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Anyone who has had Cervical spinal compression surgery

Spine Health | Last Active: 6 days ago | Replies (58)
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@msmith49

Thank you for helping with your positive replies. It really does help me feel better with this whole process. I want to know everything I need to have at home after the procedure. What I need to prepare for so I have everything ready when I am discharged. When I had the first knee replacement I wasn't prepared for how it was going to be and what I needed to have at home afterwards. At least with the second one I knew what to expect and what I needed to have ready and what supplies I needed. I think that is what I worry about as I am one who likes to know what I need to do before the surgery and how long I will be stuck at home. I go to the pool 5 days a week and walk in the pool and I want to know if I will be able to go back and do that before the 6 weeks are up. I want to know how long before I can get out and do anything at all. I may have repeated myself in this reply and I apologize if I have. My mind just keeps going back to the same questions over and over and I may have asked the same question with different wording. Thank you again your replies and positives have really helped me.

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Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | Aug 3 4:45pm

@msmith49 You're going to need to give up the pool and soaking in any tub or hot tub for awhile. It takes about 6 weeks for the surgical incision to heal, and soaking that would just open up the incision that is trying to heal, and you may have dissolving sutures. It also risks an infection of the surgical site and you don't want that! Your surgeon will need to clear you for the pool when you are healed enough.

This won't be like knee replacement. You'll be able to walk and that is good for you as long as you have your balance. You won't be allowed to bend your neck, so imagine you are like Humpty Dumpty walking around. It might be challenging to tie your shoes when you can't look at your feet, and you'll need to not move your neck when you shower and wash your hair. Have all your home chores and laundry done ahead of time, and placed where you can get to it in easy reach. I had t- shirts and pants folded in bins next to my bed so I did not have to bend over to open drawers or look up at shelves in the closet. Try walking around your house and see how it is when you can't move your neck. I had athletic shoes with elastic shoe laces in them so I could just slip them on. You'll be restricted in how much weight you can lift which usually starts at 5 or 10 pounds, and you probably will not be allowed to drive for a period of time particularly if you need a neck brace. Many surgeons give those out, but some do not depending on what hardware them may use in surgery. You'll also need to figure out how to fix meals for yourself. Hopefully, you'll have some help with that, but it will be difficult to reach up into high cabinets because you can't bend your neck.

What other suggestions or ideas do you have for how to navigate after surgery?

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