Ali explains. For example, a patient may need surgery if he or she has suffered from a trauma that has led to spinal instability. Spinal fusion surgery may also be performed for a variety of medical conditions or back deformities.
Ali sometimes sees spondylolisthesis—a problem in which one vertebra bone slips onto another, causing pain. During the procedure, the surgeon connects two or more vertebrae. This prevents motion in that area and can reduce pain from conditions like arthritis. The goal is to fuse the vertebrae together to prevent abnormal motion of the spine.
With any spinal fusion surgery, the goal of surgery is to create bone across two segments of vertebrae. Small pieces of bone are usually placed in the space between the vertebrae that are going to be fused. This allows for bone production so the vertebrae can heal and become a single solid segment of bone.
The vertebrae need to be held together, usually using plates, screws and rods to keep that segment of the spine immobile. Often times, spinal fusion surgery is performed following other spinal surgeries that address different spinal problems:.
Better health. Usually, neck pain is a symptom of an underlying condition that must be addressed. By having surgery, this issue is addressed, thereby stopping it from getting worse. Factors That Affect Recovery Time There are numerous factors that will affect how long it will take you to recover from neck surgery.
Other factors include: Your age. If you are still quite young, then you are likely to recovery more quickly than if you are older. Younger people usually beat the milestones of the average patient. On the other hand, it is quite rare for younger people to require neck surgery. Your overall health. If you have any other pre-existing condition or live an unhealthy lifestyle, it is more likely that your recovery time will take longer.
The healthier you are at the start of the procedure, the shorter your recovery time will be. Things such as smoking, being overweight, drinking to excess, and having chronic illnesses all impact negatively on how long it will take your wounds to heal. Your lifestyle. Those who lead an active lifestyle and engage in regular healthy physical activity tend to recover quickly. Those who have very demanding, physical jobs, however, tend to recover much more slowly.
If you are highly active, it will usually take you longer to get back to that level of activity as well. You must protect the site of the surgery and your spine from undue pressure and that is done by resting.
You have to take the time to rest and recuperate because your surgery may actually fail if you overexert yourself. You should not push yourself and when you do return to your physical activities, it should be because your surgeon has given the go signal. Physical therapy. You are likely to have been referred to this therapy after your surgery. If you want to recover fast from your surgery, you need to work at that and that means committing to the program and taking part in your sessions, as well as doing your homework.
This will have a huge impact on your overall recovery time. Hydration and diet. You must make sure that your blood is properly oxygenated and full of essential vitamins and minerals. This will enable your blood to move freely and to deliver vital nutrients to the surgical site, helping it to heal.
Instead, munch on veggies and fruits and always have water by your side. This will ensure you stay fully hydrated all day long, fighting inflammation and encouraging your body to recover. A clean surgical site. This can be a little bit difficult if you had a posterior surgery, but if it was anterior, you should be able to keep your site clean with ease. Your doctor should have given you tips and guidelines on how to look after the site and you must follow those to the letter.
While we previously mentioned that you have to take it easy and that is correct, it is also important that you engage in exercises that are actually good for your neck. Light exercise, such as a leisurely stroll around the neighborhood, will help you to recover much more quickly. Surgical Anxiety One thing that is bad for your recovery is being anxious before and after the procedure. These include: Understanding what is making you feel anxious and looking into that more specifically.
Properly planning for your procedure. Educating yourself on what to expect. Speaking with your surgical team and support network about your anxieties.
Post-Operative Care Last but not least, it is very important that you look after yourself as soon as the surgery is over.
There are also some other things to expect after your surgery, including: Limitations to certain physical activities. Bending over to pick something up or lifting in excess of 8 lbs is generally not allowed.
Hence, make sure you have a support network to give you help around the house while you recover. The fact that driving is not allowed for at least two weeks, to protect both you and other road users.
The fact that showering should be limited as you do not want any foreign bodies to get into the wound and cause infections. You must give the sutures the time they need to close the wound itself. Again, your physician should have informed you about that. Recent Articles.
When the diagnosis is scoliosis: Know your options for optimal quality of life April 21, From surviving to thriving: Pandemic wisdom must chart our course February 23, Get Relief Today. Do you have a neck, back, or spine problem? Would you like our staff to contact you to schedule an appointment? Full Name. Your Message. By the time symptoms progress to this level, you may have already suffered permanent nerve damage. The earlier you seek a diagnosis, the more treatment options you have.
The sooner you receive treatment, the better your outcomes. Leslie suffers from chronic neck and shoulder pain. After learning her pain was coming from…. Reuters Health - Spine surgeons are noticing an increase in patients with neck and upper…. Search for: Search Button. Toggle navigation. Home About Meet Dr. You are here » Home » Articles » Three signs that you may Three signs that you may need back or neck surgery. Numbness in your arms or legs, or your hands or feet.
Tingling, in the same locations as the numbness. Weakness in your arms or legs. Related Posts.
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