The anterior cervical discectomy and fusion procedure is commonly used to address herniated and degenerative disc in the neck region of your spine. Even though the surgery can typically be performed using minimally invasive techniques, because of the operation’s sensitive location, you’ll likely have mild to moderate discomfort in your neck as you progress through the early stages of rehab.
So while pain should be expected, we also want to give patients the tools they need to help reduce pain or keep it from causing problems during their recovery. In today’s blog, we share some tips for managing pain after ACDF.
How To Control Pain After Spine Surgery
Both before and after surgery, we talk with patients about pain expectations and how they can best manage pain following their discectomy and fusion procedure. Here are some of the topics we’ll touch on when it comes to pain control.
- Painkiller Medications – Prescription painkillers will likely be prescribed in the short-term during the early stages of your recovery. Your doctor will explain how you should take your medication to stay ahead of your pain without becoming over reliant on your medication to completely drown out pain. Always take your medications as advised, and don’t take any medication without first getting clearance from your surgeon. Some over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications can actually inhibit the fusion process, so only take medications as directed.
- Muscle Relaxers – You may also be given muscle relaxers to help reduce tension in your neck while it works to recover from the trauma of surgery. Again, these will be used on a short-term basis, and you’ll want to make sure that you understand how to best take muscle relaxers in combination with any other prescriptions before starting a medication regimen.
- Icing – Your surgeon will also likely recommend icing the area. Cold packs can be applied a couple of times a day for 20-25 minutes a time, and this can help to calm inflammation and swelling after your operation, which can help with pain control and may also speed up healing after surgery. You should place a towel or cloth between the ice and your skin to prevent excessive cold exposure.
- Move – Early movement can also help to improve your circulation and aid in pain control after your ACDF procedure. You will want to stay within the physical limits imposed by your surgeon, but laying in bed all day for weeks on end isn’t the best way to recover after ACDF. Early movement within your restrictions can help speed up your recovery and reduce pain.
And as always, if you’re running into an issue managing your pain after an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion or another spine surgery, reach out to your surgeon. For more information about ACDF, or to talk to a specialist about your back pain, give Dr. Jackman’s clinic a call today at (651) 430-3800.
