[Donald Corenman, MD, DC]

#22103

It is not typical to have a large hematoma develop in your neck after ADCF surgery. Three questions come to mind.

Did you have BMP (bone morphogenic protein) used in your neck surgery as this can cause significant neck swelling?

Did you have a drain in your neck after surgery as a collection of blood can develop after surgery?

Finally, did you have an injury to the esophagus as infection is very rare in the front of the neck and suspicion of an infection after ACDF has to consider a perforation of the esophagus (which has bacteria in it and can be the source of infection if perforated during surgery)?

Dr. Corenman

PLEASE REMEMBER, THIS FORUM IS MEANT TO PROVIDE GENERAL INFORMATION ON SPINE ANATOMY, CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS. TO GET AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS, YOU MUST VISIT A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL IN PERSON.
 
Donald Corenman, MD, DC is a highly-regarded spine surgeon, considered an expert in the area of neck and back pain. Trained as both a Medical Doctor and Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Corenman earned academic appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and his research on spine surgery and rehabilitation has resulted in the publication of multiple peer-reviewed articles and two books.

[Rozy56]

#22110

I did not have Bmp. A drain was not inserted. When the Dr. called the ER, an UF doctor and ENT were both involved. I had a swallow study and endoscopy prior to the second surgery. They did not show any damage. An ENT and my spine surgeon both did the second proceedure. The ENT did not see any evidence if damage to the esophagus. I was NPO and had a nasogastric tube for 4 days followed by clear liquids for a day as a precaution in case there was a micro tear that was not evident. I had a second swallow study when the tube was removed which was also normal

[Donald Corenman, MD, DC]

#22116

They are treating you like you had an esophageal tear. Infection generally is caused by these tears. The fact that you did not have a drain placed immediately after surgery can allow blood to pool and a hematoma to occur. You should eventually have a good result once the infection is cleared.

Dr. Corenman

PLEASE REMEMBER, THIS FORUM IS MEANT TO PROVIDE GENERAL INFORMATION ON SPINE ANATOMY, CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS. TO GET AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS, YOU MUST VISIT A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL IN PERSON.
 
Donald Corenman, MD, DC is a highly-regarded spine surgeon, considered an expert in the area of neck and back pain. Trained as both a Medical Doctor and Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Corenman earned academic appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and his research on spine surgery and rehabilitation has resulted in the publication of multiple peer-reviewed articles and two books.

[Rozy56]

#22120

Is it normal to experience spasms by the shoulder blade and down the arm 1 week post 2 Level ACDF? What causes the spasms? Muscle relaxers and heating pads don’t touch the spasms.

[Donald Corenman, MD, DC]

#22125

Spasms in the posterior shoulders one week post ACDF surgery is not common but does occur occasionally. Arm pain is less common (unless the arm pain was preexisting). The shoulder pain and spasm could occur from the distraction of the old collapsed disc space (which an ACDF is designed to do). The spasms can be treated by a muscle relaxer such as Soma or Valium.

If this is new arm pain, then a short course of oral steroids can be helpful. If that does not work, a new MRI might be called for.

Dr. Corenman

PLEASE REMEMBER, THIS FORUM IS MEANT TO PROVIDE GENERAL INFORMATION ON SPINE ANATOMY, CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS. TO GET AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS, YOU MUST VISIT A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL IN PERSON.
 
Donald Corenman, MD, DC is a highly-regarded spine surgeon, considered an expert in the area of neck and back pain. Trained as both a Medical Doctor and Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Corenman earned academic appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and his research on spine surgery and rehabilitation has resulted in the publication of multiple peer-reviewed articles and two books.

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