Post Operative Problems after C6/C7 disk Surgery

[Mike]

Dr. Joshua,

I am a 40 year old male. I had an MRI which showed a degenerative endplate and uncovertebral disease at C5/C6 as well as large left sided soft tissue herniation with mild enplate changes with left canal and left foraminal stenosis and marked compression of the nerve at the entry to the foramen at C6/C7. I also had a an EMG which showed electrodiagnostic evidence of C6and or C7 root injury on the left. I had surgery to repair this 4 days ago. The incision was front right side of neck. My left arm pain is completely gone and have very little pain from surgery. However, I am having significant difficulty swallowing. Is this normal and how long will it last. It is not getting better and may be getting a little worse.

[Purple98Lady]

Hi Mike,

You need to call your dr. asap and not take any chances with swallowing problems. Could be swelling and it could get worse call!!! or be seen or both.

Good Luck,
Purple98Lady

[bowdensplace]

I had the same problem when I had my c5 - c6 surgery. I went to the ER and they told me it would get better and it did. It really scared me at first, especially when I went to bed.

[Dr. Joshua]

Swallowing difficulty is common after anterior cervical surgery and there is no need to be alarmed. I do agree with purplelady that you should always ask your own doctor for advice if you have such symptoms.

Many patients have swallowing difficulty after such surgery, and sometimes it lasts for weeks, and some discomfort in some cases may last for up to several months, but in my experience the swallowing problems will disappear with time in 100% of cases.