Cervical Discectomy

I AM INTERESTED IN POST-OP CARE OF AN ANTERIOR CERVICAL DISCECTOMY W/ TITANIUM IMPLANTS. ANYONE TAKEN CARE OF THIS CONDITION, OR HAD THIS PROCEDURE DONE. THANK YOU

[rmprn]

I have taken care of them post-op in the ICU, they usually spend the first night there for airway protection. Most go home the next day. What questions did you have?

[NURSEKECK]

I AM WONDERING IF ANYONE HAS EXPERIENCE W/ TITANIUM DISC IMPLANTS? POST OP PAIN MANAGEMENT, USE OF COLLAR, TIME OFF FROM WORK, WHEN ALLOWED TO DRIVE. (PLEASE PARDON MY ALL CAPS, I'M THE PATIENT, AS WELL AS AN RN

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

My younger sister had this in March. She stayed approximately 16 hours in the hospital. She wore the soft collar for a month all the time and another month when riding in a car. She was allowed to drive at the end of 6 weeks. She missed 6 weeks of work. The amazing thing is she said she had very little pain. She did have muscle spasms, and felt "shock-like" sensations for quite a while. Her incision is in a fold of her neck and hardly visible.

http://www.spine-health.com/topics/conserv/cervhern/chd4.html

[NURSEKECK]

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR REPLY! IT IS NICE TO KNOW THAT THERE IS SOME HOE...AND STILL SOME KIND PEOPLE IN THIS WORLD, LIKE YOU

[Vailgang]

I have worked in neurosurgery for almost three year. I work in the office and see cervical diskectomy patients all the time. One thing that is important is how many levels are you going to have done? If you have a three level fusion it can leave you unable to work. Most of our patients are in the hospital over night. They wear a soft collar for two weeks and then we have them wean off of it. Also we start physical therapy at three weeks, only heat, massage and modalities. It seems to help reduce pain sooner. If you have any questions let me know. I do this ALL the time.

[NURSEKECK]

WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND FOR EXERCISES? YOGA, PT, OR OTHER? THANK YOU. THIS IS FOR Vailgang

[Jill - Pa]

Nursekeck,

I had a posterior discectomy a year ago in April. I herniated two discs after a cough (yes, a cough...not even a violent one either). My right hand was numb, and I had severe, shooting-type, neck pain. I was only comfortable with my left arm raised directly above my head. I went to a chiropractor first, steriods didn't help at all, had an MRI, and was immediately referred to a neurosurgeon. Neurosurgeon said there was significant pressure being placed on nerves and surgery needed to be done ASAP.

Surgery was done as an outpatient. I woke up in the recovery room pain free. I didn't need a collar and opted to do the physical therapy on my own. I did the recommened neck exercises daily and walked, progressive distances, twice daily. I was off work for eight weeks. I took darvocet for the first week and Vioxx for the next year. I needed the Vioxx for left shoulder discomfort that MD says is from "muscle retraction" during surgery. He said the shoulder discomfort would last for about a year and that was almost exactly how long it bothered me. I take an occasional Vioxx (maybe two a month) and ibuprofen maybe once weekly. I didn't feel comfortable doing things like weight lifting and running for about a year and a half.

Bottom line: lift patients properly. MD says that discs were probably bulged pretty badly from lifting patients improperly and the cough just caused the herniation. Prior to surgery, I viewed the "body mechanics" techniques as something that I didn't need to do ("I'm young and in shape"). The experience was a real eye opener for me.

Let me know if you need to know anything else. You can email off board at [email protected]

Jill

[Vailgang]

Nurse Keck

I am sorry it has taken me so long to respond, how are you doing? When did you have your surgery? We start physical therapy 3 weeks post operatively. I think that it helps tremendously with the pain and muscle spasms and tightness. It should only include heat, massage and stretching and some strengthening exercises. A good medication for muscle spasms is Zanaflex 2 or 4 mg at night. Keep me posted on how you are doing and if you have any more questions.

Jill

[kcrnsue]

I had an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion of c-5 and c-6 three years ago. I did not have to wear a colar or have physical therapy. The surgery alone took care of my problems. I was only in the hospital overnight. Good Luck!