Can look side to side but looking down HURTS!

[ljturner5366]

Hi all,

Since my surgery on 1/26 I have been feeling better for the most part. I have pretty much regained range of motion in my neck.Still a little stiff but not too bad, especially when I turn my head from side to side.  The problem is when I bend my head down, there is still a lot of tightness and it feels like the incision is being stretched. Very painful.

Is there anyhting I can put on the scar to loosen up how tight the skin feels?

Thanks!!

[ljturner5366]

Thanks for the replies...Selma I did happen to use a different shampoo yesterday - maybe too drying.

I agree with stopping when it pulls or feels to stretched, that does seem to help.  I didn't have a duraplasty so I think this is more muscle/skin...and as with the side to side head turns I imagine it will get better.

I see my NS next week so I will ask about putting something on it to decrease the tightness.

Having more good than bad days, as everyone says the key is to listen to your body and back off when it screams "You're doing too much"!!  I'm finding that I can get through the work week but weekends are devoted to rest. I am lucky to have a very understanding partner who has given me plenty of encouragement to take it easy. It can be a challenge for me!

[Rylanesmom]

My NS said where you feel the pull is where you stop not to over do it.   I have found the direction that hurt the most Pre op hurts the most post op.  is that the case for others?

[Jenn444]

Looking down was a problem for me for almost a year and still causes issues if I read or write for too long at a stretch. Did you have duraplasty? If so, that is likely part of the reason it is hurting you so because when you bend your neck forward, the nerve bundles in the neck at the base of the skull are involved. For quite a while after surgery, those nerves may be  highly sensitized so that when you look down, they "pull" a bit and also stimulate nerves around the duraplasty site where a bit of scar tissue may be forming. It does get better with time. I followed my PT instructions and gently did the forward stretches religiously. At about 6 months, they gave me different neck exercises to do that helped even further. My NS said time would be the biggest healer for that issue because the nerves can take a good while to calm down completely so don't despair!  It was so painful for me that I finally got an okay to wear a soft collar at night when I slept and when I was watching tv, etc. just to prevent me from accidentally looking down or bending my neck down in my sleep! My NS said I could only use it sparingly though because it impedes the healing/strengthening of the neck muscles to wear one too much.

As for the dryness, as Selma said I wouldn't put anything on the incision until you get an okay from your NS because it is important that the wound
is fully closed. Once you get the okay, I used Mederma and coconut oil. I doubt the Mederma did anything to reduce the scar but it felt better to put it on! The coconut oil is great for your skin and doesn't have a bunch of chemicals in it. Part of the sensation of dryness comes from the itching sensation of the internal stitches healing and drawing the skin in.

Glad you are doing well otherwise!

Jen

[linnielou232]

I had this problems also.  I say moderation is the best.  I used to crochet and sew a lot, but now I realize doing thing's in moderation will help stretch these muscles out.  As Selma mentioned talk to the Dr about this and maybe he can suggest something.  I do find doing the stretch exercises do help even though I'm kind of eased up on them. :(    Glad to hear everything else is going really well.  I'm 17mths post op and still find I have some really bad day's, but I bring them on myself from not listening to what my body is trying to tell me.

[selmaS]

  I would suggest talking to ur Dr first to be sure the incision is completely healed b4 u apply nething to it and see what he would suggest.

How often r u washing ur hair?, and r u using the J&J baby shampoo? over washing ur hair at this point can dry the skin and cause it to pull.

Also do neck exercises looking down , a little at a time to slowly stretch that area....

   So glad ur range of motion is restored...and u r doing well : )