Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion is an operation performed on the upper spine to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or on one or more nerve roots. Compression of a spinal nerve root in the neck causes severe pain radiating into the arm. Pain also occurs in the neck and shoulder blade.

The procedure is explained by the words anterior (front), cervical (neck), and discectomy (cutting out the disc). Decompression of the nerve is performed through a small incision in the front of the neck where the offending central disc material is removed, including the compressing fragments in the spinal canal. In its place a small bone graft is positioned, and small titanium plates and screws are used to fix the graft in position.

Verify the date and time that you need to check into the pre-operative area at Swedish Medical Center. If you smoke, your bones are at a higher risk of not fusing. During the 3-4 weeks prior to your surgery, stop smoking or cut down as much as possible. Aspirin, aspirin products, ibuprofen, and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications can make you bleed more during surgery. Stop taking any of these medications at least 7 days prior to your surgery. Please also let us know about all medications that you are taking. Prepare your home since your mobility will be extremely limited following your surgery. Place things that you use daily in places that will be easy to reach. Recruit family members or friends to come assist you at your home after your operation and during your recovery period. The night before your surgery, don’t eat or drink anything after midnight. If you have daily medications and have been told to continue using them, please only take them with small sips of water. Finally, shower and wash your hair the morning of your surgery. You will not be allowed to shower again until 3 days after your surgery.

Once you have awakened from the surgery, you will stay in the recovery room for approximately one hour prior to being transferred to your hospital room. In your hospital room, we will help control the pain and nausea that you may experience from the surgery with medications. Your hospitalization stay may vary from one to two days depending on how quickly you start eating, ambulating steadily, and urinating without problems. Your pain must be controlled with oral pain medications before you can go home.

Shortly after you have been discharged from the hospital, please call our office and make a follow-up appointment to check your skin incision. This follow-up appointment should be scheduled between 7 - 10 days after your surgery. You may also contact any one of our Certified Physician Assistants if you have any questions, problems, or concerns. In addition to the standard follow-up at 7 - 10 days, additional follow-up appointments will occur at 6 weeks and at 12 weeks with X-rays. Therefore, please be sure to also schedule these additional follow-up appointments.

Pain medication You will be discharged with pain medications. Take them as directed. Each individual varies in how long pain medication is necessary. We will work with each patient individually. If you are running out and need more, please plan to call during our office hours between Monday thru Friday. Showering/Incision You may shower on the 3rd day after your operation. Do not soak or bathe in a tub. It is not necessary to use any ointments. Keep your incision clean and dry. Signs of Infection Call our office immediately if there are any signs of infection, these include: Increasing pain Drainage Increasing redness, swelling or fever Signs of Neurologic Changes Call if you develop new weakness or numbness, or any other worrisome symptoms. Call if you have any questions or concerns. Steri Strips Allow steri strips (surgical tapes over your incision) to fall off on their own. Restrictions STRICTLY enforced in order to allow your body to heal properly. These include: No driving for the first two weeks. No lifting greater then 10 pounds. Wear your collar at all times, even when showering, until you are seen at your 7 - 10 day follow-up. You will be given two collars in order to change out when one is wet. Recommendations with respect to your collar will be further individualized at your follow-up appointment. Return to work and physical activity will be determined on an individual basis during follow-up appointments.

Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns:

Huong Hoang, PA-C Jaimee Pacheco, PA-C Megan Edstrom, PA-C

Physician Assistants

303-783-8844