Though both Cervical Disc Fusion and Cervical Disc Replacement procedures involve surgery, and both procedures can significantly reduce or eliminate back or neck pain, that’s where the similarities end. The process of recovery varies dramatically following the two surgeries.
Cervical Disc Fusion Recovery
A Cervical Disc Fusion fuses two or more of your vertebrae to protect the nerves running through those discs. A combination of bone tissue and medical hardware connect and stabilize the vertebrae.
Recovery from this surgery is gradual.
Following your surgery, you’ll likely stay in the hospital for several days. Physical therapists will help you master ways to sit up in bed, get in and out of bed, dress, and walk safely without bending or twisting. You’ll be asked who’s available to assist once you’re released from the hospital. Someone might visit your home to determine if you can safely recuperate there.
The goal is to create the best possible environment for your vertebrae to fuse, your surgical incision to heal, and your back muscles to maintain their strength.
Most activities—like driving—will be off the table for several weeks…sometimes up to a month. Depending on the type of work you do, you may need to be away from your job for a month or longer.
“You’re looking at about a three-month limitation in activity,” says Axis Spine Clinic’s neurosurgeon, Dr. Berg. Once cleared for resuming activity, it’s a slow return to a normal daily life.
“For the next six weeks, patients are limited to a ten-pound lifting restriction and physical activity is limited to a brisk walk.”
“After that initial six weeks, most patients can lift to 25 pounds. And nearing the three-month mark, patients can gradually ramp their activity back up to what was normal before the surgery.”
Dr. Berg also notes that those who receive a Cervical Disc Fusion must wear a neck brace for about two weeks for each cervical level fused. If one disc was fused to another, that’s two weeks. If two discs were fused to neighboring discs, patients are looking at four weeks of confinement in a neck brace.
The neck brace stays in place 24/7 for the first half of the prescribed time, then it can be removed while patients sleep for the remainder of the time it’s needed.
Some patients find the neck brace a minor inconvenience, but for others, it’s a perpetual nuisance.
“I counted down the days until that thing could come off,” recalls one fusion surgery recipient. “I couldn’t wait until I didn’t have to turn my entire body to see what was happening beside me.”
The good news: Once recovery is complete, patients whose pain is either gone or greatly reduced give an enthusiastic two-thumbs up to this recovery process. The benefit of moving ahead without pain is worth it.
Cervical Disc Replacement Recovery
During a Cervical Disc Replacement, a damaged disc is removed, then replaced with an artificial disc. The replacement disc acts much like the vertebrae it replaced but no longer impinges on your nerves.
Patients who have this surgery face the same restrictions as those who had a Cervical Disc Fusion—but for a much shorter time frame. The ten-pound lifting limit and the physical activity restriction to nothing more than a brisk walk is in place for only about two weeks.
And that troublesome neck brace? It’s not needed at all.
“We’re trying to preserve motion across the spine, so we want patients to move their necks around,” says Dr. Berg.
Because patients don’t have to wear extra devices like neck or back braces, they can return to work and daily activities sooner. No bones need to fuse gradually, so recovery is far faster.
“For patients who qualify as candidates for cervical disc replacements, this is often an excellent surgery,” says Dr. Berg. He recommends it to younger patients who require neck or back surgery.
Your Recovery Isn’t Like Anyone Else’s Recovery
Though there are general guidelines concerning recovery, every patient is unique. The location of your injury, the extent of the damage, your general health, and your willingness to follow recovery protocols—are among many factors that will determine how long you’ll need to recover from your spinal surgery.
Until your neurosurgeon examines you, it’s difficult to know what to expect in recovery and what surgery will best reduce your pain and create a greater quality of life.
So take the next step toward meeting your goals by calling Axis Spine Clinic today. We’ll arrange a consultation with Dr. Berg, who’ll pinpoint the cause of your pain and recommend a treatment plan to lessen it.
Your road to recovery begins with one phone call to (614) 683-5537. Call now and take the next step to regain a life where pain isn’t your constant companion.