Anterior Cervical Corpectomy Spine procedure helps stabilize the spine and prevents neurologic problems from deteriorating. It restores normal functioning of the spine. Anterior Cervical Corpectomy Spine procedure also improves the neck pain, weakness, numbness in the hand and fingers.
Patients are admitted in hospitals for the procedures. For more details and free consultation, you can fill in the inquiry form on our website. All your medical queries will be answered.
- Ask someone to drive you home after your Anterior Cervical Corpectomy Spine procedure.
- Stop using aspirin or any other prescribed or over-the-counter medicine before your Cervical Corpectomy Spine procedure.
- Tell your doctor if you are allergic to any medicine and what medicines you are taking.
- You may need some tests prior to the procedure to evaluate your medical condition.
- If you are a smoker, you need to stop.
- Stop taking medicines that make it harder for your blood to clot.
- If you have diabetes, heart disease, or other medical problems, see your doctor.
- Talk with your doctor if you have been drinking a lot of alcohol.
- Let your doctor know right away if you get a cold, flu, fever, herpes breakout, or other illnesses.
- Visit a physical therapist to learn exercises to do before surgery.
- Don't drink or eat anything for 8 to 12 hours before the Anterior Cervical Corpectomy Spine procedure or as advised by the surgeon and anesthetist.
In Anterior Cervical Corpectomy Spine procedure, a one-two inches horizontal incision is made on the neck. The thin muscle below the skin is then split and entered. A thin fascia covers the spine, which is cut up from the disc space. Then a needle is inserted into the disc space and an X-ray is taken to determine if the surgeon is at the right vertebra level. After the right disc space is spotted, the disc is taken out. In this procedure, majority portion of the disc is removed. Dissection is carried out from the front to back of a ligament. The ligament is removed to provide access to the spinal canal to remove any bone spurs or disc material.
Most patients are allowed home within two to three days after the Anterior Cervical Corpectomy Spine procedure. Physical therapists work in congruence with the patients and train them on movement and walking techniques during the Anterior Cervical Corpectomy Spine recovery time. It is recommended that patients avoid bending and twisting of the neck for the first month after the surgery. After the pain subsides, patients can slowly start bending and twisting their neck. Heavy lifting is not allowed in the acute postoperative period.
- How do I know if I am a candidate for the Anterior Cervical Corpectomy Spine surgery?
- What types of conditions demand Anterior Cervical Corpectomy Spine surgery?
- Will physical therapy be required after Anterior Cervical Corpectomy Spine surgery?
- When should I call my doctor?
Anterior Cervical Corpectomy Spine surgery is the last resort to treat pain that rolls down the arms or legs, associated with numbness or weakness and conditions that haven't improved with non-operative treatment. Your physician should start treatment with non- operative models and if things don't get better then a spine surgeon can be consulted.
Most patients who experience neck or back pain that spreads down to the arms or legs and neurological indications such as weakness, numbness, difficulty in maintaining balance bowel problems are symptoms that may need surgical decompression.
Getting complete motion and flexibility post-surgery requires a lot of time. That's when pre-operative and post-operative physical therapy programs come handy. This helps you make sure that you are physically prepared for surgery and can maximize your recovery after surgery.
Call your doctor if you have the following symptoms: