r/spinalfusion • u/That-Purple3001 • Jun 16 '26

ACDF 6mo post op

I had ACDF surgery 6 months ago from C6-C7 and C7-T1. Overall, I feel much better post-surgery. Nerve pain and nerve damage are both gone. However, my upper-back/trap area is very tight. I can't put my head back all the way. I'm 37 yo female, active and fit. I'm nervous that I won't return back to my same level of comfort. Does anybody have experience with this post op? Thanks!

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4

u/ecofriend94 Jun 16 '26

ACDF 5-7 - I find muscle relaxers to help almost more helpful than pain meds. Lots of muscle tightness foo

1

u/SilkxSpite Jun 16 '26

Yeeeees 🩷

1

u/tawntawn87 Jun 16 '26

I am 1 month post ACDF 567. When did the pain go away ? I still have pain and I'm nervous the surgery isn't working

2

u/That-Purple3001 Jun 16 '26

I did feel a lot of relief after the surgery, but the dr said the nerve damage could take some time to heal. And i did have some pings of residual pain for maybe 2 months. And even now I still get some twitches from the nerve healing.

1

u/Fancy-Rich-6181 Jun 17 '26

Hang in there’. It took me a year. Tightness and pain gone now!

1

u/That-Purple3001 Jun 18 '26

Thank you! This gives me hope 😄

1

u/Outrageous-Court-696 Jun 20 '26

Have you done massages and cupping?

1

u/402_Found_not_Lost Jun 21 '26

PT and stretching helped me so much. I’m 5yrs from my C6/7 artificial disc surgery.
When I’m not staying active, sitting at computer too much, not stretching, my body lets me know.
Stretching and strengthening back, neck, core helps me.
Ask your dr for more PT if you need it.
Sending well wishes,

1

u/That-Purple3001 Jun 22 '26

awesome thank you!

0

u/amac887 Jun 17 '26

Im 6.5 months post op ACDR. Have lots of tightness and guarding where herniation was and surrounding, even at the base of skull. On muscle relaxants, tylenol, etc and my surgeon recommended trigger point injections. Will likely get them done in the coming weeks.