Cervical Posterior fusion from C-3 thru C-7,

@orloffjr
Just had c3-t1 done on 12-17-2025 from the back it is a harder recovery than the front but it goes away in time I walk every day for healing and pain control never knew how much pain I was in till now that it's gone.

@cheri63
I have gone to pain management for several years but the injections only worked in conjunction with pain meds. I no longer do either as there is a limit to how many trigger point or faucet injections one can receive and the alternative of morphine seemed somewhat daunting.

@cheri63
It sounds like you are doing well for 1 month post op. I had posterior C4-T1 fusion done on 8/5/25 due to severe cervical myelopathy, which was affecting my gait. All is better now. I would not know I had the procedure except by the scar. Thanks and best wishes to you for a full recovery.

@orloffjr thanks for the reply glad you too are doing well this is the 4th repair I have had done over the last 26 years and like the others I would do it again even with the c5 palsy issue. The pain relief and balance issues resolved for me as well. It's definitely how you how you look at the out come. It's about quality of life. So glad you have had a great out come.

@crysia I did injection over the years only had an hour relief from last ones. They caused such health issues the last time decided it just was not worth it. I wished I could still use tens unit but now so allergic to even the sensitive pad brake me out really miss that as a pain treatment. So now they gave me do an anti inflammatory, muscle relaxer and gabpentin for controll and once in a while a opioid as I'm sensitive to them. Wishing you well and keep working at pain relief. Move as much as you can it will help.

@cheri63 I agree it is about gaining/keeping as much function as possible. I am having another fusion on lumbar from L1 to L3. that I have been putting off for years. Already fused from l4 to S1 since 2018. The joints above deteriorated badly right away and now have become unstable. I think I will be in a lot less pain and gain function to a large degree. I have a friend who had a similar surgery and and he wishes he had done much sooner. Thank you for the encouragement. 🙂

My first surgery was l5-s1 when I woke up I had legs couldn't believe how much pain I was really in as the body will just to so much was using a tens 24 7 . No pain meds. Was bone to bone. 26 years later below is now Bone to bone and above is now detetating as well. I think that has to be a talk before first surgery is done as this is the normal process once a fusion is done had no idea that was what would happen. But it is always worth the process once it's bad as the life you get after surgery is so much better. Once it effects your daily living it's time to fix it. Keep working at relief and maybe soon you can have it fixed. Keep me posted.

@orloffjr I am facing the same fusion. I sure hope I get as good as outcome as you have. That's wonderful news!

@erdocsmom just remember that surgical pain goes away and as soon as you can walk shot distance the work begins I'm up too 2 miles all through out the day I wear a step counter to keep track of and log in a planer so every day I can see what I've done and how my pain level is everyday. My first surgeon taught me this and have done it with each surgery I've had since. In the end it gives me better quality of life. I think to when the everyday pain is gone and all you have to deal with is the surgical pain it easier because you know that the worst is gone after 2 to 3 weeks it just become discomfort and that you can deal with and control. Please let me know when your schedule and I will keep you in my prayers. Be sure before surgery you walk and exercise as much as you can tolerate it will help with recovery as well as increasing your proteins for growing bone. Keep me updated. If you need to chat just let me know it's nice to know someone who's been down that road.

@erdocsmom
Hello,
If you haven't already I would recommend getting at least 3 opinions from reputable surgeons. Many surgeons don't do many procedures this big or they only go through the front. My surgery was 6+ hours. The first 3 weeks were not fun but the main pain generator for me was the rigid brace hitting right on the incision as well as the pressure it put on the shoulders and deltoids. Evidently the positioning for the surgery cause much of the pain in the neck, shoulders and upper arms. I ended up using 3 different braces before finding the most comfortable one. ( I found the Breg Pinnacle was the best for me) I was on about 60 mgs of hydrocodone as well as gabapentin and Robaxin(muscle relaxant for about 3-4 wks. After the tenderness wore off it was mainly Tylenol. No NSAIDS for the 1st 6 weeks as my doctor said they inhibit fusion growth. I did sleep in a recliner for several months as it was much more comfortable. All downhill after that and am very pleased with the outcome. If you have any questions just let me know.