Anterior Cervical Surgery - Post-op Instructions

Wound care

• Keep wound dry and uncovered for the first 2 weeks
• Wound is covered with Dermabond glue. This may begin to peel back on it’s own. If so, do not forcefully remove. Allow it to come off on its own
• Ointments or creams are not necessary
• May gently clean when in shower with mild soap, but do not vigorously rub. Keep dry when not in the shower
  

Activity

• If involved in physical therapy, continue regimen as prescribed by physical therapist
• Gentle walking should be done daily. Have someone accompany you for the first few times until you feel comfortable. Avoid straining or bearing down.
• Avoid lifting anything greater than 5 lbs (about a gallon of milk) for the first 2 weeks, and 10lbs for the first 6 weeks. Do not push or pull yourself up with arms. Avoid using head/neck to adjust your head in bed
• neck flexion/extension and side to side rotation should be done several times daily for the first 2 weeks to avoid a frozen neck.
• If you were prescribed a collar, use as directed. You may briefly remove to shower/bathe and eat
• Avoid driving for the first 2 weeks. Afterwards, you are safe to drive when not under the influence of pain medications and can easily turn your head to check your blind spot
• Avoidance of tobacco is essential to promote wound healing and bony fusion

• Take pain medication/muscle relaxers only as directed. You should begin to wean the amount and frequency of pain medications/muscle relaxers you take every couple of days or so
• Be sure to take a gentle over the counter laxative (Colace, etc) while taking pain medication to prevent constipation. Walking will also help with this.
• Take a general multivitamin daily for at least the first month after surgery
• Avoid resuming any blood thinners (Aspirin, Plavix, Coumadin, Eliquis, etc.) until cleared by the office
• For any refill requests, call the office only during regular office hours-  Monday-Friday from 8am-5pm
  

Diet

• Eating and swallowing after anterior neck surgery can be painful and difficult at first. This is normal and a sore throat is expected for the first week or so. It is recommended that you try liquids first (lukewarm soup, broth), then proceed to soft foods (oatmeal, soft cereals, chicken/fish, soft potatoes, etc). When comfortable, then you may proceed to regular foods. Use caution with bread, crunchy foods, and less tender meat such as beef/pork. Avoid overly hot coffee/tea
• If diabetic, continue strict diabetic diet adherence to promote healthy wound healing
• Be sure to eat a diet high in fiber or take a fiber supplement daily for the first month
• Avoid alcohol

• Any drainage from incision or increasing redness.  Fever greater than 101.4
• Increasing neck swelling or trouble breathing
• Increasing arm or leg weakness, or loss of control of bowels or bladder
• Calf tenderness or swelling, chest pain, shortness of breath, burning with urination
• Constipation not alleviated by over the counter laxatives or suppositories/enemas

*Please remember that it may take some time for numbness or pain to improve after spine surgery. Due to the healing process, you may have some pain in the surgical area for weeks after surgery*