What Happens After Anterior Cervical Discectomy with Fusion?
Whether you have cervical disc herniation, disc degeneration due to injury or even arthritis, anterior cervical discectomy with fusion can provide the essential pain relief you need to regain your life. Your doctor will discuss with you the procedure and exactly what happens during the surgery, but the recovery and rehabilitation process can be an individual experience. So what happens after the surgery?
Expectations after Surgery
For several months after the anterior cervical discectomy with fusion, you can expect to wear a neck brace. While the brace will feel restrictive and somewhat cumbersome, it is important to wear it because the bone graft requires time to heal and fuse properly and your neck should be immobile. Of course, in some instances, the surgeon may use special hardware like a metal plate and screws to fasten the neck bones in place so the fusion can heal. In this case, a neck brace may be necessary for a short time instead of months.
Depending on the cervical damage you have, your hospital stay should be a short one – no longer than a day or two. Once anesthesia wears off, you will be encouraged to get out of bed as soon as possible and walk around. You will be monitored when you eat and drink to ensure you have no difficulty swallowing – first with liquids and then a soft, solid diet.
Rehabilitation after Anterior Cervical Discectomy with Fusion
Your doctor will likely prescribe physical therapy for at least a month if not more. You can expect electrical stimulation as well as ice therapy during your sessions and exercises you can accomplish at home. Sometimes, massage and other treatments are also incorporated to alleviate inflammation, muscles spasms and pain.
Once post-operative swelling goes down, active physical therapy treatments are added. Activities such as walking and stationary biking are encouraged to promote good lung and heart operation as well as other exercises to target the upper back and neck area to strengthen and stabilize the muscles. The therapist may also show you some mechanical aspects of movement to avoid injury with everyday tasks and even once you return to work.
A full recovery from anterior cervical discectomy with fusion can take six months to a year. Pain medication will likely be reduced gradually until eventually you can handle aches and pains from the surgery with over the counter pain relievers. This surgery can truly improve your quality of life – as long as you follow your doctor's and therapist's orders.
Expectations after Surgery
For several months after the anterior cervical discectomy with fusion, you can expect to wear a neck brace. While the brace will feel restrictive and somewhat cumbersome, it is important to wear it because the bone graft requires time to heal and fuse properly and your neck should be immobile. Of course, in some instances, the surgeon may use special hardware like a metal plate and screws to fasten the neck bones in place so the fusion can heal. In this case, a neck brace may be necessary for a short time instead of months.
Depending on the cervical damage you have, your hospital stay should be a short one – no longer than a day or two. Once anesthesia wears off, you will be encouraged to get out of bed as soon as possible and walk around. You will be monitored when you eat and drink to ensure you have no difficulty swallowing – first with liquids and then a soft, solid diet.
Rehabilitation after Anterior Cervical Discectomy with Fusion
Your doctor will likely prescribe physical therapy for at least a month if not more. You can expect electrical stimulation as well as ice therapy during your sessions and exercises you can accomplish at home. Sometimes, massage and other treatments are also incorporated to alleviate inflammation, muscles spasms and pain.
Once post-operative swelling goes down, active physical therapy treatments are added. Activities such as walking and stationary biking are encouraged to promote good lung and heart operation as well as other exercises to target the upper back and neck area to strengthen and stabilize the muscles. The therapist may also show you some mechanical aspects of movement to avoid injury with everyday tasks and even once you return to work.
A full recovery from anterior cervical discectomy with fusion can take six months to a year. Pain medication will likely be reduced gradually until eventually you can handle aches and pains from the surgery with over the counter pain relievers. This surgery can truly improve your quality of life – as long as you follow your doctor's and therapist's orders.
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