Burning pain after neck fusion

[Jenn67]

Hi everyone,
I am new to this community and am hoping someone can help me. I had anterior cervical fusion at C4-C5, C-5-C-6 almost 4 weeks ago. This involved donor bone, a plate, and 6 screws. I was doing so well afterwards that I was shocked! I had hardly any pain at all. I then made the mistake of reaching up in my cupboard to get something, knocking cans out of the cupboard, and turning my head as they were falling. I now have intense burning pain in the bottom left side of my neck/upper shoulder area. I told my doctor who put me on Prednisone for 5 days. He also took an x-ray and although a screw was not in straight, he said it looked fine. He told me that I irritated the nerves too early. Well, that was about a week and a half ago and I am still in a lot of pain. My pain pills, muscle relaxant, Lyrica, and Gabapentin don't even begin to touch the pain. I am now taking 4 ibuprofen every 4-6 hours to get some relief. I have an ulcer and am not supposed to be taking the ibuprofen. I don't know what to do. Is this pain going to last forever? Has anyone else experience this burning pain? It is driving me crazy.

[NurseGoody]

Monday I will be 4 wks post op from an ACDR C5-6 and ACDF C6-7...I to was told not to look up or reach above my head...I had to wear a neck collar for 2 wks strait so that kept me from doing much in my time of "HEY I FEEL GREAT...THIS IS MUCH BETTER THAN BEFORE" or I too probably would have done a no-no....although I didn't do anything like you I still have burning in my L arm....my burning was there when I woke up from surgery but was WAY LESS and tolerable...I notice if I move my neck around(I am now restricted to wear my brace only when sleeping...in a car...or walking) my burning will increase....I too was told I was irritating the nerves....Ibuprofen only loosens the tightened muscles which is the same thing the Prednisone should have done or is doing...since you have an ulcer I highly recommend NOT taking Ibu....you are only asking for more trouble(in my opinion)
I notice if I rest and take it easy for a day...maybe even wear my brace to keep me from moving neck so much...I am much better that next day....hope this helps and you find some pain relief...good luck....

~Sarah~
My comments are not a substitute for medical advice and are only related to MY personal experiences
ACDF C6-7 w/cadaver bone-plate-screws...ACDR C5-6 (4/18/11)
2 Cervical Injections (11/10 & 2/11)
Multiple PT therapies (4/10-10/10)
Multiple Med therapies (12/09-4/11)

[Jenn67]

Thanks so much for answering my post. I have such a hard time relaxing that I am sure you are right that I just need to rest more. I am not the type of person that can just sit and do nothing. I will definitely try to chill out and see if that helps. I am anxious to see what my CT scan shows when I go back for my 6 week checkup on June 2. Thanks again for taking the time to answer me! I hope you have a great recovery!

Jenn