Recovery time for cervical surgery?

[Katie]

I've been so busy fighting to get my surgery, I've almost totally ignored what happens afterwards

I expect to either have two ADRs or a hybrid at C4/5 & 5/6. I won't find out exactly which course the doctor will be taking until I see him in three weeks. Dr. Bitan's plan was the hybrid, but he was also limited by the regulations on doing multi-levels in the US, I believe. Personally I don't really want a fusion that might cause adjacent disc deterioration, but I wasn't about to question Dr. B's knowledge!

Fusion takes a lot longer to recover from, I know, but can anyone chime in on exact recovery details of either surgery? I'll leave the lumbar questions alone for now, as there may be a few weeks between the cervical and lumbar surgeries.

How long before I can comfortably travel with a fusion vs the ADR? How long will I need a neck brace, if at all? It will drive me crazy to wait three weeks to have these questions answered by the doctor himself

[Dave]

Katie,

I had two levels done last year, Prodisc C, at C5-6 and C6-7. I was in the hospital for 3 days, in a hard collar for two weeks and a soft collar for 1 week. I was allowed to drive after the two weeks and allowed to return to work after three weeks. I have read that some doctors do not use collars at all, so I think that is a surgeons decision.

My brother-in-law had a 1 level fusion 4 months ago and was in a hard collar for six weeks. No driving, riding or working. I'm not sure this is normal, but for the surgeon he had it was.

It really all depends on their way of doing things. Hope this helps.

[Katie]

It does Dave,

Wow, what a difference!. Can you tell me about the collars....how often can you take them off? How darn uncomfortable are they, and how soon I should go out and get an air-conditioner ?? August and a padded collar here, with 90% humidity and 90 F?

Yes, it will be worth it..... No I'm not complaining...just covering all bases!

[Dave]

Katie,

The "Hard" collar I wore was the Miami J style. Here is a link http://www.supports4u.com/miamij/miamij.htm

My doctor also gave me two extra sets of foam inserts which I could change out whenever I wanted. It was actually quite comfortable...considering. I had my surgury done in June, which is quite warm and humid around here, so the extra pads came in handy after I did my daily walks (sweaty and all).

I was allowed to take it off for a few minutes a day for the first week, for shaving and such, but otherwise it was on. During the second week I could take it off as long as I was awake and sitting.

I actually forund the soft collar more cumbersome and hot than the hard collar, so I really never wore the soft very much. Personal preference I guess.

As for the air conditioner, heck yes girl. That should be a priority otherwise you are going to be miserable.

[Katie]

Thanks, that helps a lot. So how long before I can shower, etc?

The collar actually does look comfy! How is it to sleep in?

After three summers here, and hoping that this heat and humidity was an anomaly, I've faced reality and am researching air conditioners

PS Love that avatar with the lighthouse...it is a lighthouse, right? I do miss the ocean...............

[KBear]

Katie- I'm not sure on cervical; but agree with Dave, that the collar/braces are a dr's personal preference. My surgeon, did not usually like to use the braces; but I insisted on having one (as it felt like my guts were falling out without one). They gave me a soft one that I used for a couple of weeks, before buying a harder, better one (it was more like what you would use for heavy lifting and better support.) I would suggest trying them and buying one you like before surgery (of course something you can return, so if you do like the one they give you, you can just take it back); that way you aren't stuck with a brace you hate.

Also, with fusion, I think it is very normal to need a brace for 6+weeks. We ran into an old friend of my hubbys a few weeks ago, at my daughters school. He was using a cane and was wearing a lumbar brace. Myself, on the other hand, was wearing 4 inch heels, no brace and no cane. We asked him what had happened and it turns out, he had a fusion. Hubby told him that I had just had ADR mid-March and asked him when he had fusion (we were thinking maybe 4 weeks ago max). Turns out, he had his fusion in mid-Feb. So, he was a month ahead of me in recovery and looked like I did in my 2nd and 3rd weeks of recovery. I could not believe the difference. Afterwards, I asked my hubby if he could now understand why I was so insistent on ADR and fought for it. He completely agreed that I did what was best for my body.

Now, to say all that, I don't think a hybrid is the end of the world and may be best for your body. I have read alot where when people have many levels of ADR get too much movement and have problems. So if this new dr and Dr. B agree that a hybrid is best for you, then I would trust that and go for it.

Good Luck and good for you for fighting!

[Dave]

Katie,

I slept in it without to much difficulty. I found that for the first week I was unable to lay down flat so I slept in the recliner with pillows under my arms. Not the best, but I did sleep.

I was able to shower after 2 weeks, but having cervical ADR, I could still take a bath, which is a good thing in the summer.

That is our lighthouse in Grand Haven where the Grand River flows into Lake Michigan. We live 1/2 mile from the beach, so we go there quite a bit in the summer.

Keep the questions coming. Hopefully I can lend a small amount of advice to help you through you journey.

[Fuzzy]

I had hybrid lumbar fusion ADR (in germany). Dr. told me not to worry about the fusion and follow the same regiment an ADR patient would have followed. I wore brace as needed for 2 weeks and was free to move after 6 weeks. I was moving actively for 4 hours a day at 2 weeks and at 4 weeks I traveled arround the world with a back pack. I did have many pains etc of cause but after 4 weeks one could see the bone fusion growth on the xray. I am pretty sure that the fusion recovery time depends on the kind of fusion as my anterior cage fusion I was told its screwed together and not to worry.

Cervical surgery is known to have a shorter recovery time as one does not have to deal with all the abdominal healing issues.