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C-Spine Fusion Recovery / Neck Brace Questions..?

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    #1

    C-Spine Fusion Recovery / Neck Brace Questions..?

    I have a c-spine fusion for my C5-C6 scheduled this coming Wednesday.

    Recovery seems like it varies so I wanted to see who on the green screen has had it, how was your recovery, and how long/what type of neck brace did you wear?

    I’m 36 and very active, weighted work outs 5-6 days a week, run 12-15 miles a week.

    6’0” - 189lbs

    I plan to walk 2-3 miles a day on tread mill by day 2 post op.

    Other than small 5-10lbs weight I don’t plan to do much weighted exercise for the first 4 weeks at least.

    Also was curious if anyone wore a neck brace for longer than 4 weeks?

    Lastly how were you able to sleep the best scenario?

    Thanks in advance!


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    #2
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      #3
      Good luck with the surgery and recovery. I'd be very surprised if the Dr. would let you keep running. Too much jarring on the fused spine.

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        #4
        Why are you getting fusion and not disc replacement?? Disc replacement will give you much more mobility. I see your surgery is Wednesday, knowing what I know now, I would have postponed my fusion for 6 months to get the disk replacement.

        Don’t rush your recovery or you might be getting a second fusion. Follow the PT instructions.

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          #5
          Originally posted by JES View Post
          Why are you getting fusion and not disc replacement?? Disc replacement will give you much more mobility. I see your surgery is Wednesday, knowing what I know now, I would have postponed my fusion for 6 months to get the disk replacement.

          Don’t rush your recovery or you might be getting a second fusion. Follow the PT instructions.

          Sorry it is a disc replacement


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            #6
            Originally posted by PYBUCK View Post
            Good luck with the surgery and recovery. I'd be very surprised if the Dr. would let you keep running. Too much jarring on the fused spine.

            Sorry it is a disc replacement not fusion


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              #7
              I had almost the same surgery and I would be shocked if your doctor will let you lift or run for some time. Recover is not bad. Mine was C5/C6 & C6/C7. I had to wear my brace for 6 weeks. Sleeping was not a problem at all which surprised me. Pain meds on day one and that was all. None after that. Do NOT rush doing more than you should. You don’t want to have to redo anything. Good luck.

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                #8
                I had C5-C7 fusion in 2017. I had looked into disc replacement - not everyone is a good candidate for that. Also, according to my surgeon, they sometimes have to revise a replacement into a fusion. I too was and still am very active.

                I had mine done in October. Wore the soft neck brace for maybe a month. You'll know when to take it off and when to wear it - your body will tell you. I was back to full normal activities by the following March. I had to ask for the PT and it helps a ton. I was told after the fact that I should not run (I didn't do any long runs anyway so no biggie for me).

                Since yours is a replacement I'd expect your recovery to be much quicker.

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                  #9
                  Had C5-C6 fused in 99. Worst part for me was they took a piece of my hip bone for the graft. Only wore a collar until the first followup visit a couple of days later. Have had no problems since. Flew to London and took the the train to Euro Disney in Paris two weeks later.
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                    #10
                    Originally posted by brunner View Post
                    I plan to walk 2-3 miles a day on tread mill by day 2 post op.

                    Other than small 5-10lbs weight I don’t plan to do much weighted exercise for the first 4 weeks at least.
                    Having 2 friends with neck fusions and a father with a disc replacement, I think this is WAAAYYYYYY optimistic.

                    I would plan on not being able to do ANYTHING day 2 post op instead of setting unrealistic goals and being disappointed.

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                      #11
                      Dang. No advice sir, but good luck with this. Please take it easy getting going.

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                        #12
                        I had ACDF surgery in September 2021, your plan to rehab is optimistic at best. It takes 10-12 weeks for the new discs to fuse with the brace. It was 4 months before I returned to an elliptical and that was too soon. Lifting will come back, but it takes months.

                        Sleep in a recliner, keeps you somewhat immobilized from turning while asleep.

                        I didn't wear a brace, that is surgeon and outcome predicated.

                        Best of luck, its not a bad surgery from a pain management perspective, first 24 hours post op maybe uncomfortable.

                        Pay attention to the restrictions and your PT. There are not many do over options if you f##k up the recovery.

                        Prior to surgery, I lost about 80% strength on my left arm shoulder area from impingement. I'm finally back to 80-100% strength depending j MIon the muscle group.
                        Last edited by labman; 11-13-2022, 07:16 PM.

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                          #13
                          Originally posted by labman View Post
                          I had ACDF surgery in September 2021, your plan to rehab is optimistic at best. It takes 10-12 weeks for the new discs to fuse with the brace. It was 4 months before I returned to an elliptical and that was too soon. Lifting will come back, but it takes months.

                          Sleep in a recliner, keeps you somewhat immobilized from turning while asleep.

                          I didn't wear a brace, that is surgeon and outcome predicated.

                          Best of luck, its not a bad surgery from a pain management perspective, first 24 hours post op maybe uncomfortable.

                          Pay attention to the restrictions and your PT. There are not many do over options if you f##k up the recovery.

                          Prior to surgery, I lost about 80% strength on my left arm shoulder area from impingement. I'm finally back to 80-100% strength depending j MIon the muscle group.

                          I also had this in September, mine was 3&4 and 6&7. Only wore the neck brace on the way back home from Houston a day after surgery. The most annoying thing for me was I had a hard time swallowing for a few days. Take the pain killers before you think you need them. Once the pain starts it’s to late and you’ll need to take another one. About two weeks after I got off the meds.

                          Still have not done anything extremely physical and still can’t draw my bow back. I start PT on the 20th.

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                            #14
                            Headed in the surgery direction, maybe February.
                            I'm 74 and concerned about the unknown recovery.
                            I do have an excellent PT guy.

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                              #15
                              Start taking fiber pills now, and have a supply of stool softeners at home too, take those when you take your pain pill…

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