My dad, 87, had cervical decompression surgery last November after a fall. Prior to that he had poor balance and was a fall risk, but had enough energy and endurance to walk around the block, etc. Since then, after walking slowly and carefully for less than half a block, he cannot continue. He is very discouraged as no healing seems to be taking place after 9 months. Does anyone have experience with this surgery and how their loved one did afterwards?
You mention the limitations in walking. As cervical is high on the spinal column I am curious what is "limiting" the time for the walks. Is it balance? Is it the breathing or energy, or the care needed in walking? When our confidence is low we often forget even to simply "breath".
I must be honest with you to tell you that as a (now old and long retired) RN I worked orthopedic and I saw many complications after cervical spinal work that I did NOT see with lower spinal surgeries, which were often very successful. However there is usually not an option for cervical work, as any nerve entrapment in upper spine can result in quadriplegic paralysis (below the neck). I have seen complaints of everything from severe limitations to more minimal (a stiffness of neck, limitations in turning neck, inability to do such simple tasks as gardening, minimal lifting and so on). Often working with physical therapists helps and sometimes this is as simple as a "fear" of the area that leads to walking and moving about with stiffness that sort of freezes in the muscles, and causes pain and limitations. But your Dad is seeing them already, with few results. Ask them to write an assessment for you, and then, as RealyReal suggests, follow up with the MD.
I don't know what information the doctor gave your Dad prior to surgery, but they do often warn that while you need to have this surgery to prevent further insult to the area, you may never be "good as new" again, and may live with some limitations. Also speak frankly with the PT people as they are familiar with these surgeries.
Also, dad could have lost his confidence, shown by walking so carefully and slowly, and he needs some OT and PT to help him recover his confidence to walk.
Healing takes so much longer as we age but, 9 months is far, far to long. I would rule out surgical error 1st.
I hope you get to the bottom of this.