Neck and shoulder pain after fusion surgery-techniques for reducing?

@garygg Hello and welcome to Connect. Often muscle spasms are part of having cervical spine issues and common after surgery. I am a cervical spine surgery patient, and still have some stiffness. I had C5/C6 fused. I also have thoracic outlet syndrome that contributes to some of that. The muscles of the shoulder blades connect to the spine and can cause pain in there are spasms. I have used a heated neck wrap and done a lot of physical therapy called myofascial release which helps with the tightness and in releasing the tight surgical scar tissue. Here is our discussion on MFR.

— Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR) for treating compression and pain:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/
Have you heard of or tried Myofascial Release Therapy? Have your tried post operative physcoial therapy?

I have had PT as well as botox injections into the nerves surrounding the area, but have never heard of the MFR you have suggested. I will look into this and see what I find. Thank you for the information, much appreciated!

June 2020 I had a cervical fusion done, C3 thru C7. Today Dec. 27, 2022 I have extreme stiffness and neck discomfort. I usually place a neck cushion type brace on neck within 10 after getting out of bed. I’ve been thru Physical Therapy with little help. I’ve gone back to original Neurosurgeon to discuss the issue, had two more MRI, 2 CT scan and several X Rays. Nothing shows that there is a problem, Surgeon says it might take 2 years for a complete recovery.
I have gone to a different Neurosurgeon with the same diagnosis.
I use a tens unit for some relief, neck collar gives me the most relief. Both the Doctors and Physical Therapist have told me NOT to use collar but it gives me some relief. I searching for a medical group that will give me some answers as I’ve lost all confidence in the Doctors I now have. Forgot to mention that I’ve had pain management with 8 injections which have not helped.

@wornout Welcome to Connect. I realize that PT didn't help much, but something that may help is a special kind of PT called myofascial release. Since you are 6 months out from fusion surgery, I presume that your spine has begun the fusion process which will continue adding to the bone for a couple years as the doctor said. Surgery also creates scar tissue that tightens up and is aggravated by the muscle spasms. I know MFR has helped me before and after cervical fusion surgery. MFR stretches out and releases tight tissue and can help break up the surgical scar tissue. There is a provider search at http://mfrtherapists.com/ and here is our discussion on MFR where you can find a lot of information:

Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR) for treating compression and pain: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/

Have you tried this therapy before?

With the constant discomfort I’m ready to give this treatment a try, one important question is, Does Medicare cover this type of therapy?
I’ve looked at your list of Therapist in my area and will contact the one within my area today.

I have not tried as I’ve never heard of it, I’ve exhausted my Medicare benefits for the year at physical therapy. I am going to contact one of the therapist on your website. I had asked previous question if you knew if Medicare covers the therapy you mentioned.

@wornout My physical therapist told me that Medicare doesn't want to cover PT that they consider to be maintenance or to relieve pain. For Medicare to cover something, it needs to be a loss of function that can be treated, and then only so many visits are approved. This has been my complaint about having to go on Medicare and no longer having group health insurance. I have paid for some single visits with my PT when I've needed it. Because I have done this MFR for many years, I know what things I can do at home to self treat. I can't do everything because sometimes you just need a separate pair of hands at a different angle to be able to stretch something out. I do a lot by laying on small balls or pushing against a door frame. I also have some things recommended by my PT such as a cranio cradle that I can lay on and it holds my head like the therapist would do to apply slight traction. With just a couple days left in 2022, you would be starting a new benefit year soon.

Just read your post to my wife, she says this sounds like me. I had cervical fusion done June 2021. The stiffness and pain started 6 months after surgery.
I’ve gone thru the Physical Therapy route and I wish I had more PT available.
I exhausted my benefits for 2022. I plan on asking Doctor for another script to PT as they did help. I find if I do exercises and deep tissue massage I get along much better.
I’ve been to two different neurosurgeons, they both say that according to the MRI’s and CT scans there is nothing wrong. Thinking about going called to a horse doctor as I’ve lost all faith in my doctors.
Reading different comments on Mayo Clinic I’m seeing something called myrofacial therapy, my next move. Check out on YouTube the Physical Therapist that is using the procedure of a deep tissue massage, Myrofacial Therapy.
I wear a soft collar most of the day so as to keep going, the therapist and doctors don’t want me to wear as it will keep neck muscles from regaling strength. I do all sorts of exercises to strengthen.

@wornout All surgeries create scar tissue, and that scar can extend right up from where the surgeon was working internally to the incision scar on the skin surface like a rope that pulls and creates tightness. I work on my neck tightness which resurfaces from time to time. When I get the tension released by stretching or my manual stretching, it gets things moving again properly and relieves pain and stiffness. My incision periodically tightens up and I need to re-stretch it. Some doctors know of the benefits of MFR, and some are unfamiliar with it, but don't let that stop you.

Deep tissue massage can help, but you want to avoid creating new scar tissue doing it. MFR works because it is slow and gentle, and you just wait until the fascia unwinds itself. If you are too aggressive. the body resists and the fascia can tear creating more scar tissue, for example when you stretch too far and feel pain from it for several weeks.

Thank you for that information. I’m looking forward to getting a therapist who is well versed in this treatment.
I’ll let you know the outcome.