Cervical Disc Replacement Post-Operation Instructions
What is Cervical Disc Replacement?
A cervical disc replacement is a great alternative to a fusion in many patients. Single or multilevel disc replacements can be performed at one time, depending on the patient’s needs. While the approach to reach the cervical spine can vary, Dr. Hanson places a horizontal skin incision about 1.5 inches long, just to the left side of your windpipe (trachea) on the front of your neck. The incision is usually placed within a natural skin crease. Then, gentle dissection is used around the structures in the neck to reach the spine, working carefully around the trachea, esophagus, muscles, blood vessels, and nerves. Once the spine is reached, retractors are used to gently keep the skin and other structures out of the way. The disc material is removed from the disc space and a new artificial disc replacement is placed. This artificial disc is designed to provide a normal range of motion of the neck. The retractors are removed, and the wound is closed with stitches underneath the skin. Skin tapes are applied on top of the incision and a gauze dressing is applied to the front of your neck.
What’s Normal After Surgery?🆗
- Neck Pain or Headache: Achiness or neck pain is very common after neck surgery. However, if your neck pain is severe and not well-managed with acetaminophen and prescription pain medication, please call the office. Many times, neck pain can also cause headaches, so after neck surgery, headaches are relatively common.
- Arm or Shoulder Pain, Numbness, or Tingling: Many patients experience arm or shoulder pain, numbness, or tingling prior to a total disc replacement in the neck. It is common for these symptoms to temporarily worsen following surgery. Many times, this is because of postoperative inflammation, swelling, or remnants of nerve irritation from prior to surgery. Please let us know if these symptoms gradually worsen or are not improving after a few days.
- Sore Throat, Hoarse Voice, or Difficulty Swallowing: The tube to help you breathe during the surgery can cause a scratchy or sore throat or difficulty swallowing for a few days.
What’s Not Normal After Surgery?🚫
- Sudden onset severe headache.
- New onset bowel or bladder dysfunction.
- Difficulty breathing, chest pain, or inability to swallow.
- Unilateral extremity swelling, warmth, and/or redness.
- Fever/chills, purulent incisional drainage, and/or expanding redness around the incision(s).
**If you have any of the above, call the office & consult with the emergency department immediately.
Cervical Disc Replacement Appointments
Follow-up after surgery begins 1-2 days after surgery when you receive a phone call or text message from Dr. Hanson checking in on how you are doing. Approximately 7 days later our office staff will contact you to check on how you are doing and follow up with answers to any of your questions.
You will meet with Dr. Hanson approximately 2 weeks after surgery. This will be done via telehealth or in the office. This information is listed on your original surgery confirmation letter given to you by the office staff.
Once the steri-strips have fallen off of the surgical site, please send a picture of your incision to 612-670-4971 via text or you may email it to [email protected]. You will have post-operative X-rays 4-6 weeks after surgery. The results will be sent to Dr. Hanson and the office staff will call you with the results. Our office staff will also help arrange obtaining the X-rays when that time comes.
Typically, returning to the clinic for routine follow-up in the first 3-4 months is usually not necessary because of the other follow-up you will receive after surgery. If you have any concerns or do need to come to the clinic, contact the office and we will be able to help you.
Cervical Disc Replacement Restrictions
After surgery, limit lifting, pushing, and pulling to 10-20 pounds as tolerated for the first 2 weeks. Passive motion of the neck is okay but, avoid cracking your neck or using your hands to stretch your neck for 6-8 weeks. After two weeks, your provider will work with you to gradually increase your lifting back to normal.
🖨️Save these instructions after your surgery and print them for easy reference.
Cervical Disc Replacement Frequently Asked Questions
When Can I Go Back to Work?
We will reassess if you can go back to work 1-2 weeks after surgery. If your job requires heavy lifting or requires you to be full duty prior to going back to work, we will modify your restrictions accordingly.
Can I Take Narcotic Pain Medication Prior to Surgery?
You can take pain medication prior to surgery, but please use it with caution. The dose and quantity you require prior to surgery can affect your recovery period after surgery. Patients who require high amounts of narcotic pain medication prior to surgery, have a more difficult time managing their postoperative pain. Preoperative narcotic pain medication will generally not be given prior to surgery. Please consult with your primary care provider if you think you require narcotic pain medication to manage your pain prior to surgery.
What Postoperative Medications are Prescribed?
Three prescription medications will be provided to you after your surgery. These include a steroid dose pack, pain medication, and a 2-day course of antibiotics. The specific medication itself is patient-specific and will be determined by Dr. Hanson at the time of surgery.
What if I need Medication Refills?
For medication refills, please call the office at 612-670-4971. Kindly allow 72 hours for us to refill the requested
prescription. If you require longer management of your pain, we will help find the right solution.
How Long Should the Skin Tapes be Left on (Incision Care)?
You can remove the gauze dressing on your neck the day after surgery. The skin tapes underneath the dressing should be left on for 5-10 days or until they fall off. The stitches are underneath the skin and will dissolve, but sometimes the knot on one end of the incision may pop out. Do not cut it off, call us at the office and we will guide you on what to do.
What are Common Signs of Infection?
Monitor your incisions daily to ensure they are healing properly. Common signs of infection include fever and/or chills, purulent discharge from the incision, warmth on or near the incision, expanding redness coming from the incision site, and incisional pain. Although these signs of rare, please contact the office if you experience any of these signs.
When Can I Bathe?
You can shower the day after surgery. But avoid scrubbing or soaking the incision, this includes hot tubs and swimming.
Should I Wear a Brace?
In most cases, wearing a brace after surgery is not necessary.
Should I Use Ice or Heat?
Ice is the best option after surgery. Use an ice pack for 20 minutes, then remove for 20 minutes & repeat. Do not put the ice pack on bare skin – it can cause frostbite! Heat can worsen inflammation and swelling after surgery.
Will I Need Physical or Chiropractic Therapy?
Most patients do well on their own and are able to get back to their normal activities without therapy. Some patients may require physical therapy to aid in regaining their strength. Those who have heavy lifting requirements at work/home may need their exercises adjusted to help them return to an active life.
When Can I Drive?
You should not drive after taking prescription pain medication.
What Factors Delay the Healing Process?
Smoking, tobacco use, diabetes, poor general health, advanced age, and/or obesity can increase your risk of delayed healing. Although some of these risks are unavoidable, quitting smoking or stopping tobacco use and keeping your diabetes under control can help to reduce your risk of delayed healing.