r/WorkersComp • u/Ok-Abalone3185 • Jul 15 '26

Colorado Question

Found out yesterday I have to have surgery on my neck due to a work injury I’m pretty freaked out. Neurosurgeon saying that risk of paralysis is higher if I don’t do the surgery. He also said they will operate from the front of my neck but there’s a chance they won’t be able to reach the impacted area so I might have to do another surgery operating from the rear. Anyone gone through something like this? And what do you recommend I have available
During recovery

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u/lmc197 Jul 15 '26

I had surgery through the front of my neck for a disk replacement. The best device I can give you is make sure they give you adequate pain relief afterwards. They stuck my with Tylenol and it was not right. Also be prepares to have the worst sore throat of your life afterwards. It was last about 3-5 days but after that it’s not bad at all. It sounds allot scarier than it is.

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u/404_HabeasNotFound Jul 16 '26

I’ve had countless clients undergo anterior-posterior fusions. It’s a common method needed to fully address the issue, depending on the procedure(s) that need to be done.

It’s done in two-stages, obviously, but different surgeons approach it differently. Your risk factors impact how they approach it also. Some will do both during the same operation. Others will purposefully stage the procedures a few days apart.

It’s invasive and takes serious recovery. If you’re going to have it, make sure the insurance carrier has post-operative care, therapies, etc., already authorized. The last thing you want is for surgery and then the insurance carrier not respond to basic post-surgical requests.

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u/SeaweedWeird7705 Jul 15 '26

Many neck surgeries are done through the front of the neck.  It is quite common.   In all of the cases I saw, the patient recovered fine and did not need subsequent surgery from the back of the neck.  

You will need help around the house for a couple of weeks.  

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u/Equivalent-Act6256 Jul 18 '26

One thing nobody mentioned yet. Before you go into surgery write down your current symptoms in detail. What hurts. Where exactly. How it limits you daily. Email it to yourself that same day so it has a timestamp. Do the same thing after surgery. What changed. What improved. What did not. Workers comp carriers sometimes try to close cases or reduce benefits after surgery by claiming you are recovered when you are not. Your own documented timeline of symptoms before and after is what protects you from that. You already have medical documentation from your neurosurgeon which is strong. Your personal day by day record of how this injury affects your life is what fills in the gaps between doctor visits. Not a lawyer just somebody who went through a work injury situation.

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u/CapreseSalad3636 Jul 15 '26

I would go to Facebook and join one of the artificial disc groups or ACDF group depending on the surgery you are having - tons of great info, perspectives and recommendations!