bone graft

[wanda562]

I HAD A BONE GRAFT INFUSION ON CERVICAL SPINE 2007. HAVING (ACHING) CONSTANT UPPER BACK  AND CHEST AREA ALSO HAD SWELLING OF THE NECK AND SWALLOWING PROBLEMS WITH LARGE PILLS OR SWALLOWING FOOD

[wanda562]

THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS. I FOLLOWED
UP THE MY SPINE DOCTOR. I AM STARTING PHYSICAL THERAPY
SOON.

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi!
The upper back ache and swelling can be due to wrong posture or due to pinched cervical spinal nerves. You have to discuss the best treatment option with a neurologist, which can range from medication to physiotherapy to traction, cervical collars or even surgery. Alternatively you can visit a chiropractor or a physical therapist and learn some exercises which you can do to relieve the compression, but consulting a neurologist is a must.
Swallowing has 3 phases, oral, pharyngeal, and esophageal.  Hence it is important to analyze the pattern of dysphagia or difficulty in swallowing and important to know which phase is affected the most.  Postoperative dysphagia especially after a cervical surgery (usually in the anterior approach) is analyzed by videofluroscopic swallow studies. Depending on the pattern, the injury may be to the hypoglossal nerve, pharyngeal nerve, superior laryngeal nerve, esophageal plexus of vagus nerve or compression of a spinal nerve.
Hence it is important to find out whether there is really a permanent damage (in which I am sorry but nothing can be done) or whether there is compression of the nerves causing temporary damage which can with time progress to permanent damage.  
Since I cannot examine you and know other related conditions you may be having, nor is a detailed history possible on net, I have listed the various possibilities that should be looked into. Please consult your doctor. Take care!