Neck Pain - Cervical Spine Fusion - Outpatient
This surgery involves fusing, or joining, two or more of the bones that make up the upper part of the spine (cervical vertebrae).
Cervical spine fusion is surgery to join two or more of the bones that make up the upper part of the spine (cervical vertebrae), found in the back of the neck.
- Fusing or joining vertebrae prevents them from moving and putting pressure on other areas of the neck, such as the nerves that enter and leave the spine.
- Prior to joining the vertebrae, the surgeon usually removes the cushion between the vertebrae being fused (diskectomy).
The vertebrae may be fused using a bone graft or a metal cage filled with bone graft material. The bone graft can come from:- A bone in your body (autograft)
- A bone from someone else's body (allograft)
- A man-made substance
Screws, rods, and plates are also used to keep the bones in place while the bone grafts heal.
Your healthcare provider may recommend a cervical fusion if:
- One or more of the disks in your cervical spine need to be removed (diskectomy)
- You have injured, or fractured, one of the bones in your cervical spine
- Your cervical spine is weak or unstable
- Your cervical vertebrae move and slip over one another (spondylolisthesis)
- You have an abnormal curve in your cervical spine (kyphosis)
Prior to surgery, tell your healthcare provider about any medications you are taking (including over-the-counter medications and supplements). Ask about specific instructions you should follow before surgery. These may include:
- Medications you should not take before the surgery, such as blood thinners or aspirin
- Regular medications you should continue to take on the day of your surgery
- How many hours you should stop eating and drinking before surgery
- How to prepare your home for your return after you are discharged
- Meeting with a physical therapist to learn how to use a back brace and walk with crutches
If you are a smoker, you should quit smoking, as it can interfere with your recovery.
A cervical fusion typically takes several hours. During surgery, you will receive anesthesia to keep you comfortable and pain free.
- General anesthesia is the most common type of anesthesia for a cervical fusion.
- It is where you are put into a deep sleep and are unable to see, hear or feel anything.
You may spend a few days in the hospital after surgery. However, depending on the nature of your specific condition and health, your surgeon may feel that your surgery can be safely done as an outpatient procedure.
- The people caring for you will teach you the right way to move, sit, stand and walk.
- You may have to wear a back brace or cast for a period of time.
- Physical therapy is often recommended for several weeks after back surgery. This is to help increase your strength and mobility.
- You may also need pain medication and help at home while you recover.
- Full recovery can take a long time. It typically involves exercise and physical therapy.
- It may take a few weeks to months before you are back to your normal activity level.
Do not forget to arrange for transportation to and from the facility and help at home.
What should I ask my healthcare provider before having a cervical spine fusion?
- What is my diagnosis and reason for the surgery? Are there any less invasive or extensive treatments or procedures that might work for me? If so, what kind?
- What are the pros and cons of the surgery?
- What kind of sedation will I have? What are the possible side effects?
- How will this surgery affect my daily life?
- What are the possible complications to the surgery?
- What are the chances the surgery will improve my symptoms?
- Do you perform outpatient cervical spine fusions? Is outpatient surgery an option for me?
- What is your experience in doing this type of surgery? What is your complication rate?
- What type of recovery should I expect and how long will it take?
After your surgery, you should know what you had done, what medication was given, and what symptoms you should report to your healthcare provider. You should also understand all home care instructions (including medications and side effects) and follow-up plans. Your surgeon should also let your primary care physician know the details of your surgery and treatment plan.
Source UHC.com
Also known as:
Vertebrae FusionSurgery on NeckPain in NeckNeck SurgeryNeck PainKyphosisJoin VertebraeFusionFuse VertebraeCurvature of SpineCervical Spine FusionCervical Fusion
Cervical spine fusion is surgery to join two or more of the bones that make up the upper part of the spine (cervical vertebrae), found in the back of the neck.
- Fusing or joining vertebrae prevents them from moving and putting pressure on other areas of the neck, such as the nerves that enter and leave the spine.
- Prior to joining the vertebrae, the surgeon usually removes the cushion between the vertebrae being fused (diskectomy).
- A bone in your body (autograft)
- A bone from someone else's body (allograft)
- A man-made substance
Screws, rods, and plates are also used to keep the bones in place while the bone grafts heal.
Your healthcare provider may recommend a cervical fusion if:
- One or more of the disks in your cervical spine need to be removed (diskectomy)
- You have injured, or fractured, one of the bones in your cervical spine
- Your cervical spine is weak or unstable
- Your cervical vertebrae move and slip over one another (spondylolisthesis)
- You have an abnormal curve in your cervical spine (kyphosis)
Prior to surgery, tell your healthcare provider about any medications you are taking (including over-the-counter medications and supplements). Ask about specific instructions you should follow before surgery. These may include:
- Medications you should not take before the surgery, such as blood thinners or aspirin
- Regular medications you should continue to take on the day of your surgery
- How many hours you should stop eating and drinking before surgery
- How to prepare your home for your return after you are discharged
- Meeting with a physical therapist to learn how to use a back brace and walk with crutches
If you are a smoker, you should quit smoking, as it can interfere with your recovery.
A cervical fusion typically takes several hours. During surgery, you will receive anesthesia to keep you comfortable and pain free.
- General anesthesia is the most common type of anesthesia for a cervical fusion.
- It is where you are put into a deep sleep and are unable to see, hear or feel anything.
You may spend a few days in the hospital after surgery. However, depending on the nature of your specific condition and health, your surgeon may feel that your surgery can be safely done as an outpatient procedure.
- The people caring for you will teach you the right way to move, sit, stand and walk.
- You may have to wear a back brace or cast for a period of time.
- Physical therapy is often recommended for several weeks after back surgery. This is to help increase your strength and mobility.
- You may also need pain medication and help at home while you recover.
- Full recovery can take a long time. It typically involves exercise and physical therapy.
- It may take a few weeks to months before you are back to your normal activity level.
Do not forget to arrange for transportation to and from the facility and help at home.
What should I ask my healthcare provider before having a cervical spine fusion?
- What is my diagnosis and reason for the surgery? Are there any less invasive or extensive treatments or procedures that might work for me? If so, what kind?
- What are the pros and cons of the surgery?
- What kind of sedation will I have? What are the possible side effects?
- How will this surgery affect my daily life?
- What are the possible complications to the surgery?
- What are the chances the surgery will improve my symptoms?
- Do you perform outpatient cervical spine fusions? Is outpatient surgery an option for me?
- What is your experience in doing this type of surgery? What is your complication rate?
- What type of recovery should I expect and how long will it take?
After your surgery, you should know what you had done, what medication was given, and what symptoms you should report to your healthcare provider. You should also understand all home care instructions (including medications and side effects) and follow-up plans. Your surgeon should also let your primary care physician know the details of your surgery and treatment plan.
Source UHC.com
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