post op pain with c5 c6 fusion

post op pain with c5 c6 fusion

Q:

Age: 33 Sex: F Concern: Spinal cord injury

I am 7 weeks post op from a c5 c6 anterior fusion. Had a bone graft and metal plate. I am extremly happy and all my previous pain is gone. Prior to surgery I had spinal cord impingement and root nerve impingement. My left arm (dominate hand)was completely numb and pins and needles. ALso had extremely limited neck movement. My disc herniated due to quickly whipping my head back to avoid a dog bite at work, I am a veterinary technician. The surgery was a success and all my previous pain is gone. I am having what feels like "bone" pain in my collor bone, middle of my ribcage and in the back of my neck. It doesnt seem to cause muscle pain but feels like it is bone hurting. ALso I feel like I always have a lump in my throat. I initially had difficulty swallowing but that has resolved but still feel like something in my throat. Are these normal post op side effects? Will they eventually resolve themselves or is this something I should accept as normal for me from now on! . I taking between 15 and 20 mg lortabs every 24 to 48 hours...some days I can skip but the next day I will have to take meds to relieve the "bone pain" Thank you!

-- Laura

A:

I think you are doing quite well. It is not unreasonable to have pain 7 weeks after fusion. Hopefully, that would get better over time. You definitely should follow closely with your surgeon. I assume that the surgery was done from the front of the neck, in which case, it is not unusual to have a "lump in the throat" but that should improve. Again, you need to see your surgeon for a thorough follow up exam.

-- Sherman Nam Tran, M. D.

to ask Dr. Tran.