Hospital Recovery

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It is normal to have pain after the operation, especially in the incision area. This does not mean that the procedure was unsuccessful or that your recovery will be slow. Pain in the neck or arms is also not unusual, caused by inflammation of the previously compressed nerve. It will slowly lessen as the nerve heals. Medication will be given to control pain. Moist heat and frequent repositioning may also help.

Numbness

Numbness or tingling sensations are often the last symptoms to leave. Numbness which lingers in parts of the arm or fingers usually is no cause for worry and should gradually go away.

Physical Activity

You may move about in bed and rest in any comfortable position when you have recovered from anesthesia. Walking may begin within several hours. The easiest way for you to get out of bed is to raise the head of the bed as far as it will go, and then swing your legs to the floor. Avoid pulling up from a flat position. The doctor may order a cervical collar to be worn whenever you are up and about. Your nurse will explain its proper use and help with any activity. Gradually increase the amount of walking you do each day. Since it may at first be painful, try making short trips. Begin with a trip to the bathroom, then to the door, and later out into the corridor. Sitting and standing also require a gradual pace. If discomfort occurs, change positions frequently.

Hygiene

Usually you may take a shower the day after surgery. This will make you feel better and should be done with the dressing left in place to protect the incision. Your nurse will change the dressing afterwards.

Nutrition

Intravenous (I.V.) fluids will be ordered during the early recovery period and continued until you can tolerate regular liquids without nausea or vomiting. Your diet will then be adjusted back to normal as your appetite returns. Constipation will be treated with laxatives and a diet of whole grain cereals, fruits, and fruit juices.

Emotional Changes

It is normal to feel discouraged and tired for several days after surgery. These feelings may be your body's natural reaction to the cutback of extra hormones it put out to handle the stress of surgery. Although emotional let-down is not uncommon, it must not be allowed to get in the way of the positive attitude essential to your recovery and return to normal activity.

Discharge from the Hospital

The hospital stay for anterior cervical fusion patients usually lasts 1 or 2 days. This will be determined by your progress and by the amount of comfort and help available to you at home.