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POST-OPERATIVE
INSTRUCTIONS FOLLOWING
ANTERIOR CERVICAL DISCECTOMY AND FUSION WITH A THREADED
INTERBODY CAGE
You
have just undergone an operative procedure to relieve
the pressure on a compressed or pinched nerve in your
cervical spine. To maintain your normal anatomy, a titanium
cage was placed between the two vertabrae. This will
heal much like a broken bone. The following recommendations
will facilitate the healing process and increase your
comfort in the immediate post-operative period.
- You
must wear your cervical collar as instructed.
-
During the first week following surgery you should
remain mostly at rest. You should stay home from work
and avoid any lifting. For the first six (6) weeks
post-operatively there should be lifting of nothing
over 10 pounds.
-
It is not uncommon to experience some discomfort at
the surgical site as well as around the shoulders
for the first two or three days following surgery.
Therefore, please take whatever medication your doctor
has prescribed for you. Take the pain medication promptly
before the discomfort becomes significant.
-
It is not unusual for you to experience some tingling
or the sensation and/or discomfort in the immediate
post-operative period. If you should develop severe
pain, prolonged tingling of the hands and feet, swelling
at the operative site, fever, or drainage from the
site of the incision, please call us immediately.
-
For the first 3 months following your surgery you
should not take any non-steroid anti-inflammatory
medications such as ibuprofin, Advil, Motrin, Naprosyn,
Aleve, etc. Use of this type of medication will delay
proper bone fusion.
-
If you have questions or concerns at any time, please
do not hesitate to call our office at (919) 731-4048.
Should a question arise after office hours, please
call the switchboard at Wayne Memorial Hospital at
(919) 736-1110 to have Dr. Lacin or Dr. Katz paged.
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