Post surgery from cervical myelopathy: Timeline of recovery?

@lovecaliope
I can relate with your situation.

I am in my 50s and a single parent with a teen son plus have cervical myelopathy. I was misdiagnosed for over 5 years so my ACDF surgery on c5-c6 was delayed (had it in 2022 when my son was 12). Before surgery, I had daily headaches, neck and shoulder pain/stiffness/tension, arm/hand weakness/numbness (dropped things and my handwriting worsened), bladder control issues and walking difficulties (legs felt very heavy and I was moving slowly even though I used to walk fast). I was told by my surgeon to have surgery as soon as possible to stop the progression and that some spinal cord injury could be permanent. After surgery, my symptoms improved about I was left with residual arm/shoulder/hand weakness. Only stayed overnight in the hospital but would have been released sooner if my blood pressure didn’t drop during surgery.

I had another herniated disc at c6-c7 so had my 2nd ACDF surgery last month (June 16). Many of my symptoms returned but were slightly different (wanted to walk forward but would fall backwards at times). I went home the same day.

Why were you in the hospital so long? How many levels did you have surgery on and were you fused with hardware? I am now fused with hardware c5-c7 (plus had L3-L5 fused in 2024). Even with my very painful lumbar decompression/fusion surgery, I only stayed in the hospital 24 hours (released once drainage reduced to a certain point).

I was told to not lift more than 5-10 pounds and not to twist my head/neck. I only wore a soft collar the first week to try to remind me not to move my head. Did you do anything that could have injured your neck post surgery? Have you had post op appointments with your surgeon? I had one 2 weeks post op to get incision checked and X-ray and go back 6 weeks (beginning of August) and 3-4 months post op. It is important to not use NSAIDs, not to smoke, etc. to help with bone fusion. PT should not be started until doctor releases you to do so. Have you had an X-ray since you had surgery to check alignment? Did you have a neurologist do an EMG/nerve conduction studies before surgery and what were your symptoms before surgery? Once spinal cord and nerve roots are decompressed, your body will try to heal what it can and it takes a long time for nerves to heal. The spinal cord compression injury may not fully heal.

Thank you! You have no idea how helpful it is to hear somebody outside of my head. This all occurred following a car accident in January. A week before my surgery on June 12 my job realise this was a Workmans Comp claim and wanted me to stop the appointment and start the whole process over with their doctors in another city. There was no way I could do this given my surgeon said I would be paralysed if I waited any longer so I ended up paying an exorbitant amount out-of-pocket and using my personal insurance. I have been completely drained financially and now neither my Insurance nor Workmans comp wants to be accountable for this. Workmans Comp is refusing any mental health referrals. I just don’t understand how this could be possible. I grew up in the system of medicine being about first do no harm, taking care of pain and the patient. I am just so saddened and depressed by this whole situation.

@lovecaliope
I can relate with your situation.

I am in my 50s and a single parent with a teen son plus have cervical myelopathy. I was misdiagnosed for over 5 years so my ACDF surgery on c5-c6 was delayed (had it in 2022 when my son was 12). Before surgery, I had daily headaches, neck and shoulder pain/stiffness/tension, arm/hand weakness/numbness (dropped things and my handwriting worsened), bladder control issues and walking difficulties (legs felt very heavy and I was moving slowly even though I used to walk fast). I was told by my surgeon to have surgery as soon as possible to stop the progression and that some spinal cord injury could be permanent. After surgery, my symptoms improved about I was left with residual arm/shoulder/hand weakness. Only stayed overnight in the hospital but would have been released sooner if my blood pressure didn’t drop during surgery.

I had another herniated disc at c6-c7 so had my 2nd ACDF surgery last month (June 16). Many of my symptoms returned but were slightly different (wanted to walk forward but would fall backwards at times). I went home the same day.

Why were you in the hospital so long? How many levels did you have surgery on and were you fused with hardware? I am now fused with hardware c5-c7 (plus had L3-L5 fused in 2024). Even with my very painful lumbar decompression/fusion surgery, I only stayed in the hospital 24 hours (released once drainage reduced to a certain point).

I was told to not lift more than 5-10 pounds and not to twist my head/neck. I only wore a soft collar the first week to try to remind me not to move my head. Did you do anything that could have injured your neck post surgery? Have you had post op appointments with your surgeon? I had one 2 weeks post op to get incision checked and X-ray and go back 6 weeks (beginning of August) and 3-4 months post op. It is important to not use NSAIDs, not to smoke, etc. to help with bone fusion. PT should not be started until doctor releases you to do so. Have you had an X-ray since you had surgery to check alignment? Did you have a neurologist do an EMG/nerve conduction studies before surgery and what were your symptoms before surgery? Once spinal cord and nerve roots are decompressed, your body will try to heal what it can and it takes a long time for nerves to heal. The spinal cord compression injury may not fully heal.

I will be 73 when I have my surgery which will be C3-7 ACDF for cervical spondylosis with myelopathy. I am pretty nervous about the surgery but because the spinal cord compression will get worse over time I know I should have it done. Because of the anterior approach I understand that comes with post op issues with my voice and ability to swallow. The surgeon was very honest and up front about how severe this could be.
Anyone have a similar surgery? And if so how was your post op experience?

I had my surgery c5c6c7 on August 31. It's been 4 weeks last Friday. I felt great the day of surgery and the day after. But since then I hurt so bad just like before the surgery. I'm super depressed. I see that sometimes it takes time but I don't know how to stay positive.

@caoma I can't help you with my experience yet but I have been told I need the exact same surgery. I have decided to put it off until spring because I just had L3-S1 TLIF 6 months ago. I will be 79 when I have the surgery next spring. I am terrified of the post op issues involving the esophagus. I also hope someone will chime in here and tell us about their experience with this surgery.

I had my surgery c5c6c7 on August 31. It's been 4 weeks last Friday. I felt great the day of surgery and the day after. But since then I hurt so bad just like before the surgery. I'm super depressed. I see that sometimes it takes time but I don't know how to stay positive.