C5-C6 Fusion Aftereffects: What's Normal?

@tk14
I had ACDF on C5-C6 in 2022 and C6-C7 in 2025.

What were your symptoms prior to surgery and what were you told about reducing symptoms with surgery? Did you have ACDF procedure or did they need to go through the back of the neck?

Did you have an EMG/nerve conduction study of upper limbs before surgery? This is usually done to check/confirm spinal nerve root compression causing radiculopathy symptoms. A neurologist typically does this.

If you haven’t already asked your surgeon, you may want to ask to have an updated MRI to check soft tissues post surgery. An X-ray or ct scan won’t show soft tissue inflammation or injury. You may have new compression of a nerve/blood vessel, especially when moving your neck in certain positions. Have you slept on your neck in a way that is causing your symptoms or twisted your head/neck in a way that affected your fusion? Have you been wearing a neck brace post surgery and do you have hardware in your neck? Do any of the medications you are taking have side effects that line up with yours? You may want to review all medications you are taking and your symptoms with your pharmacist to see if there are any interactions and recommended changes they could make to your doctor(s).

@tk14
I had ACDF on C5-C6 in 2022 and C6-C7 in 2025.

What were your symptoms prior to surgery and what were you told about reducing symptoms with surgery? Did you have ACDF procedure or did they need to go through the back of the neck?

Did you have an EMG/nerve conduction study of upper limbs before surgery? This is usually done to check/confirm spinal nerve root compression causing radiculopathy symptoms. A neurologist typically does this.

If you haven’t already asked your surgeon, you may want to ask to have an updated MRI to check soft tissues post surgery. An X-ray or ct scan won’t show soft tissue inflammation or injury. You may have new compression of a nerve/blood vessel, especially when moving your neck in certain positions. Have you slept on your neck in a way that is causing your symptoms or twisted your head/neck in a way that affected your fusion? Have you been wearing a neck brace post surgery and do you have hardware in your neck? Do any of the medications you are taking have side effects that line up with yours? You may want to review all medications you are taking and your symptoms with your pharmacist to see if there are any interactions and recommended changes they could make to your doctor(s).

@tk14
I meant to also ask where you are feeling the weakness and burning/tingling? Is it primarily in your arms/hands/fingers or do you also have some in lower limbs?

Do you recall what was shown in your pre surgery MRI at C5-C6? Did you have spinal cord compression/flattening? Did you have disc herniation/bulge and/or osteophytes/bone spurs pressing on spinal nerve roots?

Before my first surgery on C5-C6, I had daily headaches, tinnitus, neck/shoulder pain, arms/hand/finger weakness, numbness, and tingling, bladder control issues, dizziness/balance issues and heaviness in legs/difficulty walking fast (when I used to be a fast walker compared to others). After surgery, my symptoms improved but I have some residual spinal cord injury in shoulders/arms, etc. due to delayed diagnosis and decompression (took my 4th surgeon to recognize I had cervical degenerative myelopathy at 52 after being misdiagnosed for 5 years).

Depending on the type of compression and length of time you had it, you may be experiencing symptoms due to having spinal cord/nerve roots/blood vessels being decompressed and now trying to heal. Nerves can take a long time to heal and some can have permanent damage (especially if spinal cord).

I did have an EMG nerve study beforehand through a neurologist, which only showed carpal tunnel. I had an ACDF procedure. My symptoms before surgery were weakness, fatigue, burning, tingling, and occasionally, I felt like my left arm or leg didn’t want to listen. I didn’t have pain except on the left side of my chest (cardiologist ruled out heart). None of the doctors I visited provided any instructions on managing symptoms beforehand. They saw the stenosis, and surgery seemed to be the only option.
I have been very careful not to twist my head/neck, and I do wear my hard neck brace unless I'm eating or sleeping.
I did take my very first cymbalta the day before my symptoms got really bad. I only took the one and haven't taken one since. I was afraid it was the culprit, but unfortunately, my symptoms aren't improving.
My surgeons team has not provided much assistance post surgery but I differenlty ask about the MRI.

@tk14
If you were prescribed Cymbalta (duloxetine), that is for nerve pain, depression (due to chronic pain), osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia patients. I haven’t taken it in the past. You are supposed to take it daily on a regular schedule and it takes 2-4+ weeks to feel the full effects/benefits. It is not a medication you take just as needed.

Yes, weakness and burning/tingling were primarily in your arms and legs. The spinal cord compression was not quite flattened, although it was bad enough that the neurolist said if I get worse before surgery, I should go to the ER and have the surgery right away.
Wow, I'm sorry you've had to go through so much at your age. I'm 56, so I understand the frustration of being willing to do some things but limited in what you can do.
How do they finally determine that you had cervical degenerative myelopathy?
Thanks for your help

I had a C5-c6 fusion 4 1/2 wks ago. I’ve been suffering from dizziness that comes and goes, major weakness, my visions been a bit blurred, and burning and tingling in muscles. The weakness and dizziness has been so bad I’ve felt faint and sometimes it’s even hard to hold my phone.The only thing my surgeons has recommend was to go to the ER. I did go but it was 2 wks ago. The ct with contrast was normal but my symptoms are getting worse. I’ve also seen an ENT and they ruled out vertigo. The only other suggestion my surgeon has is to see a neurologist which will take months to get in.Has anyone had this experience? Any recommendations?

I had a C5-c6 fusion 4 1/2 wks ago. I’ve been suffering from dizziness that comes and goes, major weakness, my visions been a bit blurred, and burning and tingling in muscles. The weakness and dizziness has been so bad I’ve felt faint and sometimes it’s even hard to hold my phone.The only thing my surgeons has recommend was to go to the ER. I did go but it was 2 wks ago. The ct with contrast was normal but my symptoms are getting worse. I’ve also seen an ENT and they ruled out vertigo. The only other suggestion my surgeon has is to see a neurologist which will take months to get in.Has anyone had this experience? Any recommendations?

Hi, are you doing any better? My story is almost exactly the same as yours. I just had fusion two days ago and I'm feeling weakness and burning and heaviness in my right arm and leg. Hoping you have some improvement!