Anyone who has had Cervical spinal compression surgery

Thank you for taking the time to reply. That is great that yours worked for you and you haven't had any problems since then. I appreciate you sharing your experience. Thank you again,

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.

@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?

Thank you for answering those questions. It does help knowing what to expect. I'm very fortunate to have my aunt that lives with me. She helped me through both of my knee replacements. I wouldn't have been able to get through it all without her. It does help knowing she is here and I can depend on her. I tried to have everything done before each of my surgeries so when I came home all she had to help with was me. I understand about the pool. I hate not being able to go but I understand. I always just walk in waist high water so I will make sure I am cleared to do that by the doctor first like you said. I'm trying to think if I have any other questions but I can't think of any right now off the top of my head. Is it ok if I write to you again if I think of something? Thank you again for explaining things for me it has helped more than you will ever know.❤

@msmith49 Thank you. If you have more questions, just jump right back in this discussion. If you want to make sure I get a notification, so I'll see your post, type my name using the "@" symbol first (with no spaces) like I did for you in this post.

I'm glad you have your aunt to help. What a blessing! I'm sure she'll be able to figure out how to solve anything that comes up later. Healing from surgery is hard work for your body, and you'll just want to sleep. You don't have to do everything. Give yourself time to heal. You'll need a lot of rest, and you can let your aunt run the show for a while. It's wonderful that you have support from your family.

I had anterior cervical discectomy & fusion (ACDF) on June 28th with C-3 through 7. I am doing great. Simply follow the directions of your surgeon & move your body (walking) as much as you can. My surgeon only had me wear a neck brace when my neck was tired, but every surgeon is different.

Best of everything for you.

@coachdavid - So glad your recovery is going well! Maintain your positive outlook...

That is great you are doing so well. It does make me feel more positive about going through it in September. I pray you continue to heal. I'm not looking forward to wearing the brace as long as I have to but I know if I stay positive as much as I can that I can get through it. Thank you for taking the time to reply. I really do appreciate you sharing!

I had a posterior cervical fusion c3-t1 a year and a half ago and I am still having balance issues and cervicogenic dizziness. Has anyone experienced this?
My pain is gone but the imbalance is driving me crazy.
Christine

I hope your symptoms improve! Have you talked with the surgeon who did the surgery about the imbalance and dizziness? I hope there is a solution so you can feel better!! Please let me know how you are doing.