Lingering neck pain years after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) may result from factors like adjacent segment disease, soft tissue scarring, incomplete decompression or spinal instability. Follow up with your surgeon for imaging tests to pinpoint the cause.

There are many reasons why patients may experience abnormal pain in the neck after surgery. There could be damage to nerves, muscles, or the spinal cord. Some bone grafts are not compatible (“fail”) in their new location. Persistent inflammation at the site of the fusion can impede the healing process.

The most common reason for experiencing continued nerve pain after a fusion surgery is inadequate decompression of a pinched nerve during the initial procedure. If the spinal cord nerve is still fully or partially compressed, you’ll have lingering pain and symptoms afterward. Another reason may be scar tissue formation during the healing process.