Cervical Disc Replacement

Postoperative Instructions

• You will have a soft collar to wear after surgery for 2 weeks. Wear this at all times except for eating, sleeping, sitting with back support, and showering/hygiene.  
• You will be discharged the day of surgery. Plan to have someone drive you home.  
• A prescription for pain medications will be given to you. If you need a refill, please call our office 757-827-2480 Ext 365.  
• We do not recommend driving until first postop appointment which is 2 weeks after surgery. You may ride in a car, but do not ride for more than two hours continuously without getting out and walking for the first 4 weeks. If you need a temporary handicap parking permit, one can be arranged for you.  
• Change the dressing as needed. Please check your dressing daily for any drainage. We recommend a waterproof dressing especially while showering. Keep the incision clean, dry and covered.  
• After the dressing is removed at your follow-up appointment, you may shower without the dressing on. Pat the area dry. Do not submerge your incision in water such as hot tubs, bathtubs, pools, etc…for 6 weeks.  
• Do not take ibuprofen, Motrin, Aleve or other NSAIDs until 3 days postop. Do not lift anything greater than 5lbs.  
• Be sure to get up and take short walks 4 times per day to help avoid developing a blood clot in your legs.  
• Be sure to maintain a healthy bowel regimen while on pain medications. Opioids tend to cause constipation. Use stool softeners and gentle laxatives to maintain regular bowel habits.  
• Call the office to report any fever >101.5, progressively worsening pain that is not controlled with oral pain medications, drainage from your incision, new bowel/bladder incontinence.  

Call our office for any concern at (757) 827-2480. If you feel it is a medical emergency, call 911 or go to an emergency room.