Cervical Fusion

Please follow these guidelines after your surgery:

• You may be required to wear a cervical collar. Specific instructions will be provided by your surgeon.

• You may experience a sore throat and difficulty swallowing for one to two weeks after surgery. Eat soft foods, take small bites, and eat slowly. You may wish to crush or cut large pills, but check with your pharmacist before you do this as it may change the medication’s effectiveness. If you note an increase in swallowing difficulty or problems with breathing, please call our office.

• Increase your activity progressively, as tolerated.

• You may walk or sit, as tolerated. If you walk outside, walk on smooth, even surfaces and wear good walking shoes.

• Try not to lift more than 7 to 10 pounds, or the weight of a gallon of milk. AVOID REACHING OVER YOUR HEAD, twisting, bending, or back and forth motion of your neck.

• No driving until you are cleared by your doctor. You need to be able to turn your head fully and use your arms freely to be safe behind the wheel!

• At your visit with the nurse, you will be given an appointment for x-rays and a doctor’s visit in two to three weeks.

- Typically, x-ray films will be ordered prior to discharge from the hospital, 3 to 4 weeks post-operatively, and again at 10 to 12 weeks following surgery. After these x-rays, please call the office if you do not receive your results within one week.

Please note that persistence of your pre-operative symptoms should improve in time. It may also mean you should limit your activities. If your symptoms do not improve with rest or pain medication, please call our office at (207) 885-0011.