Neck pain is just unbearable.

I have not had fusion surgery but I have had quite a number of nerve blocks done for neck pain. I had a head injury two years ago and damaged the facet joints on my c-spine at c1 - c4, damaged c4 disc as well as nerve damage to the greater and lesser sub-occipital nerves.

I used to run before this accident (a collision with a skier) and on advice from physio took up swimming which in turn made the pain so much worse.

I saw many different professional (physio, chiro, acupunture, myotherapies, naturopathy, rolfing, osteo and a few other more out their options) The reality was that it didn't really work. I got short term relief but I was back seeing someone once or twice a week. After two years of this it was financially unsustainable and not getting any better was emotionally distressing.

Earlier this year I refered to a specialist pain management clinic at the hospital where I work. They did my nerve blocks, arranged appropriate physiotherapy and also sessions with a pain management psychologist. I get pretty good pain relief from the blocks (probably around 40-50% improvement in my pain). I can now build up my ride lengths. I had the same problem with not being able to hold my head up....and I lean to the left!

The most helpful thing the pain clinic has done is provide me with intergrated care. Before this I was being bounced from physio, to neurologist, to neurosurgen and back again. They have also helped me strategies to manage the pain - which as chronic pain is likely that I will have to deal with in some capacity for the rest of my life.

I still have some issues out on the road. I am terrified of another head injury! I have restricted movement to the right so I can't ride on my own on busy roads as merging is problematic. I can't check over my shoulder that well so cars can sneak up on me (we ride/drive on the left hand side of the road...just so that makes sense :lol: )

My balance is also pretty rubbish but this is a risk of doing blocks/ablations on the upper c-spine joints.

But all in all I am much better than I was.