Does position of head during hysterectomy cause neck pain?

I've been having terrible neck pain and headaches since 4 days post-op and I'm wondering if it could be from the position my head/neck was in during surgery.

Was my head tilted back and did I have a breathing tube down my throat? I didn't have any neck pain for the first 4 days, but I've had it non-stop for 2 weeks now. It's hard to drive because it's super painful to turn my head! It hurts even when I keep my head still. Tylenol and ibuprofen don't help much.

I know that I was tilted head down during my 3 hour surgery, and my neck hurt worse than my incision the first 2 or 3 days. But it seems strange that yours would start after and still be hurting. Could you have slept wrong?

Hi,
I found that my neck and shoulders were hurting by day four also. I found out why. While I walked around the house holding my pillow across my tummy, I was holding on tight and my arms were tight against my body, my shoulders were up to my ears and I was just this stiff zombie!! My husband had to point this out to me. I was in pain and the clenching was adding to it. Also, because I could not sleep anywhere but on my back, my body never got to roll around at night. No wonder my neck and shoulders hurt! It slowly went away as I relaxed and improved. Let's hope your discomfort will leave soon.
Maralyn

Maralyn does have a point! You are probably doing something different because of your hyst. There are several reasons you could have a "stiff" neck, including sleeping differently due to your surgery, holding the pillow to your tummy, etc. It could be from the positioning during surgery, but as your symptoms did not start until 4 days post-op, I would lean more towards something you are doing now because of surgery. But as someone who has a neck/should injury, if you can not figure out what you are doing that would be hurting yourself the sooner you see your family dr, the better. The longer you wait, the more sore you will be, and the longer it will take to recover--I say this because you have been in pain for 2 weeks already.

The positioning of my head, neck and shoulders did cause me great pain after my lap, hysteroscopy and D-n-C. Because of this, I talked to the surgical nurses for my hyst and they were more careful and I was fine. But you should have noticed the pain much sooner, unless you were totally knocked out on strong meds for 4 days!

If I sleep away from home in a different bed or with a different pillow (I rarely travel without my pillow because of this) I can end up with a very sore neck and shoulder, and they will cause me a migraine. Have you changed pillows and sleeping positions since your surgery?

Depending on the reason for the "crick" in your neck, you may need physical therapy, perscription muscle relaxors, and/or anti-inflammatories and your muscles may have knotted up on you, spasmed, pulled, etc.

Try using heat and light massage to see if you can ease the muscle. I have had a muscle spasm in the back of my head, behind my ear, and it is very painful. Alternating heat and ice may help. I do not like the ice when I have sore muscles, but some people do.

Do not overdose on the OTCs! If you are taking them on a daily basis for this pain and it isn't helping, you do need to consult your "regular" dr and find out what is going on so you can get some relief!

Best wishes! I really do empathize with your pain and know it is very miserable!

Thank you for all these helpful comments, ladies! I had a vaginal so I don't have an abdominal incision to brace a pillow with. And I'm using my same pillow, but I have spent more time propped up in bed while recuperating than I did pre-surgery. Maybe I'm sitting in a bad position without realizing it. I will try to adjust my position and see if that helps. I'll try a warm pak also. Thanks, everyone!

I will tell you, staying propped up on the couch and in bed did a doozy on my neck and shoulder! Without realizing it, your head is leaning forward! That is what I watch for now anytime I am sitting for a lengthy period of time, propped up reading, sitting at the computer, etc.--am I slumping and is my neck actually not straight up and down with my shoulders.

Do call your dr if the adjusting doesn't help. Best wishes! My neck sends you empathy! (I have been on the computer too long so it is complaining!!)

I also had terrible neck pain and tension that OTC meds didn't help. I went to my chiropractor who did ultrasound therapy and adjustments which relieved my pain. My chiropractor aslo does accupuncture which might also help.

I had the exact same problem until my assistant pointed out that my shoulders had become earrings they were so tense. Gone for two massages and man has that helped! There is a change that your neck may have been misaligned during surgery as they usually do put in a breathing tube if you have a general. Hot packs and a good rub will do wonders!