# 12 week Post op update **URL:** \ **Category:** General\ **Created:** [August 22, 2026, 9:21am UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/12-week-post-op-update/24073 "2026-08-22T09:21:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bcats0318](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/dbc845/32.png) [@Bcats0318](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Bcats0318)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2026, 9:21am UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/12-week-post-op-update/24073/1 "2026-08-22T09:21:30Z")
Hello all. 12 weeks (this past Wed) since my left transcervical styloidectomy. I have conflicting feelings… the styloidectomy did help resolve the pain i had from the errant SP and i’m so grateful for that, but i’ve traded that pain for a different pain. Right after surgery i developed weakness in the left side of my mouth and weakness in my left arm; a risk the surgeon mentioned but facial numbness and weakness were what she focused on. Never said anything about arm weakness but i wasnt totally surprised because i knew about it because of this forum. Over about 6 weeks post op the mouth/lip weakness gradually went away and i was hopeful the arm weakness would too but it hasn’t. At my 2 week post op visit with my surgeon she was surprised to hear i had arm weakness (i think i mentioned that in my previous posts). I cannot raise with flexion (forward) more than 90° or shoulder height. I cannot adduct past about 30-40° and it’s much more painful than flexion although both are painful. I have difficulty with reaching above waist height, lifting anything remotely heavy unless i hold it close to my body. I have difficulty getting dressed/undressed, cannot reach the back of my head or raise my arm enough to wash my underarm or wash my hair unless i hold with my other hand. Reaching out to pull the car door shut is almost impossible, i find myself using my chest/back/neck muscles to swing my arm enough to grab the door, reach something at shoulder height, etc. My shoulder aches down into my upper arm, pain wakes me from sleep. In the mornings when i first get up i have terrible pain in my collarbone area..it hurts so much to move my arm in any direction until about two hours after i’m up and moving around. My hand is tingly daily and numb frequently esp if i do passive rom forward (flexion) stretches for very long. I’m paranoid about developing frozen shoulder so i try to keep moving and stretching. My surgeon referred me to PT which i started on july 24, 2-3 times a week and there’s been no improvement at all. I asked my pcp to request an xray of my shoulder and EMG of my arm. EMG was done july 22 and xray was Aug 4. It took them forever to get the EMG results to my pcp and i finally heard from them yesterday it was “normal”! SO NOW WHAT?? I’m really frustrated. Today i asked my pcp for a mri of my shoulder. The xray report noted osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint…no big surprise there - i knew i had OA in various places, i’m 67, duh. Xrays wont show soft tissue problems obviously. I’m sure next step is referral to orthopedic specialty. I paused PT till i can get more imaging and answers. PT told me yesterday he thinks it’s rotator cuff based on my symptoms. All i freaking know is that before may 27 i could raise my arm normally and no collarbone pain. I knew to expect some post op swelling/pain/weakness; i’ve had enough surgeries to expect the 6-8 week intense post op recovery, weird swelling, bruising, etc but by 12 weeks i was hoping to see more improvement in my arm. All i can think of is that something happened to my shoulder/neck during positioning for and during surgery and/or right after during transfer to pacu. How else do i make sense of this?? I want to punch something but cant afford another medical bill! Sorry for the long vent. I needed it. Thanks for being here. ---
**Author:** ![Jules](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwitheagle.org/jules/32/404_2.png) [@Jules](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Jules)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2026, 11:05am UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/12-week-post-op-update/24073/2 "2026-08-22T11:05:29Z")
I’m so sorry that your arm weakness and pain hasn’t improved- you would expect it to be at least improving a bit by now, especially as you have had PT… I do wonder if shoulders are particularly difficult to treat, even with PT, so an MRI sounds a good idea, especially as the EMG came back normal! (My hubby has shoulder and arm pain and weakness, he’s seen an osteopath and different physio’s, who all contradict each other and none can agree on what might be the issue, x-ray normal!) It sounds like you’ve been realistic to recovery, so I can completely understand your frustration…Could the lymphedema be impacting this at all, pain and loss of mobility might be contributing? You might find this discussion by @Millcf helpful, there’s some info but also a 4 month update: [Shoulder pain and weakness after surgery - General - Living with Eagle](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/shoulder-pain-and-weakness-after-surgery/12525) We did have a couple of members who had quite bad arm and shoulder issues post-surgery, but I can’t find their posts, I’m not sure that they ever came back to say if it improved or not though… I hope the MRI will show something that can be worked on… sending you hugs and prayers 🤗 🙏 ---
**Author:** ![MGORNEAU](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/76d3ee/32.png) [@MGORNEAU](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/MGORNEAU)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2026, 3:58pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/12-week-post-op-update/24073/3 "2026-08-22T15:58:30Z")
@Bcats0318 I’m really sorry you’re dealing with this. I asked AI about the pattern you’re describing because the fact that the weakness started immediately after a transcervical neck surgery, along with the temporary facial weakness, seems worth looking at beyond just arthritis or even a rotator cuff issue. One thing it suggested asking about is spinal accessory nerve/trapezius dysfunction, since that nerve can be affected during neck surgery and can cause significant shoulder pain, weakness, difficulty raising the arm above shoulder level, and problems with normal scapular movement. It also mentioned brachial plexus or cervical nerve traction from surgical positioning, especially because you’re having tingling/numbness into the hand, which wouldn’t really be explained by the spinal accessory nerve alone. A shoulder MRI makes sense to look for rotator cuff or other soft-tissue injury, but given how this started, AI also suggested asking whether a cervical spine MRI would be appropriate to look for a cervical nerve/root issue. It also suggested asking whether your EMG actually tested the spinal accessory nerve/trapezius, because a “normal arm EMG” may not necessarily rule that out. Obviously none of that means that’s what happened, but with normal shoulder function before surgery and immediate weakness afterward, I think it’s very reasonable to keep advocating for an answer. 💛 ---
**Author:** ![Isaiah\_40\_31](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwitheagle.org/isaiah_40_31/32/3054_2.png) [@Isaiah\_40\_31](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Isaiah_40_31)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2026, 12:59am UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/12-week-post-op-update/24073/4 "2026-08-23T00:59:00Z")
@Bcats0318 - I think what @MGORNEAU provided from AI gives some interesting possibilities & suggestions as to how to move forward, though you’ve already mentioned an MRI. You might try to see if you can get a FIESTA or CISS MRI of your spinal accessory nerve/brachial plexus as those MRIs show nerves in particular & could show entrapment. ---
**Author:** ![Bcats0318](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/dbc845/32.png) [@Bcats0318](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Bcats0318)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2026, 8:12am UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/12-week-post-op-update/24073/5 "2026-08-23T08:12:29Z")
Thank you for yje suggestions. I will be seeing my pcp on monday and will discuss these things with him. His m.a. told me yesterday i shouldnt have a mri of my neck if i have fusion hardware, which i do. I had an ACDF at C4-7 in 2019. I had a CT-a of my neck prior to my styloidectomy so i may not get the mri of my neck or need one, not sure yet. Just so many questions! ---
**Author:** ![Jules](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwitheagle.org/jules/32/404_2.png) [@Jules](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Jules)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2026, 2:53pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/12-week-post-op-update/24073/6 "2026-08-23T14:53:22Z")
Ah, that complicates things! But maybe an MRI of just the shoulder would be a start to look for any rotator cuff injury at least, if that’s possible with your neck fusion? ---
**Author:** ![MGORNEAU](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/76d3ee/32.png) [@MGORNEAU](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/MGORNEAU)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2026, 3:04pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/12-week-post-op-update/24073/7 "2026-08-23T15:04:58Z")
@Bcats0318 I have metal clips in my neck and have had multiple cervical spine MRI’s. My surgeries were in 2021 and 2022. The hardware used at that time was not an issue for MRI. I would see what type of hardware they used before walking away from an MRI that can show soft tissue lesions, etc that a CT cannot. ---
**Author:** ![Bcats0318](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/dbc845/32.png) [@Bcats0318](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Bcats0318)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2026, 6:09pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/12-week-post-op-update/24073/9 "2026-10-07T18:09:53Z")
Post op update/4 mo. Still cant lift my arm properly. No improvement after 5-1/2 weeks pt. Our insurance changed end of august so that’s put a pause on pt, more imaging, etc because they cant get their shit coordinated so i’m falling thru the cracks. My previous insurance demanded 6 weeks of pt before they’d authorize a mri. That’s where things stand now. I’m so discouraged, frustrated and in pain (collarbone area). I need to call my pcp and see if he can re-order the mri. Also perhaps re-do the emg with specific SAN/trapezius testing. Sorry for the rant. I did message my styloidectomy surgeon just to let her know i was still having post op issues with my arm but she’s basically said she’d just send referrals and nothing more she can do. My eagles symptoms and post op surgical pain have mostly resolved so at least there’s that. Oh and to top it off i received a letter from my insurance co yesterday that they have denied coverage for my styloidectomy stating it’s not medically necessary to treat eagle’s syndrome according to some “CPB criteria”, I cant remember exactly. I can post more details later. Thx everyone. ---
**Author:** ![MGORNEAU](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/76d3ee/32.png) [@MGORNEAU](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/MGORNEAU)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2026, 8:32pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/12-week-post-op-update/24073/10 "2026-10-07T20:32:47Z")
@Bcats0318 Redoing the EMG with specific SAN/trapezius testing sounds like a very good next step. On the MRI, I would not necessarily accept another blanket “6 weeks of PT first” denial without looking closely at how the authorization is submitted. The wording can matter a lot. In your case, this is not simply chronic shoulder pain — you had normal arm function before surgery, then developed immediate postoperative weakness and loss of range of motion that has persisted for four months despite PT. I would make sure the request clearly documents the acute postoperative onset, persistent weakness and functional deficit, pain, failed conservative treatment, and concern for a structural or neurologic injury. It can make a big difference whether the authorization is framed around something vague like myopathy versus a specific suspected postoperative lesion, nerve injury, or structural abnormality that the MRI is actually intended to evaluate. Are you open to posting the exact language from the Eagle surgery denial? I’d be curious to see what CPB criteria they relied on, because that may be something we can look at separately. ---
**Author:** ![Isaiah\_40\_31](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwitheagle.org/isaiah_40_31/32/3054_2.png) [@Isaiah\_40\_31](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Isaiah_40_31)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2026, 1:50am UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/12-week-post-op-update/24073/11 "2026-10-08T01:50:19Z")
@Bcats0318 - If you want to send your insurance denial directly to @MGORNEAU, just click on her screen name in this sentence & that will take you to a page where you can send her a private message & you two can work on your insurance issue with some privacy. ---
**Author:** ![Chrickychricky](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwitheagle.org/chrickychricky/32/15581_2.png) [@Chrickychricky](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Chrickychricky)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2026, 12:19pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/12-week-post-op-update/24073/12 "2026-10-08T12:19:29Z")
@Bcats0318 Sorry to hear about all of this. I agree with @MGORNEAU about the EMG. It can take quite a long time for nerves irritated by surgery to heal. It would be good to look at the language of the denial. Usually the doctor can file an appeal. Also possible they could refill it using different codes. ---
**Author:** ![Jules](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwitheagle.org/jules/32/404_2.png) [@Jules](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Jules)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2026, 2:22pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/12-week-post-op-update/24073/13 "2026-10-08T14:22:34Z")
I’m sorry that you’re still having pain, good news that you’re ES symptoms have improved but really frustrating for you! I can imagine that it’s a real struggle to find the will to battle insurance companies on top of that, so I hope that @MGORNEAU is able to give you some advice about that. We have had some posts about appealing insurance, I don’t know if they’re helpful at all but there might be some useful info, here are the links: [Dr Osborne- Blue Cross Blue Shield Out of Network Waiver-2025 - Welcome / New User Help - Living with Eagle](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/dr-osborne-blue-cross-blue-shield-out-of-network-waiver-2025/19658) [Update …final appeal - General - Living with Eagle](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/update-final-appeal/15203) Sending you a hug & prayers 🤗 🙏 ---
**Author:** ![Bcats0318](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/dbc845/32.png) [@Bcats0318](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Bcats0318)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2026, 7:06am UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/12-week-post-op-update/24073/14 "2026-10-13T07:06:29Z")
Thank you for the clarifying language for testing and imaging that i can discuss with my pcp. We finally have our new insurance plan ID’s so i can start on being seen again. Brenda