Nobody wants to have spine surgery, but it is sometimes necessary. Naturally, trying alternative remedies and treatments is always the first course of action. If you have experienced neck pain for some time and you have followed the available treatment options but you didn’t experience the results you were hoping for, then you may need to have surgery. Show However, most people who are referred for this surgery have a lot of questions. The most common question asked is “how long does it take to recover from neck surgery?” The reality, unfortunately, is there is no clear-cut or straightforward answer to this question. The neck is very sensitive and highly complex, so neck surgery recovery time will vary depending on your physiology, the kind of surgery that is performed, and more. Of course, you may feel quite concerned about this, but so long as you follow the instructions of your surgeon, you should be able to experience full recovery. Below is some information that is designed to help you understand the procedure, how soon you can expect to recover, and what you can do to make your recovery go by quicker and with fewer complications. When Do You Need Neck Surgery?It is hard to determine whether or not you need neck surgery. This is because it is down to a lot of different factors. For instance, you may find that the discs in your spine are breaking down, causing them to grind together. Perhaps the nerves of your neck are pinched. Those are just some examples of when neck surgery may be required. Most commonly, surgery is recommended when other treatment options have been exhausted and you have:
The appropriate neck surgery recovery tips will vary depending on which condition you have. Different Types of Neck SurgeryDepending on the cause of the neck pain, different surgical procedures are available. In almost all cases, however, the surgery will allow a specialist to get to the root of the pain, identifying the problem, taking that out if appropriate, and replacing it with an implant, device, or other tool to prevent the pain from returning. Typically, you will only have to stay in the hospital for a short period of time after having surgery. However, that does not mean you will have recovered as soon as you return home. Rather, your neck surgery recovery time may be significantly extended and you must make sure that you follow the post-operative instructions that your physician gave you so that your wounds can heal. In most cases, surgery is performed in order to address problems with one or more nerves within the spine. The spinal cord contains many different nerves at each level and they may become irritated or compressed if there is an abnormality within the spine. Usually, this is down to an issue with your discs, which are jelly-like, soft structures within your spine, effectively cushioning the bones that make up the spine. They can be displaced or they can degenerate, which in turn causes irritation and/or compression on the nerve. Alternatively, the foramen can tighten, which can also cause significant pain. The most commonly offered procedures, which all address the aforementioned issues, are:
Benefits of Having Neck SurgeryAs previously stated, nobody wants to have surgery and most people will avoid it as much as possible. However, neck surgery also offers a number of significant benefits that you must be aware of. They include:
Factors That Affect Recovery TimeThere are numerous factors that will affect how long it will take you to recover from neck surgery. How bad your condition is and which type of surgery you have are two of the most important factors that impact recovery time. Other factors include:
How Long Does It Take to Recover from Neck Surgery? 5 Important TipsSurgery is always physically demanding, but perhaps never more so than with neck surgery. This is because it impacts the cervical spine, which is the part of your body that is responsible with facilitating movement and supporting your head. Hence, it is very different from a broken arm, for instance, which only requires a bit of rest and a cast. It is impossible to take all pressure away from your neck after surgery, which is one of the reason why recovery is often somewhat longer than with other types of surgery. Nevertheless, there are some important neck surgery recovery tips that you can implement to help reduce your healing time as much as possible. You do have to be aware of the fact that these tips are provided as a guide only. In addition, they will not make you magically heal. Rather, they are designed to decrease how much time you need. What is even more important is that you follow the guidelines as set out by your surgeon, who will generally create a program specific to your situation. Let’s take a look at the five most important tips.
Surgical AnxietyOne thing that is bad for your recovery is being anxious before and after the procedure. That is because, when you’re anxious, your body is flooded with hormones that impact your immune system and body’s defenses. Hence, while it is normal to experience some anxiety and being nervous, it is important to remain calm as well. Thankfully, there are some good tips to help you manage your anxiety, so that you go into your surgery with a calm mind and body. These include:
Post-Operative CareLast but not least, it is very important that you look after yourself as soon as the surgery is over. If you want to recover as quickly as possible, you also need to be safe and comfortable. It is likely that your physician will have prescribed you some painkillers and you have been given you instructions on how to look after your wound. You will also have been advised on things you absolutely cannot do, such as engaging in strenuous activity. Your surgeon will also have told you how long you will need to stay off work. There are also some other things to expect after your surgery, including:
Furthermore, if you have a fever, notice blood or pus from the wound, have difficulty in breathing or using the bathroom, or feel pain or numbness, you must inform your physician. Listening to your body while following the advice of your surgeon is the most important thing you can do to shorten your recovery time. For more information about neck surgery contact our expert spine surgeon Dr. Sandro Larcocca. |