Low Risk, But Complications Exist While dural tear (a tear in the protective covering of the spinal cord) is the most common neck surgery complication, its total incidence is only 0.77%. C5 palsy (a temporary paralysis in one or both arms) is the second most common complication, with a total incidence of only 0.42%.
In 342 477 cervical spine surgery patients an overall mortality rate of 0.32% was reported. The rate was 3.91% in a cohort of 5933 patients with congestive heart failure and 3.79% in a cohort of 6947 patients with paraplegia.
Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion is one of the most commonly performed spinal operations in the United States with an average of 137,000 procedures performed each year.
You may have trouble sitting or standing in one position for very long. You may need to wear a neck brace for a while. Most people can go back to work after 4 to 6 weeks. But it may take a few months to get back to your usual activities.
The operation generally takes 1 to 3 hours. You will lie on your back on the operative table and be given anesthesia. Once asleep, your neck area is cleansed and prepped. If a fusion is planned and your own bone will be used, the hip area is also prepped to obtain a bone graft.
As long as you are physically and mentally healthy at the time of your treatment and are not dealing with any uncontrolled medical concerns such as bleeding disorders or hypertension, you should qualify. In general, it is most common for patients between 35 and 65 to pursue a neck lift.
After Surgery
Most patients will remain in the hospital for one to two days. The surgical site in your neck will be sore for a few days. You will be encouraged to walk as soon as you are able as this will help speed your recovery. You may need to wear a soft or rigid collar for four to six weeks.
Neck Surgery Benefits
After the procedure and recovery time, you'll be able to return to your normal life without having to think about pain every day. Neck pain keeps you from doing what you love and is also mentally exhausting because it's constantly occupying your thoughts.
Paralysis after cervical spinal surgery has multiple causes, including compression of the spinal cord resulting from poorly implanted fixation or hematoma formation, spinal cord edema and ischemia reperfusion injury.
There is always a risk of bleeding, blood clotting, or infections with back and neck surgery. Laminectomies are invasive procedures that often result in damage to surrounding tissues and nerves.
The success rate of cervical spine surgery is very high, but complications have been reported.
By: Joshua Shatsky, MD, Orthopedic Surgeon
Most people fully recover their voice within a few days of the surgery, but others may have trouble speaking for weeks or longer.
While most doctors would prefer to reduce neck pain without surgery, such as through physical therapy and medication, sometimes surgery is the best choice. This can be the case if you've been diagnosed with cervical disc disease, due to arthritis, injury, or another unknown cause.
CANDIDATES FOR NECK SURGERY
When conservative care such as rest and physical therapy does not relieve the pain or the other symptoms associated with a deteriorated cervical disc, you may be a candidate for neck surgery.
Usually, you will have to remain in the hospital for around two days following this surgery. Further recovery will happen over the next four to six weeks, after which you can return to light activities. Full recovery takes around two to three months.
Most patients fully recover from spinal fusion around eight to 12 months after the procedure. At this point, patients may be able to partake in all of their normal activities. However, spinal fusion patients will never regain the ability to bend, twist, or flex the fused segment.
Some surgeons never have their patients use them -- even to stabilize the neck after a fusion procedure. Others use them to provide support and security for the patient but don't consider them really necessary.
Cervical fusion alters the biomechanics of the structures in the neck. When two vertebrae are fused, the process transfers an increased load to adjacent vertebrae and joints. Increased load bearing can cause muscle tension, tightness and accelerated degeneration of surrounding joints, bones and spinal discs.
With general anesthesia, you're “asleep” during surgery. More accurately, you're unconscious: your brain won't respond to pain signals or reflexes, so you won't wake up during your procedure. For awake spine surgery, you get spinal anesthesia, a type of regional anesthesia.
During the Surgery
If you are having a cosmetic neck procedure, your surgeon may offer either intravenous sedation or general anesthesia. 2 Depending on your medical history, personal preferences, and the type of procedure you're getting done, your practitioner will recommend the best course of pain management.
Learn More About Different Types of Neck Surgery
With an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, the vertebrae are usually solidly fused together within three months. However, it may take up to 6-12 months before you can resume physical sports or other physically intensive activities.
You have nerve compression that is significant or worsening.
This can lead to pain, numbness, and weakness anywhere along the nerve path, which means you can feel it in your shoulders or down your arms. Surgery can be performed to remove the source of pressure on your nerves, such as a herniated disc.
Two common types of surgical procedures that relieve neck pain are spinal decompression and spinal fusion. Spinal decompression involves removal of tissue that is causing pain by pressing against a nerve.
The most common surgery for neck pain involves a discectomy, which is the removal of a problematic disc in the cervical spine. Typically, the surgery is performed through the front of the neck, called anterior cervical discectomy.