Pain and edema after posterior surgical fusion

Posted by gahazel @gahazel, 1 day ago

I had a posterior cervical fusion about 12 weeks ago from C5-C7. It was after a previous ACDF failed to fuse. I am still having significant pain (started PT at 9 weeks). It’s a ripping pain in my neck and shoulder and pain into my shoulder blade. I’m also having some arm heaviness/numbness in recent weeks. My surgeon says my CT looks good (though the report mentions mild to moderate stenosis as well as osteophytes and moderate to severe bilateral uncovertebral joint disease at c6/c7) and an MRI showed a small paraspinal seroma and soft tissue edema. I’m unclear what’s causing my pain and what would help - ie an injection, more time, etc. Any advice or even comments on when you turned a positive corner after PCDF are welcome!

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gahazel | @gahazel | 1 day ago

I should mention pain is exclusively on the left side.

vraesolo68 | @vraesolo68 | 1 day ago

First I would like to say sorry for all the pain and discomfort you are experiencing. Did you doctor mention anything about a pinched nerve? I had ACDF surgery as well and before surgery I was experiencing some of the same things. Like you this was all occurring on my left side. My doctor preformed ACDF but not before doing the epidural injection in my back which did not help. I don’t want to scare you I just wanted to share my experience. The injection caused my whole body to seize up we tried a few different things but 1 month later I had ACDF surgery as well. I would suggest you get a second opinion. The injections don’t work for everyone. Do as much research and ask as many questions. In the past I tried injection, lidocaine patches, Mobic, pain meds, heat, ice. I wish you all the best. I now have degenerative disc disease in C5 -C7. I’m scared to have any other surgeries.

laura1970 | @laura1970 | 1 day ago

Where is your edema? Does your surgeon know about the new numbness/ weakness (I’m assuming that is what is causing the arm heaviness)? It sure sounds like an operative complication,

Others, feel free to chime in..

mrmacabre | @mrmacabre | 1 day ago

I've had spinal fusion procedures performed in basically the same area as you, C5-C6, and almost 2 years later at the C7-T1 level. The only real issues that I have are occasional pain and popping in my neck, and not being able to turn my head up/down and side to side like I used too.
I'd definitely ask for a second opinion.