How long does it take to recover from anterior cervical spine surgery?

Anterior cervical spine surgery is a relatively common surgery for treating cervical spondylosis. Patients need a period of recovery after the surgery. As for the length of recovery time, it depends on the effect of the surgery, the patient's specific condition, and physical constitution. Generally, patients will be able to get out of bed and exercise moderately a few days after the surgery. After the surgery, you must understand some precautions and pay more attention to rationality.

Precautions after anterior cervical spine surgery

The indications for anterior cervical spine surgery are generally compression of the cervical spinal cord or nerve roots below three segments, and the patient has radicular symptoms that do not improve after more than three months of conservative treatment; or myeloid symptoms occur, and the patient has difficulty walking with both hands or lower limbs. The surgical method currently used: ACDF or ACCF. ACDF refers to the removal of the intervertebral disc and fusion of the adjacent surgical segments; ACCF refers to the removal of the vertebra and fusion of the adjacent surgical segments. Both require anterior plate protection.

Postoperative treatment:

1) After returning to the ward from the operating room, the patient is generally fixed with a neck brace, placed in a supine position, and placed under ECG monitoring. The next 24 hours are the critical time after the operation, and the patient's vital signs must be closely observed. The drainage tube and breathing conditions are particularly important. If breathing difficulties occur and drainage fluid is insufficient, postoperative hematoma formation may be the cause. In an emergency, an incision exploration must be performed at the bedside, otherwise death from suffocation may occur. 2) On the second day after surgery, the patient's vital signs are stable. The drainage fluid from the drainage tube is generally greater than 40 ml. It is recommended to leave it in place for another day for observation. You can raise the head of the bed about 40° and remember to wear a neck brace. 3) On the third day after surgery, the patient's drainage volume was less than 40 ml, and the drainage tube was removed. X-rays and cervical spine MRI were reviewed after surgery, and the patient wore a neck brace to move around. 4) If the patient is in good general condition and there is no obvious redness, swelling or exudation from the wound, the patient can be discharged from the hospital and advised to wear a cervical collar. 5) Six weeks after surgery, a cervical spine X-ray was performed. Compared with the original film, no obvious changes were found. The neck brace was removed and mild functional exercises of the cervical spine were started, including rotation and flexion and extension activities, but the range must not be too large.