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Conditions and Diseases > Back Pain Forum > Shoulder pain after c5-6 fusion
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Q: Shoulder pain after c5-6 fusion
asked by: wendy587 on June 14th, 2008
New User
Neck and Shoulder pain after C5-6 fusion

I had fusion at c5-6 five months ago. When I awoke from the surgery I had awful shoulder pain. I was in recovery screaming my shoulder and bicep was killing me. When I went to neuro for post op he sent me to a doctor to look at my shoulder. I did not have shoulder pain before the neck surgery however, now I have pain in both shoulders. Eight weeks ago I had slap and rotator cuff surgery because I was told my shoulder was torn. I am not getting any better! It was my left shoulder they operated on however, now both are hurting without any relief. I don't know how my shoulder was torn bad enough to have to have slap and rotator cuff repair without knowing it........I woke up after neck surgery this way! If i indeed had this type injury I would have known it now that I have spoke to other doctors! I don't know if something happen to me on surgery table, or I never had a tear in my shoulder, now that both are doing the same thing. Could the plate be pinching a nerve? I am in awful pain, the shoulder surgery post op is wearning me out & now the right has started the same. The pain is in the bicep and in the rotator cuff area on both arms. HELP Thanks
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wendy587
replied on June 14th, 2008
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Oh btw I am in physical therpy for shoulder surgery. I am sorry I did not add that.
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Zak_han
replied on June 14th, 2008
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hi
Well,sorry to know that.

Without physical examination,It's hard to give u a accurate advice.

Clinically,It seem you used to suffer from soft tissue injury as well,that's possible reason of shoulder pain due to neck surgery stimulating.I don't think it's pinching nerves.
Soft tissue inflammation play main role for this symptoms.

Deep and intensive acupuncture can help ( not general acupuncture )

Good luck!
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Users who thank Zak_han for this post: wendy587 
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wendy587
replied on June 14th, 2008
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TY for your reply! Would mri show if there is a problem with the neck fusion? I just know I went in and came out it a lot worse pain.
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Zak_han
replied on June 14th, 2008
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It's hard to know it exactly with MRI results and I don't think your neck fusion is unsuccessful operation, Your shoulder pain was due to chronic inflammation which you have had for long time,even you didn't realize it.

Most important is find a reputable doctor for second opinion.
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wendy587
replied on June 14th, 2008
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So if this turns out to be true.......I am thinking right when I say "I don't need to let them do surgery on my left arm"? As I did with the right.... it is possible that this could have been this way and neck surgery just brought it to light?
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Zak_han
replied on June 16th, 2008
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Probably!

However,Shoulder problem is mainly due to shoulder trouble itself, neck surgery maybe lead to temporal stimulation.

So,carry on physio or something else,you should be better.

Don't too worry.
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