Pain in shoulder after cervical surgery

Hi everyone, guess I'm the new guy and you're scaring me about what I'm facing in the future. Ten days ago I had a cervical discectomy on C-4,5,6,7. First seven days were great-pain free. Then pre op pain came back-back of head, neck, L shoulder and scapula. Based on pain free first 7 days, I was afraid I hurt it again. (I'm 73 and hit by car while crossing a street). Visited my MD, was told this current "pre op pain" was normal and will continue for another month or two. My MD is talking in "months" to recover and you're talking in "years." I'm very active in senior softball tournaments at the national level and hoped I could start playing again in August. But, after reading your posts, I may be too optimistic.. Good luck to all. joe

@jabskb welcome to connect . We arent Dr.s so cant diagnose but with what you had done your body needs to accept it all and when you do to much like superman you can hurt yourself more . Listen to your body and rest it do simple stretches at first . Talk to your orthopedic Dr and go with his suggestions . He may want you to have some therapy done . Dont rush it or it wont get better . Then when the season opens up you maybe able to play but listen to the Dr.s and your own body as to when this may happen Good luck

October 1st will be the 10 year anniversary of my anterior cervical spine fusion surgery. Over the course of the following 2 1/2 years, I struggled with extraordinary pain in my shoulder which compelled lots of PT and pain mngt — LOTS of shots to knock down the pain. I had radiating pain for almost a year prior to the surgery and my continued struggle post-op made me feel that I would never feel good again. Depression compounded my general state of mind.
Over time, my electric shoulder pain gradually dissipated. I believe that it was referred pain and I’m able to feel normal . There’s no doubt that I am dramatically improved, but actively working on treating the pain is something you must be committed to. Be sure to articulate your pain to your physical therapists and physiatrist.
I hope this helps and am available to talk more about it, if you like. You must keep hope alive!!!

@shenriq Thank you for your help. Sounds like I better take it easy when I get home from surgery. It sounds like you had a pinched nerve in your neck to caused your shoulder pain. Did you have sciatica all the way down your arm from your shoulder? I'm just guessing, but I'm glad it's better. Did they ever diagnose what was wrong with your shoulder?
I wouldn't be surprised if I will eventually have a neck fusion surgery. It's a mess, but no sciatica down my arm. My right shoulder is a replacement and my left shoulder I fell, got dizzy on my garage steps and couldn't figure out why I couldn't get my key in the door to lock it. I barely turned around and flew off two steps and broke right below my shoulder. I now have a plate with 11 screws in on my left upper arm. The bone were in pieces and the surgeon told my husband that it went back together like a puzzle. I don't know what caused me to become dizzy. The only thing was I had low sodium at the hospital. Neither shoulders hardly bother me. Now this and I know it will hurt more after the surgery, but I do feel positive that it will work, since they tested me and I started out with pain at 9 and after the procedure it went down to 1 and was still not hurting me the next day.The Assistant Surgeon told me that my surgery would be a success. I liked when you said to keep my hopes alive. I feel positive and hope it carries through after the surgery and I have faith. I may start having depression, since I probably can't do much after the surgery and my husband will have to do it. Thank you for your comments!! I won't give up hope.

@artscaping Hi, I have been thinking of @am3. We haven't heard from her in a long time and I wonder how she is doing. Would it be ok if I send her a post? Jeanie

I also started having right shoulder pain 4 months post operatively for anterior C4-C7 allograft fusion/corpectomy. I had spinal cord compression/arthropathy, myelopathy. A rotator cuff tear is suspect, supraspinatus muscle. No prior history. Now I have to see an Orthopedic provider, Pain Management for facet blocks. I have trouble sleeping also, I am a side sleeper, but have not been given any medication so I take Tylenol PM. I don't feel so alone after reading these comments.

@muttwoman Welcome to Mayo Connect. I am curious how you found us, but very glad you did! We are not medical professionals, so we cannot diagnose, but we do offer support and share experiences to help others on their journeys. You see ample testament to that here! May I suggest you keep some type of a journal that will help you list your discomfort, perhaps including time of day and activity, pain level and relief sought, so your orthopedic Dr will have some information to go on. Can you do that?
Ginger

Hello Ginger, Thank you for your response. I was searching for additional information on the internet, and selected the Mayo Clinic as a trusted source of information. The shared responses were of great interest to me. My surgery was complicated, and I ultimately retired so I could take care of my health. I certainly would describe myself as one who is an excellent historian, and keeping details of this journey would be quite easy. I wondered if the surgical positioning of the shoulder (and learned during a Post-Op visit from a Nurse Practitioner that the shoulder is pressed to better access the spine) caused my subsequent injury. Elizabeth

Molly is my rescue dog and comfort companion!

@muttwoman Welcome, you came to a good place. I'm sorry you are in so much pain. May I tell you about my pain? I will anyway. For a year I had to wait to have a fusion surgery on my back from T10 to my pelvis. I was in a lot of sciatic pain before the surgery. I had the surgery on June 9th. Recovering has been hard. I had to stay in the hospital longer because I had a low BP. They finally discovered it was the valium they were giving me for pain. I was so confused after the 9 hour surgery from the anesthesia. Then they took me down t he next day, we for got our surgeon had told us. They were asking me questions, but I was still out of it. They went in another room and I thought they didn't know what they were doing. Well they called my surgeon to find out exactly. I was given anesthesia again and they/ injected cement in my L-10 and L-11. I still don't know why they had to do it so I need to ask the surgeon the next time we see him in October. I have to be very careful because I have soft bones. No bending, or twisting and only 10 pound lifting. I could pull out a screw or break a rod. I am giving myself infections to get my bones stronger. Have to do it for 2 years and then still have to go on another one.
I'm sorry for all your pain, at least I sleep good now, just have trouble getting to sleep. I wish they would give you something for your pain. At least Tramadol. Ask them about that one. Maybe your orthopedic will give you something. I will think about you and say a prayer. Take care and I hope you get some relief soon.