6 months but more up to 1 to 1.5 years. If done my the right person. Also Trigger points, your muscles are probably in spasm due to limited motion, strain, stress from the lack of movement due to the fusion. Again, this is not invasive at all, but many Pain Mgmt doctors do not feel w their hands for all the areas w the knots ( or do dry needling), which does mot help or they just follow a Trigger point diagram. Hope this makes sence.
I have a question for you.
My scenario, at pretty young age I had very successful ACDF c5-c7 (due to many problems including chord compression, a reverse curve to my neck (common if have long straight neck, that my NeuroSpine surgeon straightening w the fusion by carving out the cadaver bone in a metaculios way). Over the years other areas of my Cspine has become worse. Radio Frequency Ablation by a very skilled Pain Mgmt doctor, worked great to rid of any pain years after the fusion. I never needed Pain meds etc. Over
last 9 months bad pain started creeping up and RFA or other non invasive procedures did not help at all. Recently (15 years after original c5-c7 fusion), imaging shows I have bad stenosis, the worse at c4-c5 with anterior/ posterior chord compression, among many other issues thoughout my Cspine, including Anterolisthesis with flexion at c4-c5 and c7-t1. Total mess. I am on my own w no help. I wonder how you function on your own, after having your entire neck fused? I did great after my first fusion, but this is far more drastic. I would appreciate any candor from others who may have had a similar fusion/ experience. Ty
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Is there a specific reason for the relief you feel at night? My neck and shoulder tightness persists through half of the night before it starts to calm down.