Cervical C5-C6 Prestige - Meconn

[mecconn]

Well, I'm back home from the hospital after spending one night there. The doctor said that the bone spur was deep in my nerve but it looked good after decompression. The pain was very difficult the first evening and next morning, especially on the incision side. Last night, after I got home I had a couple of terrible neck spasms that caused by whole body to shake, but valium quickly relieved them and I slept very well. Went for a short walk today with my wife and felt pretty good. I still have pain in my shoulders and nerve pain in the same areas in my upper arm. The doctor said they will subside because, of course, the nerve was compressed pretty hard by the bone spur. I will keep following up. I will continue on post op forum.

[Lisibug]

You're home the next day, wow! I know that's how it's done in the U.S. - mine was done in GY and I was in the hospital for 5 nights. I have to tell you that the upper back/trapezii muscle spasms will probably continue for 2-3 months. I had 3 level ADR and my muscles calmed down after 3 months on the dot. The doc told me this is entirely normal and how long I was to expect them to continue for. It also took awhile before I saw any improvement in my radicular pain, but after a few months, this continued to improve to a significant degree. Hope you feel better and better. The hard part is being patient! That's wonderful that you were already able to take a short walk. Take it easy and heal well!

[mecconn]

Three days post-op c5/6. Still pretty tight in traps and shoulders. Swallowing is getting easier and able to eat most things. Still get pain behind shoulder and in outer shoulder, some mild feelings in both triceps (which scares me because that's not typical c6 nerve). Movement is getting better and able to shower now. Optomistic but not worry free.

[Terry]

That nerve sounds like it was stomped on pretty good. It may take a longer time to heal because of the damage this may have caused. The body is an amazing thing and can heal from most things given time. I was back to work within one week of having a hemi-laminectomy at two levels in my neck several years ago. The neck seems to heal faster than the lumbar region of the spine. Less weight put on it for one thing vs. the lumbar supporting most of the bodies weight.

Hang in there and do give yourself time to get through the healing part. Most of us are guilty of being a little impatient.

Terry Newton

[berry]

Mecconn

Congratulations on your surgery and wishing you a smooth recovery. The muscle tightness is part of the course it seems and will improve with time. Great that you are able to eat most things. I too had the shoulder blade and upper arm pains, as did others on the forum, which may reassure you. I'm now nine weeks post-op and they are no longer an issue.

Take it easy but get well soon.

Lynda

[angie]

Hi meconn
I had cervical ADR surgery at c5 c6 11 days ago.I think I have a prodisc.I still have pain in my left arm and shoulders and the left is still weak.But am sure things will soon improve should be starting physio this week that will help.I find moving around as much as possible helps with the stiffness.Still waking up at night with pain at the moment even after taking sleeping tablets it is still early days.
I feel positive of a good recovery.

Hope all goes well for you
Angie

[phylly]

Congratualtions on your surgery. Please be careful in the early days especially with PT. You still may need to rest and stretch only a little, it is so easy to injure your weak muscles. I wish you a good recovery and I hope it goes along smoothly.
Phylly

[mecconn]

Thanks for all the responses. I have pain on both outer shoulders. Hard to explain where it is other than it's not in the bicep muscle or the tricep muscle, its more in the muscles that lift your arms straight out. God, I hope it's all related. I also get some pain in tricep and down forearm but not tremendous pain.

[Bridgett]

Hi Mecconn, Congratulations on your surgery. I remember you posting before trying to make the right decision.

I am now two months out, and doing really great. I was ready to go back to work at two weeks, but got the flu, so that put me back another week. I also had the horrible muscle aches across my shoulders but that is better and I only have the tightness on both sides of my neck and the top of my shoulders. I have been in physical therapy for about 4 weeks, to strengthen my muscles and it seems to be helping. I am also going to the gym three times a week, which my doctor approves as long as I use light weights for my upper body, as for my lower body I am free to do what ever I feel comfortable.

The only problem I have since the surgery is the feeling of something in my throat, which I am scheduled to see a ear, nose and throat dr. for that on the 30th.

Good luck and know that in time you will be feeling better and better.
Bridgett

[mecconn]

Why is it when I just sneezed I had terrible pain down in my shoulder and down to my elbow? I thought that would be a thing of the past after decompression.