in need of some guidance. please reply :)

[Beedy]

i have been stressing myself a lot recently, and i am feeling worried i could cause damage to my neck.i had more spinal fusion surgery 4 weeks ago the c1 & c2 bone & a bone graft. orginally i have had surgery where only one screw was used to fixate the bones together. However this was not enough, the surgeon had to perform a permanent fix.

i have not been told what i am allowed to do. i have been on painkillers up until recently as i do not need to take them anymore. i have been kicking a football around (no contact) and i can move my neck in my collar (miami j), there is rotation, is this normal? i'm quite active.

thankyou.

[Beedy]

ok, thankyou for your response. i am worried that after a month i may have caused damage, which could prevent the bones from fusing. When you say injured do you mean fusion will not occur? will i know. i understand that other segments of the spine will take over some rotation, i was told by my neurosurgeon. I will refrain from the activities i am doing, it is hard only being 19yrs old.

thankyou, Matt.

[PaulMD]

Hi there.

I believe that your present activities are detrimental to your fusion surgery.  C1 and C2 vertebral fusion are one of the most delicate and I believe this may easily be injured again from your present activities.  Although these are already fused, there can still be some rotation movements, but only to a very limited extent.  This allowable rotation is due to the fact that other segment of the spine can still allow for this.

I suggest you have this evaluated by your surgeon and refrain from strenuous activities, especially demanding sports.

Regards and God bless.