Posterior Cervical Fusion C1-C2 12/05/2025

I had the same procedure Feb 2025 and my personal experience is give it a year. I have not experienced pain but addressed symptoms at 6 mos and still at one year with my surgeon that include feeling clumsy, extreme change in my handwriting, feeling of heavy legs, tingling and numbness in toes. They ordered an mri when I complained of these symptoms still after one year and I was told everything looked good and to address these issues with my primary doctor. It’s difficult for me to believe that these issues are not related to my c1 c2 fusion. I’m sorry you are experiencing pain and hopefully can get feedback from others, that’s why I joined this Mayo Clinic connect and I check it each day. I am waiting to get in with a neurologist about my symptoms, I am 70 and can’t believe the difference in how I get around after this surgery, again no pain but feel old and feeble.

Thank you for getting back to me. I hope you start feeling better soon. I am about to turn age 65 and hope to resume recreational activities again after a years recovery. I did not mention that I was diagnosed with scoliosis and osteoarthritis concentrated around C1 & C2.

@lawr64 Did you have an ablation previous to the fusion? Thank you.

I had this surgery in 2019 and x-rays showed a screw in the "cage"was loose and moving. This leads to pain when I turn my head in certain directions. Has anyone else dealt with this?

I did not have an ablation but a year prior to the surgery 11 months earlier I had a CT Guided epidural in spine C2, steroid, cortisone, anesthetic. It felt better for about 4 weeks then the pain came back rapidly.

I have had 6 epidural shots after my anterior fusion 4 years ago and one really helped, one was horrible and the rest didn't really do much. At the end of the day the soreness between my shoulders and neck is unreal. Its like the whole top half of my spine is a block of sore if that makes sense. My handwriting is terrible as well. By the end of the day I trip over doorways or rugs because my legs feel so heavy. I am a 44 yrs old and feel so much older most days. I use the hot tub as much as possible. I use strong CBD/THC ointments that help quite a bit some days and some days not as much. I walk a lot at work and keeping active seems better. If I rest for a day and dont do much it seems to be worse which doesn't make sense to me. You got this!!! Hope you wake up tomorrow and everything is fanfriggintastic!!!! Best wishes to all in pain!

Iam interested in recovery from c-5,6 posterior surgery. We are having problems with pain. Spasms, any movement all, into chair,toilet, arms and hands numb, shoulders chest painful, how long will this last?

I had a C3-C6 Fusion 6/24. I am 62 years of age and used to be very active. I logged 238 workouts at Planet Fitness in 2023. Then my body fell apart. I received about 80% relief from the surgery. Before surgery, the pain was so bad, I was suicidal. Unfortunately, a screw has broken and another has "backed out". The pain is slowly returning month by month. I am told, my neck is healed. Really? My surgeon resigned to go to another facility and I am scheduled to see the new surgeon in August. UGH. In addition, 4 months after the Cervical Fusion, I had a lumbar Fusion 10/24. L2-L3 failed. L5-S1 fusion, also failed. I also have a new fracture at T10-T11. Before my surgeon resigned his position, we had agreed to revision surgery on my back as I am having trouble ambulating and getting through the pain by 4:00 in the afternoon. Fingertips burning and numb, groin pulls, Zapping pains, headaches, drop foot, stabbing pains in legs, ankles feet. I work full time and drive approximately 1,500 mi. a month for my job. I might also add that I was a Full- Contact/MMA fighter for over a decade. 20 years of fighting and lifting. I'm not looking for sympathy as I know I brought this on myself. Just thought I would share to let others know that they are not alone. Thank you and Respectfully, Patrick

@linney - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I wanted you to know I moved your post to this discussion where members were talking about a topic very similar to what you mentioned in your post:

- Posterior Cervical Fusion C1-C2 12/05/2025 https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/posterior-cervical-fusion-c1-c2-12052025/

Hoping members here will chime in such as @livininthestix @v9h @columbia86 and others about any pain they experienced after this surgery and how they managed it. They also may be familiar with having experienced spasms, numb arms and hands, and especially painful shoulders and chest, and have some tips to offer.

You mentioned "we." Wondering if you had this c-5,6 posterior surgery, or if it was someone you are helping care for after surgery?

@pjbyrne Were these surgeries caused by osteoporosis, scoliosis, work related injuries? I'd be tempted to visit a highly regarded orthopedic surgeon for evaluation even if you have to travel.