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Anterior Cervical Fusion Discharge Instructions


About this topic


An anterior cervical fusion is a surgery to join two or more bones in the neck together so there is no movement between them. Anterior means that your doctor will do the surgery by making a cut in the front of your neck. The goals of the surgery are: ‚  
  • To line up the spinal bones in the right place
  • Keep the space open where the nerves leave the spine
  • Prevent motion at the damaged joint

After surgery, you may have less pain or other signs. You may be able to move more easily too. ‚  


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What care is needed at home?


  • Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
  • Talk to your doctor about how to care for your cut site. Ask your doctor about:
    • When you should change your bandages
    • When you may take a bath or shower
    • If you need to be careful with lifting things over 10 pounds
    • When you may go back to your normal activities like work, driving, or sex
  • Be sure to wash your hands before touching your wound or dressing.
  • Wear your brace as instructed to by your doctor. If you are allowed to remove it for showering, avoid any twisting or sudden neck movements.
  • Eat softer foods if you are having trouble swallowing. It is common to have difficulty swallowing for up to 10 days after the surgery.
  • Keep your legs moving in bed. This will help to prevent blood clots.
  • Your doctor or therapist will teach you the proper way of moving to protect the spine.
  • Ask your doctor when it is okay to begin taking drugs such as aspirin, Coumadin, and Plavix again.

What follow-up care is needed?


  • Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
  • If you have stitches or staples, you will need to have them taken out. Your doctor will often want to do this in 1 to 2 weeks.
  • You also may need to have more x-rays.
  • Your doctor may send you to physical therapy.

What drugs may be needed?


The doctor may order drugs to: ‚  
  • Help with pain
  • Prevent infection
  • Prevent blood clots
  • Help with other problems you may have like trouble sleeping or hard stools

Will physical activity be limited?


  • You may have to limit your activity. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you.
  • You may need to wear the brace to keep your neck from moving until your doctor tells you to stop.

What changes to diet are needed?


If you are having problems swallowing, you may need to eat soft foods. ‚  

What problems could happen?


  • Pain
  • Bleeding
  • Infection
  • Incomplete fusion of the bones
  • Nerve or spinal cord damage
  • Damage to the sac covering the nerves (dural tear)
  • Problems with bowel or bladder function
  • Neck stiffness
  • Surgery does not help with pain and other problems

When do I need to call the doctor?


  • Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, pain with passing urine or not able to pass urine.
  • Signs of wound infection. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the cut site; cut site opens up.
  • Very bad pain
  • Weakness or numbness
  • Problem with walking, standing, or moving
  • Problem passing urine or loss of bowel or bladder control
  • Unable to swallow or eat
  • You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse

Teach Back: Helping You Understand


The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚  
  • I can tell you about my procedure.
  • I can tell you how to care for my cut site.
  • I can tell you what I will do if I have a fever or swelling, redness, or drainage from my wound.
  • I can tell you what I will do if I have problems walking, standing, or moving, or problems with my bowels or bladder.

Where can I learn more?


American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons ‚  
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00540 ‚  

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer


This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚  

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