Question
QUESTION: i had fusion cervical c5-c6-c7 still having alot of pain mri showed arthritis at c1-2 and or occiptal neuragia,im on skelaxin, neurontin, cymbalta, mobic,and does not help at all. any sugestion,would be great, thanks scott.

ANSWER: In order to give you a good answer, I'll need to know a few things.  How long ago was the fusion? Where is the pain located? What other therapies have been tried so far?  The answers to those questions will help me give you the best answer for your specific case.

Thanks for your question, Scott.  I look forward to being of help to you.

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QUESTION: the fusion was 5 months ago the pain is back of my skull,serious stiffness and sharpe pains,    both sides of neck c 1 2 area with stiffness and sharp pains when i try to turn my head,ive had xtensive therapy with no help thanks

Answer
It is still relatively early in your recovery from the surgery and the resulting pain may resolve with time, particularly the pain associated with the occipital neuralgia.

Occipital neuralgia is a distinct type of headache characterized by piercing, throbbing, or electric-shock-like chronic pain in the upper neck, back of the head, and behind the ears, usually on one side of the head.  Typically, the pain of occipital neuralgia begins in the neck and then spreads upwards.  Some individuals will also experience pain in the scalp, forehead, and behind the eyes.  

The location of pain is related to the areas supplied by the greater and lesser occipital nerves, which run from the area where the spinal column meets the neck, up to the scalp at the back of the head.  The pain is caused by irritation or injury to the nerves, which can be the result of trauma to the back of the head, pinching of the nerves by overly tight neck muscles, compression of the nerve as it leaves the spine due to osteoarthritis, or tumors or other types of lesions in the neck.  

Many individuals will improve with therapy involving heat, rest, anti-inflammatory mediations, and muscle relaxants.  Recovery is usually complete after the bout of pain has ended and the nerve damage repaired or lessened.

Thank you for your question, Scott.  I hope that my answer was helpful.