An official website of the United States government. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a moderate disc herniation at the C4-C5 level, and flexion-extension cervical spine plain films showed hypermobility at the same level. Despite a rather small study obtained the stability of 6-month and 3-year results indicates that short-term results might be sufficient for evaluating effects of the treatment. One of the biggest issues we see after surgery is scarring around the nerves (1). Re: ACDF surgery 6 months after! If you have pain early on, that can actually just be part of the operation. I don't have pain. DR IS OUT OF SUGGESTIONS. This procedure (along with all other spine surgery procedures) requires the surgeon to navigate delicately around, and between nerves and muscles. According to the parameters studied 50 - 78% of those who at the 6-month follow-up were without deficit were still healthy at the 3-year follow-up. WebA physical therapist will help you regain muscle and joint strength and restore full range of motion in the cervical spine. All said my issues were from the cervical spine, which is why I proceeded with the ACDF surgery. And if it didnt fuse the first time, whats your guarantee that it fuses the next time?. If I do something that stresses my neck, like lifting something heavy, I tend to cheat and use my neck muscles to help, then I will get a neck spasm. It is not a sharp pain but a steady dull ache like you would get from over exercising. Without the tests, it might have been assumed that the patients pain was due to C6-C7 possible pseudarthrosis. Galbraith JG, Butler JS, Dolan AM, O'Byrne JM. Foley KT, Mroz TE, Arnold PM, Chandler HC Jr, Dixon RA, Girasole GJ, Renkens KL Jr, Riew KD, Sasso RC, Smith RC, Tung H, Wecht DA, Whiting DM. Cervical Spondylosis (Arthritis Of The Neck): Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, Complications Of Anterior Cervical Discectomy And Fusion Surgery, What to Expect After Surgery to the Cervical Spine, Possible Complaints After Neck Fusion Surgery. To the layman (me), it seems like my neck fusion was successful, and now my thoracic has some issues. official website and that any information you provide is encrypted After surgical intervention (ACDF), 48 patients (68.6%) noted the cessation of shoulder symptoms (pain, weakness, and numbness) during their last visit. I also have left side neck pain in the morning that I didn't have much of until now. WebBackground:Dysphagia is a common complication immediately following anterior cervical spine surgery.However, its onset more than 1-year postoperatively is rare. I have had some shoulder issues too, a SLAP tear in the capsule in one, and a frozen shoulder in the other caused by the contrast that they injected during an MRI for shoulder instability. I CAN'T SLEEP FOR MORE THAN A COUPLE OF HOURS AT A TIME EVEN WITH SLEEPING PILLS. -Tendinosis at the insertion of the left subscapularis and supraspinatus tendons. Rotator cuff tear (supraspinatus mainly) was the predominant finding in MRI in those who didnt improve after ACDF (n=18, 25.7%, p-value: 0.001). Case Description:A 45-year-old male initially underwent a C3-4 and C5-6 anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF).At age 49, 4 years later, he presented with worsening dysphagia accompanied by neck and right upper extremity pain. Case Description:A 45-year-old male initially underwent a C3-4 and C5-6 anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF).At age 49, 4 years later, he presented with worsening dysphagia accompanied by neck and right upper extremity pain. This is the most common question after three-level cervical fusion surgery. I feel great. I am now 10 months out from the ACDF. Posts: 55. See Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulators (TENS) I had ACDF on C5 C6 about three weeks ago. Typically this is nothing to be concerned about. Posts: 55. Measurements have earlier been obtained before and 6 and 12 months after ACDF. Join Date: Sep 2004. Following surgery the body begins its natural healing process and new bone cells grow around the graft. subacromial subdeltoid bursitis). WebAlthough relatively rare, post-operative nerve injuries may occur after cervical spine procedures. I hope that's not the case though, as I'd imagine he is tired of this much like I am. WebBackground:Dysphagia is a common complication immediately following anterior cervical spine surgery.However, its onset more than 1-year postoperatively is rare. After 7 months, I have not been able to return to work. A prospective study. How are you getting along now. Bone healing may take as long as 12 months, but generally, activities are unrestricted after 3-6 months. and screws. Blood Clots. It generally presents with deltoid and/or THANKS! I will say that the arm/shoulder issues I have been having over the past month and a half or so are different than the ones I had pre-op. Confusing MRI, cervical disectomy and fusion surgery complications, C4/5 & C5/6 Fusion with TM100 Plate and Screws - Still pain, numbness much improved, Winged scapula (RH side) following C5 C6 Anterior disectomy, longterm pain after anterior cervical fusion, anterior cervical discectomy and fusion C5/6. The site is secure. C7-T1: No abnormality. Trained as both a Medical Doctor and Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Corenman earned academic appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and his research on spine surgery and rehabilitation has resulted in the publication of multiple peer-reviewed articles and two books. Three years after ACDF about two-thirds of the patients had remaining deficit with regard to pain intensity, Neck Disability Index, Distress and Risk Assessment Method and general health. The pain still got worse. It causes pain after ACDF surgery because the bone graft and attached muscles change their biomechanics. Three months after undergoing C5-T1 anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), an active 60-year-old man from Florida began to experience recurrent neck and left shoulder pain. Any surgery will come with a set of risks and potential complications to look out for. Strengthening the spine can reduce pain and inflammation and help improve functionality and mobility. The risk factors for C5 nerve palsy are male gender, OPLL, and posterior cervical approaches. If you want to get notified by every reply to your post, please register. Iron Neck for chronic pain caused by foraminal stenosis? A CT scan can reveal this. Along with the neck pain, I am also having shoulder pain. The Scap Wrap: How To Fix Your Shoulder Posture. Following surgery the body begins its natural healing process and new bone cells grow around the graft. My spine has been corrected, and I'm still working on the TOS and making progress. Copyright 2004-2023 Duke University Health System, Neurophysiologic Intraoperative Monitoring May Be Feasible During Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy, Man Walks Again Weeks After Severing Spinal Column. It is nerve damage. Connect with thousands of patients and caregivers for support, practical information, and answers. A cervical epidural should have yielded at least short term relief if the symptoms originated from the nerves of the spinal canal. Other goals of surgery include: Improving neck pain. Back on feb 28 i have 2 disc fusions in my c5/7. Would you like email updates of new search results? WebHeadaches after ACDF surgery. The cervical spinal cord demonstrates normal caliber and signal without syrinx. The stenosis in Tom's cervical spine was serious, causing spinal compression at four levels. Please enable it to take advantage of the complete set of features! I seemed to bounce back fairly quickly with the first one. Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is a type of spine surgery used for the treatment of neck or arm pain caused by cervical radiculopathy. Me shoulder snaps and pops all the time. It feel like I have done 500 pushups or really strenuous exercise every single day. Before Spinal fusion is a common form of back surgery used to treat several kinds of back problems, including scoliosis, vertebral weakness, and herniated discs. I stumbled across these postings this am and I was like WOW I am not alone.. and I am NOT crazy! The second week after surgery I started to get headaches, not extremely intense, not a migraine, just a pressure headache. Thank you for choosing Dr. Corenman as your healthcare provider. Typically this is nothing to be concerned about. My upper traps and entire upper back is constantly in spasm. Purpose: My fusion is at C5/C6 and it doesn't do much at all for head range of motion. Incorrect Screw Placement Screws and plates are utilized to stabilize the neck during Cervical Fusion Surgery. See Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulators (TENS) Neck pain again a year after acdf surgery. This procedure (along with all other spine surgery procedures) requires the surgeon to navigate delicately around, and between nerves and muscles. According to the parameters studied 50 - 78% of those who at the 6-month follow-up were without deficit were still healthy at the 3-year follow-up. I know how to take my hands and work the knots out. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/ I think it helped surgery go easier because the tissues were looser which made it easier to retract. The most common post-operative neural disorder is C5 nerve palsy. Neck pain again a year after acdf surgery. If the surgeon doesn't think the cervical spine is causing my ongoing issues I guess I will go back to the shoulder doc to get his thoughts. I am still having issues. 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. It might. No evidence of hardware complication. Its a slow healing process, but in the end, the operation may end up being successful. I to had a Cervical Discectomy on the C5,C6,C7. You might want to look at our MFR discussion for information. The .gov means its official. Posts: 9,238. One image did stand out. After the procedure, the surgical area will remain inflamed as the body heals itself. Here are a few of the findings: CLINICAL INDICATION: Radiculopathy, cervical region ACDF spanning C3-C6. I would certainly prefer a conservative approach of course. @jenniferhunter thanks for your insight. The more I open that up and release the tightness, the better my arm feels and I breathe better too. TOS affects my breathing by making the muscles on one side of my chest too tight, so it doesn't expand well enough, and it pulls up on the first ribs, so they don't relax downward during an exhalation. It is FREE! Method: You also have surgical scar tissue in an adjacent area if you had a frontal approach in your surgery. Youre giving the patient possible significant neck pain. My testing and consults were completed in a few days, and I had an answer and an offer of help. Hello, I am currently 6 months out from a two level ACDF (c4-c6). WebWhen symptoms of cervical radiculopathy persist or worsen despite nonsurgical treatment, your doctor may recommend surgery. I really haven't had many problems since the surgery, other than my neck being stiff. With this new technology, we have the opportunity to advance how we take care of patients with cervical spine disease, Haglund says. Any surgery will come with a set of risks and potential complications to look out for. The screw can be inserted incorrectly and advanced into a nerve or facet joint causing pain and weakness. Much thanks. I won't be able to bend forward or sideways, which will be hard, but it will help my spine to heal. It causes pain after ACDF surgery because the bone graft and attached muscles change their biomechanics. WebTypical Physical Therapy after ACDF This is what the patient can typically expect at physical therapy: Pain relief and inflammation are the key concerns at first. and transmitted securely. over a year ago, car195579751 December 19th I had an ACDF C4-C6. Pre-op most symptoms were in the left arm/shoulder/hand. Safety and feasibility of an early telephone-supported home exercise program after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion: a case series. After ACDF, youll want to return to your favorite activities as soon as possible, and while the recovery time might be lengthy, a recent study showed that the procedure reduced arm pain in 93-100% and neck pain in 73-87% of standard patients. WebPain in the back of the neck and between the shoulder blades is common after ACDF surgery. After surgical intervention (ACDF), 48 patients (68.6%) noted the cessation of shoulder symptoms (pain, weakness, and numbness) during their last visit. But you cant know this for sure until almost a year has passed. Facet generated pain will not be demonstrated by an MRI and has to be diagnosed by facet blocks (see website). Dont forget that other structures can refer pain to that area (heart and thoracic aorta among others). In some cases, however, patients go home the same day. If your PT is not trained in MFR, there is a provider finder on the MFR website. over a year ago, Pain in the Neck68921 The primary goal of surgery is to relieve your symptoms by decompressing, or relieving pressure on, the compressed nerves in your neck. In an attempt to bring these individuals back into their full-speed lives again, doctors and other spine treatment providers focus on mitigating pain. Thanks again for your response! Typically this is nothing to be concerned about. You could have thoracic outlet syndrome in addition to the other issues you mentioned and it causes arm and hand pain, and TOS is more common with spine injury patients. The radiology report was very similar. I had no hardware and had to be really careful not to do anything until I fused, but it was at the 4 month mark that I was beginning to fuse and was cleared to begin PT and myofascial release again. Physiotherapy after anterior cervical spine surgery for cervical disc disease: study protocol of a prospective randomised study to compare internet-based neck-specific exercise with prescribed physical activity. Take any medications that your doctor prescribes for pain and constipation. I could move my arm and shoulder without pain (once going through therapy and strengthening). The screw can be inserted incorrectly and advanced into a nerve or facet joint causing pain and weakness. Drs fail to tell patients this, instead they go by what they read in textbooks in school. WebThe ACDF helps to relieve symptoms such as neck pain, numbness and tingling in the arms, shoulders, or hand, shooting pain in the arms, weakness of hands, or lower extremities. I know without cervical spine surgery, my quality of life would have suffered a lot, but I got my life back and I can do most anything I want to do and have no pain except for normal muscle aches because I just rode 20 miles on a horse. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/thoracic-outlet-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20353988, https://trainingandrehabilitation.com/how-truly-treat-thoracic-outlet-syndrome/, https://sharing.mayoclinic.org/2019/01/09/using-the-art-of-medicine-to-overcome-fear-of-surgery/. Paraspinal tissues are intact. The cervical spinal canal is diminutive in caliberon a congenital basis. In an attempt to bring these individuals back into their full-speed lives again, doctors and other spine treatment providers focus on mitigating pain. 2002 Jun;22(2):179-86. doi: 10.1055/s-2002-36541. WebIn the end, after recovering from anterior cervical fusion surgery, most patients report significant improvements and a decrease in pain. If you had a bone graft taken from your pelvis, you may experience pain, soreness, and stiffness at the incision site. Disc dessication with loss of height T8-T9 with mild posterior endplate degeneration and small central disc protrusion without mass effect. Drs fail to tell patients this, instead they go by what they read in textbooks in school. Hello, I am currently 6 months out from a two level ACDF (c4-c6). A number of potential diagnoses are possible. To minimize discomfort, avoid sitting or lying down for long periods; change position or take a short walk every 20 minutes or so. Randomized, prospective, and controlled clinical trial of pulsed electromagnetic field stimulation for cervical fusion. The expected length of a hospital stay after an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion usually overnight for one or two level procedures. WebDysphagia after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is common, with a prevalence ranging between 28% and 57% of cases. I HAVE STABBING PAIN BETWEEN MY SHOULDER BLADES AND SEVERE MUSCLE SPASMS AND PAIN FROM THE BASE OF MY SKULL THROUGH MY SHOULDER AND DOWN INTO MY RIGHT ARM TO MY ELBOW. Epub 2005 Dec 12. The risk factors for C5 nerve palsy are male gender, OPLL, and posterior cervical approaches. They should wear a My original symptoms were bilateral, symmetrical muscle aches/burning in my arms (wrists, forearms, deltoids). I did the bouncing back and forth between these two specialists prior to surgery and don't want to do it again. WebThe ACDF helps to relieve symptoms such as neck pain, numbness and tingling in the arms, shoulders, or hand, shooting pain in the arms, weakness of hands, or lower extremities. Web3 Months Post ACDF JohnyH. Status post ACDF C4-C6 with decompressed canal, recesses, and foramina. Bone healing may take as long as 12 months, but generally, activities are unrestricted after 3-6 months. My surgery was performed 3 Times. Some patients may need to start physical therapy about a month after ACDF and continue it for a couple more months. I do a lot of trail riding just at a walk, and I have to compensate for every step the horse takes with my back, and I do that with good posture and balance. It's been almost a year since my surgery. I do have some tigthness in my neck, but I have had that for years because of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. After surgery, patients should eat soft foods and liquids until their first follow-up appointment. Hello, Gilmore06. This inflammation can impact the nerves and cause some numbness. Web3 Months Post ACDF JohnyH. Now, 6 months later, Im told my by my surgeon my fusion is healing perfectly and xray confirms this. It might. -No discrete labral tear. There is nonacute endplate Schmorls node T7-T8 with small central disc protrusion without mass effect. 2008 May-Jun;8(3):436-42. doi: 10.1016/j.spinee.2007.06.006. It is our goal to provide the highest level of care and service to our patients. Careers. In reply to @jenniferhunter. I understand your concern with that image. Welcome to the board. There may be a herniation at a level above or below and an MRI would reveal this possibility. I also work and stretch pec minor because that is a compression point for TOS, and have found some tools I can use to press and stretch it as I roll onto it with my body weight. I don't know if anything (other that waiting until COVID-19 urgency has passed) has changed. Thank you. Does Frozen Shoulder Sound Familiar To You? Donald Corenman, MD, DC is a highly-regarded spine surgeon, considered an expert in the area of neck and back pain. Infection. Maintaining stability of the spine. WebMuscle pain after Cervical Fusion Surgery may be due to a new shoulder injury. My pain was immediately gone, and my arm feels great. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-027387. WebPain in the back of the neck and between the shoulder blades is common after ACDF surgery. Along with the neck pain, I am also having shoulder pain. 2021 Oct;37(10):1096-1108. doi: 10.1080/09593985.2019.1683921. Epub 2011 Oct 20. See the section on the website regarding failed neck surgery syndrome. Hi this is lilypaws Did you have a fusion on your neck? 2009 Apr;9(4):275-86. doi: 10.1016/j.spinee.2008.05.006. Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is a type of spine surgery used for the treatment of neck or arm pain caused by cervical radiculopathy. So many things hurt now when I move the arm that didn't before. 8600 Rockville Pike I think it keeps it aligned instead of allowing it to rotate and shift at that point. (thoracic/paraspinal and trapezius pain/spasms upper/mid/lower trapezius and paraspinals. Also, discograms are a pre-surgical test which is again not generally recommended in the thoracic spine. I WENT THROUGH 2 YEARS OF PAIN MANAGEMENT PROCEDURES TRYING TO AVOID SURGERY, BUT I HAD A HERNIATED DISC TOUCHING MY SPINAL CORD AND 1 BULGING RIGHT BELOW IT, ALSO HAVE DDD THROUGHOUT SPINE. The second week after surgery I started to get headaches, not extremely intense, not a migraine, just a pressure headache. Medications. WHEN I STRETCH, IT FEELS LIKE I AM SEPERATING MY SPINE AND I HAVE INTENSE PAIN WHEN RETRACTING FROM THE STRETCH. I had my first surgery in 2003 and just had another Decembe 2007. After ACDF, youll want to return to your favorite activities as soon as possible, and while the recovery time might be lengthy, a recent study showed that the procedure reduced arm pain in 93-100% and neck pain in 73-87% of standard patients. I do know that what you believe makes a big difference, so don't think that your back is a mess. WebMuscle pain after Cervical Fusion Surgery may be due to a new shoulder injury. Join Date: Sep 2004. Investigation of clinically important benefit of anterior cervical decompression and fusion. Bethesda, MD 20894, Web Policies Cervical spinal cord demonstrates normal caliber and signal with syrinx or abnormal enhancement. Im being told by my surgeon this is a postural issue. WebDysphagia after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is common, with a prevalence ranging between 28% and 57% of cases. Rotator cuff tear (supraspinatus mainly) was the predominant finding in MRI in those who didnt improve after ACDF (n=18, 25.7%, p-value: 0.001). However, an ACDF is still considered major surgery, and complete recovery from an ACDF procedure can take between three to six months. The patient's pain did not improve with 6 months of conservative treatment that included physical therapy and epidural injections. Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion without instrumentation. I am 16 months post surgery now and life is awful. People with their back and neck issues deserve to get better, get their life back, and get back to work. Unable to load your collection due to an error, Unable to load your delegates due to an error. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. How are you getting along". Doing PT, home exercises and even dry needling, to no avail, it always comes back. The second was c4-7. No large paralabral cyst is seen. Rejection of a graft or other structures. This MRI however does note no evidence of compression of neurological structures so unless there is a lack of fusion, the neck is probably not the source of your pain. Late infection after an interval of time after ACDF may present with various symptoms and signs including neck pain, dysphagia, and fever accompanied with laboratory abnormalities such as elevated white blood cell count, ESR, and CRP [ 7, 17 ]. There is some imbibition of the intra-articular contrast into the superior labrum suggesting degeneration. I keep working on this with myofascial release which I was also doing for several years before my spine surgery. Rheumatoid arthritis of the cervical spine. MFR might be able to help you even if you don't exactly know the source of the pain. I did a lot of myofascial release before my surgery because I was doing this to treat the TOS, and that helped the neurosurgeon during spine surgery because my muscle was easier to retract. No evidence of hardware complication. I think and hope this helps. You may even have a thoracic disc herniation (rare but possible). Wow, that was a big surgery too. Typically it takes at least 12 months or longer to completely heal from this surgery. The results are as follows: Findings: Lower posterior fossa is normal. I called me surgen and they told me to stop the exercises they had me doing. Number one, you should always be concerned about non-union of the bone graft. This surgery involves the removal of a protruding disc from the spine for relief of pressure on the spinal nerves, followed by reconstruction. Some patients can to return to their daily activities within a week after the ACDF surgery. Of course I will be discussing this with the surgeon on Monday but wondered if anyone had thoughts on this image. Epub 2006 Dec 2. I started that last week. There has been interval anterior cervical discectomy and fusion C4-C6 and C5-C6 with apparent osseous integration of the intervening bone graft material. See Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulators (TENS) No evidence of hardware complication. Murrey D, Janssen M, Delamarter R, Goldstein J, Zigler J, Tay B, Darden B. Spine J. Bookshelf As I told you before I have a bad neck too, but PT seems to help, but my back is a mess. The more I do that, the less fatigued I get after some miles of riding, and then everything is easier, even walking and climbing stairs because I built the hip, leg and back strength by using all those muscles. Accessibility I had a MRI with contrast on the left shoulder in January to see if it might show something noteworthy and different than the one I had in August. Measurements have earlier been obtained before and 6 and 12 months after ACDF. It is very common to have some pain after the surgery, but when pain persists for months there are several possibilities. Similar areas of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament at these levels. "@amywood20 I'm sorry you are having issues. I had acdf at C5-C6. A CT scan however would eliminate that lack of fusion diagnosis for pain generation as the CT test is the gold standard for determining if fusion is solid or not. 2012;2012:919153. doi: 10.1155/2012/919153. Epub 2007 Jul 17. My low back is fine, no problems there! After the procedure, the surgical area will remain inflamed as the body heals itself. Spinal fusion is a common form of back surgery used to treat several kinds of back problems, including scoliosis, vertebral weakness, and herniated discs. The recovery time following ACDF varies. The artificial disc was removed and an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) with iliac crest bone graft was performed to reconstruct the C6-C7 level. The new device, by contrast, is much less invasive, requiring only a small incisionless than an inchon either side of the neck and takes less than 30 minutes. The last couple of weeks, by neck has started hurting pretty bad. Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is a type of spine surgery used for the treatment of neck or arm pain caused by cervical radiculopathy. I have not been seeing my PT because of COVID-19, but I continue on my own as best I can. PT, and myofascial release can help a lot, and when there is a structural problem to correct, look for the best surgeon you can find because that helps you have a successful procedure and recovery. Other goals of surgery include: Improving neck pain. It's amazing how our symptoms are so similar, I think that drs should check out this site. I wear a helmet and make sure I ride in control, or I get off if the horse's mind is somewhere else. If I don't get satisfactory answers with the neurosurgeon I am either going to go back to the shoulder doc ("if" the surgeon thinks it's a shoulder issue) or make an appointment with Mayo. The screws do seem kind of long like they could be breaking through to the spinal canal. One of the biggest issues we see after surgery is scarring around the nerves (1). Rejection of a graft or other structures. C3-C4: Minimal right uncovertebral hypertrophy. It also is normal to have some swallowing difficulty. Incorrect Screw Placement Screws and plates are utilized to stabilize the neck during Cervical Fusion Surgery. This website is the stand out source for me. I had run into that myself before I had surgery when the various surgeons who evaluated me didn't understand my symptoms. WebPost-laminectomy pain syndrome is a significant cause of pain and disability. People with their back and neck issues deserve to get better, get their life back, and get back to work. I was sent back for a C and T MRI. Hope you are doing ok. @lilypaws ACDF is anterior (frontal approach) cervical discectomy (disc removal) and fusion. Both herniations were central (pushing into the cord, right up the middle) and I never had numbness or tingling, just pain/tightness. The primary goal of surgery is to relieve your symptoms by decompressing, or relieving pressure on, the compressed nerves in your neck. Chiropractic treatment can be effective if this is the case. over a year ago, ctmom83445 Some patients can to return to their daily activities within a week after the ACDF surgery. There may be numbness in the arms. Blood Clots. You may have a problem with a rib head where it inserts into the spine. I feel unworthy to even type in this post because I have not had anything done yet and I am not in that type of pain that you, "ctmom," are experiencing. Under these circumstances, you may need an Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion . What Can You Do to Relieve Pain after Disc Fusion? I have continued with MFR since spine surgery which helped me recover from that, and make more progress on TOS. My range of motion is normal except that I cannot touch my chin to my chest when I tuck my head, but it is darn close. A week later, Tom arrived at Dr. Kachmann's office. WebThe orthopedist sent Tom for an MRI and, the same day, referred him "right away" to Michael Kachmann, MD, a neurosurgeon with Mayfield Brain & Spine.
