subject: Defining Cervical Spine Surgery: [print this page] Cervical spine surgery is conducted in order to relieve pain, decrease numbness, tingling or weakness, to restore nerve function or to stop/prevent any abnormal movement in the spine.
About Cervical Spine Surgery:
Cervical spine surgery requires the surgeon to remove a disc or bone. The surgeon fuses the vertebrae together with a bone graft. This procedure can be done in the front of the spine or behind the spine. The graft can be either an autograft or an allograft. With an autograft a bone is taken from the body and with an allograft a bone is used from a bone bank. Metal plates, wires or screws (as well as other instrumentation) are sometimes used in addition to bone. This further stabilizes the spine and ensures surgical success.
There are necessary preparations that should be taken care of prior to cervical spine surgery. Patients should prep their living areas so that they are safe and comfortable when they arrive home from the hospital. The first step is to purchase food. Make sure that everything you need to prepare your meals is ready to hand. Some people even arrange for meal delivery prior to cervical spine surgery through a catering service or a friend willing to help out.
You won't be doing any bending. Put your phone on your nightstand. If you don't have a nightstand place it on a chair next to your bed. You will also need to arrange for someone to help you with the necessary cleaning, shopping and other normal household chores. Make sure that your necessary items are also easily accessible: clothes, shoes, cleaning supplies, bathroom necessities, etc. Check your home for throw rugs. They can easily trip you; either secure them or put them away while you are working on recovery.
The night right before your cervical spine surgery you should not eat or drink anything. In most cases you should not eat or drink anything after midnight. If you have a morning procedure you should not eat anything solid after 9pm. Also remove any and all rings because your fingers may swell.
Recovery from Cervical Spine Surgery:
Cervical spine surgery, like any surgery, requires time after the surgery is complete in order for the body to restore damaged tissues and return to normal function. The recovery process can be slow; the body needs time to heal. This recovery process is necessary and should not be rushed. Patients should closely follow all instructions from their doctor/surgeon post-surgery in order to optimize their recovery.
