If you have a herniated or deteriorated disc in your neck that is causing a great deal of pain and numbness, then it may be time to speak with your doctor about cervical disc replacement. This type of procedure is a routine one where you are likely to go home the same day or the day after. And, before you go into the hospital for your procedure, you should do a few things to make sure you are prepared at home. Keep reading to learn what these things are.
Get Your Cervical Neck Brace
You will need to wear a neck brace for at least a week following your cervical disc replacement surgery. You should acquire this brace from your doctor or purchase one before you go in for your operation. The brace is essential to your recovery since it helps to keep your neck in a stable position while you heal. This minimizes movement in order to reduce pain and swelling and it also keeps pain well-controlled. Pain control allows you to limit the number of narcotic pain relievers you will need to use.
There are a few different types of cervical neck braces that are available for use and your surgeon will inform you if a soft or a rigid device is needed. Most commonly, you will need one of the harder or more rigid braces. Make sure that you work with your doctor beforehand so one can be fitted properly to your neck. While a standard brace should be more than enough to provide stabilization, sometimes a custom device is needed to ensure a good fit. This is common if you have an unusually long or short neck. Since it can take some time to have the custom orthotic created, you want to go through your brace fitting as soon as possible in case one is needed.
Find A Helper
You will likely be able to complete all of the normal and everyday tasks that you are used to completing on your own. However, you will need someone to help you with a few simple things for about the first week after the operation. This includes the changing of the dressing on the surgical incision site. The site must be kept clean and covered, so you will need to find someone who is willing to change the dressing one to two times a day.
In addition, you want your helper to examine the incision area briefly to make sure that it is not bright red or oozing. So ask a friend or family member who is not squeamish.