Scar tissue after surgery?

[swatkind]

Hi all,
I'm almost 3 months post-op. Things are generally going well.  My Chiari symptoms have really been almost non-existant and I'm slowing returning back to normal.  So, for those of you thinking of surgery or just a few weeks post-op...hang in there!

My question is related to post-op range of motion.  My neurosurgeon perscribed physical therapy about 6 weeks ago and I'm following up with him next week.  My physical therapist has tried really hard to regain my range of motion, but I'm estimating that I have 50% back.  The PT thinks I have developed scar tissue between vertebra, which is keeping me from being able to turn my head.  Has anyone else experience this problem?  If so, did it require repeat surgery?  I had to have several repeat surgeries after ACL reconstruction due to scar tissue and I'm really hoping I'm not heading down that road again.

[selmaS]

   May I ask then y u had the neck brace?......I am asking bcuz my Dr had me start moving my neck while still in the hospital....and continue on my own once home to help prevent the muscles from getting stiff and scar tissue from forming....I was also told at one point post op to go to PT< but I developed a different issue and PT was left out of my healing process...but I do have a better ROM post op then I had b4 surgery....

Good luck on Tuesday <3

[swatkind]

No fushion.  I had a C1 laminectomy (obviously this is probably the cause of the problems...) with duraplasty.  The PT, in consultation with my surgeon, has started to essentually dig his fingers into the space between my vertebra in hopes of lossening whatever is in there up. He really puts a lot of pressure on, and I'm a little concerned that it's going to compromise the dura patch. But, the surgeon seems to think that at 3 months the risks of hurting the patch are less than the long-term complications of having a stiff neck since I'm very active.  I follow-up with the surgeon next Tuesday, and until then I'll keep my fingers crossed!

[selmaS]

  Oh did u have a fusion too?.....that could be y....I did not have that or a neck brace....makes sense,....

It just may take more time to get things moving, not sure how fast scar tissue can form, as we are all different in that regard...with some it can take yrs to grow and bcome a problem while others may have it sooner.....

It just may be all that time in the brace and u r stiff....do u use heat b4 and after PT?

[swatkind]

Hi Selma,
I wore a neck brace at night for a few weeks after surgery and wasn't encouraged to move around until I started PT.  I assumed range of motion woukd return quickly after starting PT because my therapist is so aggressive.

[selmaS]

  Hi....I have not had this issue is but I have a question...did u start with ne exercises for ur neck b4 the 6 weeks?

I was started while still in the hospital and continued b4 I was to start PT...so just wondering.