Cervical Fusion - Post-Op Instructions

1. You will go home with a cervical collar on that should be worn for at least 4 weeks after your surgery. This may be removed only to wash your neck in the shower, and to apply ice packs as instructed, it should be worn at all other times. Do not bend or rotate your head or neck when the collar is off. 

2. Ice 2 to 3 times a day for 20 minutes. Place a barrier between the ice and the skin. 

3. You may shower when you get home if you have a waterproof dressing.

4. You may remove your dressing 72 hours after surgery-no other dressing is needed.

5. You may line the cervical collar with cotton and power for comfort. 

6. You have sutures that will dissolve under the skin. 

7. You may eat as tolerated. 

8. To avoid constipation, you may take stool softeners as directed when you get home, increase your water intake, and eat fiber rich foods. 

9. Do not sleep on your stomach. Always place a pillow under your head.

10. You may ride in a car home and to your follow up appointment, but you should NOT ride or drive other than this. You may ride in a car as you desire after 4-6 weeks post operation, you must ask your physician for permission to drive. You should not drive if still on opiates. 

11. Do not submerge in water for 4 weeks. This includes bathtubs, pools, hot tubs, oceans and lakes. 

12. At your follow up appointment in 4 weeks, your activity will be increased, and a work release will be planned. Usually, you can return to work in 4-8 weeks after surgery.

13. Call the office to make a follow up appointment for 4 weeks after you are discharged home.

14. If you have a bone growth stimulator you should wear it four hours a day. 

15. Contact the office for any post operative worsening neck swelling or difficulties swallowing, extremity pain that has worsened, weakness or numbness. 

16. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our office (502) 909-0772.

Common Symptoms after Surgery 

1. DIFFICULTY SWALLOWING/VOICE HOARSENESS: Following your cervical fusion it is common to experience some difficulty with swallowing and having a hoarse voice. It is recommended to help alleviate these symptoms by eating ice chips and applying ice packs to the neck. You may need to eat soft foods for the first few weeks following surgery. Depending on your specific surgery you may be prescribed an oral steroid to also help alleviate these symptoms. If you develop difficulty breathing, you should contact your physician immediately. 

2. NECK/SHOULDER PAIN: It is common to experience neck and shoulder pain following surgery. You may feel soreness both in the front and back of neck and in the shoulder blades. Please ice as needed and utilize medications if prescribed. We will discuss your pain at your one month post operative visit. If this pain persists, we may then recommend physical therapy.

3. ARM PAIN/NUMBNESS/TINGLING: It can take time for your nerves to heal following surgery. As you heal, you may notice new sensations down your arms. These sensations can range from pain and burning, to numbness and tingling. At times, these can be a similar feeling to what you felt prior to the surgery, or they can be in the opposite arm. If you experience new weaknesses or have any questions or concerns, please contact our office.