Complications of surgery

by anita
(melbourne Australia)

Complications of surgery

Tingling, burning shoulder blades collar bone area going downwards little finger.

i have done fusion of C5C6

after that i got neck muscle spasm both sides /shoulder blades burning / numbness travelling till little finger

i went back to the surgeon he did neck xray says fusion is in straight line now i am getting worried i should have felt better

Hello Anita,

You don't mention how long ago you had the surgery, nor whether these symptoms have started since the surgery, or whether you had them before the operation.

I can understand your frustration.

Sorry to point this out, but the operation may have been done at the wrong level. The little finger is supplied by the C8 dermatome - the nerve that emerges from between C7-T1.

In addition, two further conditions commonly cause tingling in the little finger side of the hand.
1. A Thoracic Outlet syndrome

2. A cervical rib

Type these terms into the Search this site at C-H. A C5-C6 operation would be unlikely to help either of these conditions.

If the surgery was recent, give it some time. If it's been 4-6 months or longer, discuss it with your doctor, and perhaps ask for a second opinion from another surgeon.

Before another operation, you might think of a consult with a local experienced chiropractor. Ask your GP for a name...

Sorry to be bearer of bad news.

Dr B