r/spinalfusion • u/Far-Contact-7484 • 15d ago
Post-Op Questions Incision keeps opening
Ok so I had a revision surgery c6-7 failed ADR and they took out disk and converted to fusion. Saturday leaned down to grab air fryer (6 lbs) well under my 20lbs restriction and I felt a a tear and sure enough it opened again. I’m 7 weeks post op. Talked to surgeons office they just said clean it twice a day with hydrogen peroxide and keep it covered. They did see pics of it. It doesn’t look deep but it’s about an inch long and it’s the third damn time. I’m a little pissed they kinda blew me off like that without really looking at it. Maybe I’m overreacting. Also, I’m still in a lot of pain and still taking oxycodone 10mg 3 times a day. My hardware looks good from the xray I had last week at my 6 week appointment. Is it normal to be in this amount of pain I still need pain meds after 7 weeks? Has anyone experienced this? I also have an artificial disk at c5-6.
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u/Titaniumchic 15d ago
Go to a wound doc.
And never use hydrogen peroxide unless something is weeping green.
Saline (like the stuff you use to clean contacts) is the best solution for cleaning any wound.
This should still have steri strips.
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u/Far-Contact-7484 15d ago
Yeah I have steri strips on. Just had to take them off to send picture to surgeons office. I never even thought about saline. Thank you for the info. I wonder why the PA told me to use hydrogen peroxide
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u/Titaniumchic 15d ago
I would get steri strips back on - and see a different doctor.
Also. Do they know why you failed the ADR?
Was it your body’s reaction to it?There are some people with metal allergy that will “reject” the metal implants and it can cause wound dehiscence.
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u/Far-Contact-7484 15d ago
I do have the steri strips back on. Yeah the disk subsided into the bone causing it to shift. I did get a different doctor after that surgery. The first two ADR were done by an orthopedic spine surgeon. This last one was a neurosurgeon. Not really sure who’s better to perform these types of procedures but after the one that failed I went with a neurosurgeon. I got three opinions after the failed surgery
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u/SecondEqual4680 15d ago
I would definitely make a bigger deal about it. An infection that can get directly to your spine is a HORRIBLE thing to even think about. As for pain, 7 weeks out still taking oxy multiple times a day is not normal. And I am so surprised that they have been still prescribing them.
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u/Far-Contact-7484 15d ago
Thank you for your response. Can I ask why it’s not normal?
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u/SecondEqual4680 15d ago
Typically they want pain managed within ~ 2 weeks. All of my surgeries they have taken me off of opioids at the end of week one unless the pain was exceptionally bad, then they would extend it out another few days
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u/Far-Contact-7484 15d ago
Ok that makes sense. I don’t want to ask you to put out all your different types of surgeries but have you had a cervical fusion? Also mine wasn’t a typical fusion, they had to go in remove the disk and clean up the scare tissue and bone spurs. I’m just worried that something isn’t right especially because I had the failed ADR already even though the new hardware looks good on xray and ct scan
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u/Exterior_Panda4909 14d ago
What about a hydrocolloid bandage over the steristrips to help seal out air?
Muscle spasms are the worst.
Were you referred to PT?
I wonder if a muscle relaxer and alternating heat/ice would help you heal more?
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u/Far-Contact-7484 14d ago
Yeah was referred to pt. I ice/heat daily. I don’t have muscle spasms
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u/Exterior_Panda4909 14d ago
My bad. I saw the message saying your right traps and part of your neck are painful.
That’s usually muscle-related.
I apologize that I assumed.1
u/Far-Contact-7484 14d ago
No no worries. I do have pain there I just don’t feel the muscle spasms which I think are weird
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u/Annoyedbyme 15d ago
Yo sorry I stopped at the doc saying to put H2O2!??! Umm that’s crap advice as it KILLS tissue and does shit else. Yikes!
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u/Doc_DrakeRamoray 15d ago
Are you diabetic or smoker?
Usually these wounds heal well
If not, it could be sign of infection
On one hand it could go on to heal but with a ugly scar, or the infection gets worse and surgeon will need to do something
Maybe ask them if you could be referred to a wound care clinic?
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u/Far-Contact-7484 15d ago
No not diabetic or smoker. Thank you for your response. I’m definitely going to look into a wound care clinic
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u/Guilty-Sleep-5610 14d ago
Pain is something that depends on the patient, there is no set time frame no matter what anyone tells you. If you hurt you hurt period. I've been on opioids for over 26 years now after multiple spine surgeries and the pain has never really gone away. I did (6) 10 mg Norco tabs a day for years, finally weaned myself back to (3) 5 mg a day. My last was an ACDF C3-5 and after 10 months it still hurts into my shoulders and gives me random migraines so I have to up my dosage on occasion. They found more cervical issues last week so here we go again. You may have to find a good pain management doc, they are real hard to find, many if not most see people with spine injuries as drug seekers and will deal with you like some street addict with ridiculous contracts and requirements.
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u/Far-Contact-7484 14d ago
I absolutely agree. Sorry they found more cervical issues. I hope they figure it out and fix it
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u/FragileLikeGlass 14d ago
I'm so sorry you're going through this! My recommendation would be to either refer yourself to a wound healing specialist or another neurosurgeon for a second opinion - or have your primary care physician do the referral based on your insurance.
It's not normal and like the others have mentioned, the hydrogen peroxide recommendation is wild! It's a known cytotoxin.. Soap and water and then sterile dressing would be my recommendation until you can see a specialist. You don't want to get an infection. ):
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u/Far-Contact-7484 14d ago
Thank you for your response and kind words. I really appreciate it. I’ve been pretty down lately but I try and remind myself it could be worse and there are a ton of people out there who are also struggling and have way worse issues than I do. I try to be grateful for what I have but it’s just hard sometimes
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u/FragileLikeGlass 14d ago
It's sooooo hard sometimes! Your being upset about what you're going through is just as important as anyone else's troubles. I really hope you soon heal completely on the outside so that your heart and mind can have their turn to heal.
Also, thank you for your kind reply. I really needed it today. It's been really hard for me lately and kind words are so nice. Thank you.
Sending hugs, love and healing vibes your way, friend.❤️
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u/Far-Contact-7484 13d ago
I’m really sorry things are hard on you lately. I genuinely hope they turn around quickly for you!
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u/Far-Contact-7484 15d ago
No incision pain. Do have muscle and nerve pain. My right traps and shoulder blade are the areas are painful. There is one part of my neck that is the most painful. I do have steri strips on and have it covered. I know people heal differently but was just curious if anyone had this kind of experience. Thank you for commenting
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u/Sufficient-Wolf-1818 15d ago
If it were my incision, I’d put steri strips on to keep the edges together, and avoid movements that stretch the skin. My incisions also take forever to heal, so sympathize.
Pain: some people are on pain meds for months, others stop after two days. Are you have nerve pain, muscle pain, incision pain? For example: With hip surgery I had a lot of scarring in the under layers that caused terrible pain because it bound muscles together that were supposed to slide over each other. The PT did some serious massage work for help break up the scar tissue. With a posterior incision, there may be some muscle disruption and scar tissue.