I had a cervical fusion done at C4-C7 4 years ago, but I am still in pain. Do I need it redone?
This is difficult question without seeing you and your films. Most cervical fusions heal 1 year after surgery. If the X-rays and/or CT scan showed healed fusion of C4-C7 (that is C4-5, C5-6 and C6-7) revision will unlikely help your neck pain. Your neck pain maybe from breakdown of another level of your spine such as C3-4 or C7-T1. This is called adjacent level disease. After fusion surgery, the disks beside the fusion must take up the extra movement lost by the fused levels. This may increase “wear and tear” on these disks, increasing the chance of developing future problems. It is possible one of your other disks have now become painful. You may also have neck pain from stiff weak neck muscles. You may benefit from daily neck stretches.
Please see the following blog posting for instructions on neck stretches. Please contact Executive Spine Surgery to schedule an appointment. Good Luck!