Anterior Cervical Discectomy & Fusion (ACDF)
What to expect after Surgery
After surgery you will be transferred to the recovery room, also called the PACU (post anesthesia care unit). After you have awaken from the anesthesia, you will then be transferred to your hospital room. This is typically when your family members can visit you.
Either the same day or the following morning after surgery, a physical and/or occupational therapist will begin your therapy. During your hospital stay, you will be given medications to help with pain and IV antibiotics to minimize the risk of infection. Most patients spend 1-2 nights in the hospital and are discharged home after:
You are tolerating a diet
Your pain is controlled
After you have worked with and passed physical therapy.
Walking after surgery is highly encouraged, even the same day of surgery!
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of recovery can you expect after Surgery?
Recovery from ACDF surgery takes 8-12 weeks for the bones to heal, but most patients continue to heal for up to a year after surgery.
When can I return to work and/or activities?
Walking is highly encouraged, immediately after surgery and throughout your post-operative period. Most patients can return to a light desk job or household activities by 2-3 weeks after surgery. Patients with jobs that require heavy lifting or strenuous labor will not be allowed to return until Dr. Wilson ensures your bones have fused. In addition, activities such as biking, skiing, or running will not be allowed until Dr. Wilson ensures your bones have fused.
When will my neck or arm pain go away?
If you can imagine putting your elbow on a hard surface for a long time, what happens? Your fingers start to go to sleep. Why? Because the nerves to these fingers is compressed, is asleep, and is irritable. Once you realize this, you pick up your elbow (to remove the pressure off of the nerve) and shake your fingers until they wake up. If you have had compression of your nerves and spinal cord for months to years, then it may take some time before the nerve recovers and wakes up (if it recovers at all). Most patients, however, wake up from surgery with arm pain relief meaning that the debilitating arm pain they had before surgery has went away, but may have some neck pain and spasms from the surgical incision itself. This pain will be controlled with oral/IV pain medications and antispasm medications throughout your hospital stay.
When and how will my bones fuse together?
Once Dr. Wilson removes the diseased disc and replaces it with a metal or plastic cage and bone graft, this starts the process of spinal fusion. How quickly your bone fuses depends on many factors such as your bone quality, your general overall health, if you are a smoker or not, etc but most patients can expect a solid fusion by 12 weeks post op.Once Dr. Wilson confirms adequate fusion (usually around 3-4 months after surgery), he may then allow you to return to more strenuous activities such as running, biking, etc.
What complications are there with this procedure?
There are risks to any surgery that you should be aware of:
Inadequate relief of symptoms
Dr. Wilson is very particular about making sure we target the right level of your spine that may be causing your symptoms.
Inadequate relief of symptoms after surgery could be due to a number of things including: multiple levels that are degenerated or worn out that will not be addressed in surgery, surgery done on the wrong level, or advanced and severe spinal cord compression that may be irreversible.
Injections are confirmatory and are very predictive of how well you will do with surgery. These spinal injections, usually done before surgery in the conservative treatment period, are essential in determining which level of your spine is the cause of your symptoms.
Multiple degenerated areas of your spine, seen on your imaging studies such as MRI, X-ray, etc., does not mean every level needs an operation. Dr. Wilson believes in symptom specific surgery.
Failure of bone graft to heal adequately (called a non-union or pseudarthrosis)
This risk is elevated if you are a smoker, are older than 60 years old, on chronic steroids, have osteoporosis, history of previous spine surgery, or if you are diabetic.
Smoking cessation, optimizing your bone and general health, and maintaining normal glucose levels are recommended before any spine procedure to give you the best outcome.
Some patients whose bones do not fuse after this procedure may require additional surgery to reattempt a spinal fusion, if their symptoms are bad enough to warrant it.
Nerve damage, causing speech or swallowing issues
There are small nerves that control your larynx (voice box) that reside very close to the surgical site.
Dr. Wilson carefully works around these nerves and ensures they are not damaged during surgery.
If they become irritated by surgery, your voice may be hoarse for weeks to months after surgery until the nerve recovers.
Some patients may also have a sore throat from the endotracheal (breathing tube) placed during surgery or from the retraction of the esophagus and windpipe during surgery. This tends to get better after surgery.
Dural tear
The dura is the outer layer of the spinal cord. Sometimes, this layer can be especially thin in certain patients and very friable. During surgery, if there is a small tear in this layer, Dr. Wilson will attempt to repair it. This is a not a very common complication, but definitely one that needs to be known.
Sometimes after a dural tear is repaired, Dr. Wilson may ask that you sit upright for 24 hours after surgery. This is done to give the repair time to heal and to ensure his repair does not come apart.
Fortunately, multiple studies have shown that having a dural tear repair does not affect your outcome from surgery.
Infection
Very low risk (<1%) but this risk is increased if you are overweight, immunosuppressed, on chronic steroids, or diabetic.
Antibiotics will be given before surgery starts and also given for 24 hours after surgery while you are in the hospital to decrease the risk of infection.
Bleeding
Very low risk, but increased if you are taking blood thinners, fish oil, herbal medications or have a clotting disorder.
These medications will need to be stopped before surgery.
Sometimes, a special tube called a drain will be placed during surgery. This tube is to collect any blood or fluids that can collect after surgery. This drain will be removed before you leave the hospital, usually the next day after surgery.
Spinal cord or Nerve damage
Low risk
A neuromonitoring technician is a professional trained in the monitoring of your nerves and spinal cord.
This person (along with a Neurologist) is part of the team that will be taking care of you during surgery and will help Dr. Wilson monitor your nerves and spinal cord throughout the procedure.
You will be able to meet this person the morning of surgery and ask any questions about their role in your care.
Generally, after you are asleep from anesthesia, this technician will place small wires on your legs and arms so that the nerves and spinal cord and be monitored during surgery.
Adjacent Segment Disease:
Fancy word that means your levels above or below your fusion have degenerated faster because the fused area of the spine places.
If this occurs and causes symptoms, Dr. Wilson will discuss the next steps to manage this starting with conservative treatment options like physical therapy and/or injections.
A handful of these patients will require additional surgery to address those degenerated levels.
Posterior Cervical Laminectomy & Fusion
What to expect after Surgery?
After surgery you will be transferred to the recovery room, also called the PACU (post anesthesia care unit). After you have awaken from the anesthesia, you will then be transferred to your hospital room. This is typically when your family members can visit you.
Either the same day or the following morning after surgery, a physical and/or occupational therapist will begin your therapy. During your hospital stay, you will be given medications to help with pain and IV antibiotics to minimize the risk of infection. Most patients spend 2-3 nights in the hospital and are discharged home after:
You are tolerating a diet
Your pain is controlled
After you have worked with and passed physical therapy.
Walking after surgery is highly encouraged, even the same day of surgery!
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of recovery can I expect after Surgery?
Recovery from a posterior cervical laminectomy and fusion surgery takes 8-12 weeks for the bones to heal, but patients continue to heal for up to a year after surgery.
When can I return to work and/or my activities?
Walking is highly encouraged, immediately after surgery and throughout your post operative period. Most patients can return to a light desk job or household activities by 2-3 weeks after surgery. Patients with jobs that require heavy lifting, strenuous labor, or activities such as biking, skiing, or running will not be allowed to return until Dr. Wilson ensures your bones have fused. This is usually around 12 weeks.
When will my neck or arm pain go away?
If you can imagine putting your elbow on a hard surface for a long time, what happens? Your fingers start to go to sleep. Why? Because the nerves to these fingers is compressed, is asleep, and is irritable. Once you realize this, you pick up your elbow (to remove the pressure off of the nerve) and shake your fingers until they wake up.This is a similar concept in spine surgery where depending on how long your nerves and spinal cord have been compressed, will determine how long it takes for the nerve to wake up after the surgery. If you have had compression of your nerves and spinal cord for months to years, then it may take some time before the nerve recovers and wakes up (if it recovers at all). Most patients, however wake up from surgery with arm pain relief meaning that the debilitating arm pain they had before surgery has went away, but may have some neck pain and spasms from the surgical incision itself. This pain will be controlled with oral/IV pain medications and antispasm medications throughout your hospital stay.
When can I expect my bones to fuse together after surgery?
Once Dr. Wilson removes the structures (bone spurs, excess ligament, etc) that are compressing your spinal cord and nerves, bone graft, screws and rods will be then placed. This starts the process of spinal fusion. How quickly your bone fuses depends on many factors such as your bone quality, your general overall health, if you are a smoker or not, etc but most patients can expect a solid fusion by 12 weeks post op.
Once Dr. Wilson confirms adequate fusion (usually around 3-4 months after surgery), he may then allow you to return to more strenuous activities such as running, biking, etc.
What complications should I be aware of?
Inadequate relief of symptoms
Dr. Wilson is very particular about making sure we target the right level of your spine that may be causing your symptoms.
Inadequate relief of symptoms after surgery could be due to a number of things including: multiple levels that are degenerated or worn out that will not be addressed in surgery, surgery done on the wrong level, or advanced and severe spinal cord compression that may be irreversible.
Injections are confirmatory and are very predictive of how well you will do with surgery. These spinal injections, usually done before surgery in the conservative treatment period, are essential in determining which level of your spine is the cause of your symptoms.
Just because you have multiple degenerated areas of your spine according to your imaging studies (MRI, X-ray, etc.), does not mean every level needs an operation.
Failure of bone graft to heal adequately (called a non-union or pseudarthrosis)
This risk is elevated if you are a smoker, are older than 60 years old, on chronic steroids, have osteoporosis, or if you are diabetic.
Smoking cessation, optimizing your bone and general health, and maintaining normal glucose levels are recommended before any spine procedure to give you the best outcome.
Some patients whose bones do not fuse after this procedure may require additional surgery to reattempt a spinal fusion if their symptoms are bad enough to warrant it.
Nerve damage, causing arm and/or leg weakness and pain
A neuromonitoring technician is a professional trained in the monitoring of your nerves and spinal cord. This person (along with a Neurologist) is part of the team that will be taking care of you during surgery and will help Dr. Wilson monitor your nerves and spinal cord throughout the procedure.
You will be able to meet this person the morning of surgery and ask any questions about their role in your care.
Generally, after you are asleep from anesthesia, this technician will place small wires on your legs and arms so that the nerves and spinal cord and be monitored during surgery.
There are small nerves that control the muscles in your arms and legs that are close to where Dr. Wilson will be working. Dr. Wilson carefully works around these nerves and ensures they are not damaged during surgery.
If these nerves become irritated during surgery (sometimes just by touching or moving them), these nerves may cause pain for weeks to months after surgery until the nerve recovers.
During this time, Dr. Wilson may prescribe you nerve medication or steroids to help calm the inflammation down.
Although a low risk, some patients may wake up with weakness in their shoulders and/or biceps. This is called, C5 nerve palsy and is a condition that is caused by irritation to the nerve responsible for your shoulder and bicep function. You may wake up from surgery with weakness in either one or both of these muscles. This may take several months to recover (if at all) and there are unfortunately not a lot of great options to treat this.
Dural tear
The dura is the outer layer of the spinal cord. Sometimes, this layer can be especially thin in certain patients and very friable. During surgery, if there is a small tear in this layer, Dr. Wilson will attempt to repair it. This is a not a very common complication, but definitely one that needs to be known.
Sometimes after a dural tear is repaired, Dr. Wilson may ask that you sit upright for 24 hours after surgery. This is done to give the repair time to heal and to ensure his repair does not come apart.
Fortunately, multiple studies have shown that having a dural tear repair does not affect your outcome from surgery.
Infection
Very low risk (<1%) but this risk is increased if you are overweight, immunosuppressed, on chronic steroids, or diabetic.
Antibiotics will be given before surgery starts and also given for 24 hours after surgery while you are in the hospital to decrease the risk of infection.
Bleeding
Very low risk, but increased if you are taking blood thinners, fish oil, herbal medications or have a clotting disorder.
These medications will need to be stopped before surgery.
Sometimes, a special tube called a drain will be placed during surgery. This tube is to collect any blood or fluids that can collect after surgery. This drain will be removed before you leave the hospital, usually the next day after surgery.
Adjacent segment disease:
Fancy word that means the levels above or below your fusion have degenerated faster, because the fused area of the spine places more stress on these levels.
If this occurs and causes symptoms, Dr. Wilson will discuss the next steps to manage this starting with conservative treatment options like physical therapy and/or injections.
A handful of these patients will require additional surgery to address those degenerated levels.
Posterior Cervical Foraminotomy
What to expect after Surgery
After surgery you will be transferred to the recovery room, also called the PACU (post anesthesia care unit). After you have awaken from the anesthesia, you will then be transferred to your hospital room. This is typically when your family members can visit you.
Either the same day or the following morning after surgery, a physical and/or occupational therapist will begin your therapy. During your hospital stay, you will be given medications to help with pain and IV antibiotics to minimize the risk of infection. Most patients spend 1-2 nights in the hospital and are discharged home after:
You are tolerating a diet
Your pain is controlled
After you have worked with and passed physical therapy.
Walking after surgery is highly encouraged, even the same day of surgery!
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of recovery can you expect after surgery?
Recovery from posterior cervical foraminotomy surgery can take 4-6 weeks, but patients continue to heal for up to a year after surgery.
When can I return to work and/or activities?
Walking is highly encouraged, immediately after surgery and throughout your post operative period. Most patients can return to a light desk job or household activities by 2-3 weeks after surgery.
When will my neck or arm pain go away?
If you can imagine putting your elbow on a hard surface for a long time, what happens? Your fingers start to go to sleep. Why? Because the nerves to these fingers is compressed, is asleep, and is irritable. Once you realize this, you pick up your elbow (to remove the pressure off of the nerve) and shake your fingers until they wake up. This is a similar concept in spine surgery where depending on how long your nerves and spinal cord have been compressed, will determine how long it takes for the nerve to wake up after the surgery. If you have had compression of your nerves and spinal cord for months to years, then it may take some time before the nerve recovers and wakes up (if it recovers at all). Most patients, however wake up from surgery with arm pain relief meaning that the debilitating arm pain they had before surgery has went away, but may have some neck pain and spasms from the surgical incision itself. This pain will be controlled with oral/IV pain medications and antispasm medications throughout your hospital stay.
What complications should I be aware of?
Inadequate relief of symptoms
Dr. Wilson is very particular about making sure we target the right level of your spine that may be causing your symptoms.
Inadequate relief of symptoms after surgery could be due to a number of things including: multiple levels that are degenerated or worn out that will not be addressed in surgery, surgery done on the wrong level, or advanced and severe spinal cord compression that may be irreversible.
Injections are confirmatory and are very predictive of how well you will do with surgery. These spinal injections, usually done before surgery in the conservative treatment period, are essential in determining which level of your spine is the cause of your symptoms.
Just because you have multiple degenerated areas of your spine according to your imaging studies (MRI, X-ray, etc.), does not mean every level needs an operation. Dr. Wilson believes in symptom specific surgery.
Dural tear
The dura is the outer layer of the spinal cord. Sometimes, this layer can be especially thin in certain patients and very friable. During surgery, if there is a small tear in this layer, Dr. Wilson will attempt to repair it. This is a not a very common complication, but definitely one that needs to be known.
Sometimes after a dural tear is repaired, Dr. Wilson may ask that you to sit upright for 24 hours after surgery. This is done to give the repair time to heal and to ensure his repair does not come apart.
Fortunately, multiple studies have shown that having a dural tear repair does not affect your outcome from surgery.
Infection
Very low risk (<1%) but this risk is increased if you are overweight, immunosuppressed, on chronic steroids, or diabetic.
Antibiotics will be given before surgery starts and also given for 24 hours after surgery while you are in the hospital to decrease the risk of infection.
Bleeding
Very low risk, but increased if you are taking blood thinners, fish oil, herbal medications or have a clotting disorder.
Sometimes, a special tube called a drain will be placed during surgery. This tube is to collect any blood or fluids that can collect after surgery. This drain will be removed before you leave the hospital, usually the next day after surgery.
Spinal cord or Nerve damage
Low risk
A neuromonitoring technician is a professional trained in the monitoring of your nerves and spinal cord.
This person (along with a Neurologist) is part of the team that will be taking care of you during surgery and will help Dr. Wilson monitor your nerves and spinal cord throughout the procedure.
You will be able to meet this person the morning of surgery and ask any questions about their role in your care.
Generally, after you are asleep from anesthesia, this technician will place small wires on your legs and arms so that the nerves and spinal cord and be monitored during surgery.
Reoperation
Some patients who do not get full relief of their symptoms may require additional surgery, such as a fusion, to relieve their symptoms.
Posterior Cervical Laminoplasty
What to can I expect after surgery?
After surgery you will be transferred to the recovery room, also called the PACU (post anesthesia care unit). After you have awaken from the anesthesia, you will then be transferred to your hospital room. This is typically when your family members can visit you. Either the same day or the following morning after surgery, a physical and/or occupational therapist will begin your therapy. During your hospital stay, you will be given medications to help with pain and IV antibiotics to minimize the risk of infection. Most patients spend 1-2 nights in the hospital and are discharged home after:
You are tolerating a diet
Your pain is controlled
After you have worked with and passed physical therapy.
Walking after surgery is highly encouraged, even the same day of surgery!
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of recovery can I expect after surgery?
Recovery from posterior cervical laminoplasty surgery can take 6-12 weeks, but patients continue to heal for up to a year after surgery.
When can I return to work and/or to my activities?
Walking is highly encouraged, immediately after surgery and throughout your post operative period. Most patients can return to a light desk job or household activities by 2-3 weeks after surgery.
When will my neck or arm pain go away?
If you can imagine putting your elbow on a hard surface for a long time, what happens? Your fingers start to go to sleep. Why? Because the nerves to these fingers is compressed, is asleep, and is irritable. Once you realize this, you pick up your elbow (to remove the pressure off of the nerve) and shake your fingers until they wake up. This is a similar concept in spine surgery where depending on how long your nerves and spinal cord have been compressed, will determine how long it takes for the nerve to wake up after the surgery. If you have had compression of your nerves and spinal cord for months to years, then it may take some time before the nerve recovers and wakes up (if it recovers at all). Most patients, however, wake up from surgery with arm pain relief meaning that the debilitating arm pain they had before surgery has went away, but may have some neck pain and spasms from the surgical incision itself. This pain will be controlled with oral/IV pain medications and antispasm medications throughout your hospital stay.
What complications should I be aware of?
Inadequate relief of symptoms
Dr. Wilson is very particular about making sure we target the right level of your spine that may be causing your symptoms.
Inadequate relief of symptoms after surgery could be due to a number of things including: multiple levels that are degenerated or worn out that will not be addressed in surgery, surgery done on the wrong level, or advanced and severe spinal cord compression that may be irreversible.
Injections are confirmatory and are very predictive of how well you will do with surgery. These spinal injections, usually done before surgery in the conservative treatment period, are essential in determining which level of your spine is the cause of your symptoms.
Just because you have multiple degenerated areas of your spine according to your imaging studies (MRI, X-ray, etc.), does not mean every level needs an operation.
Dural tear
The dura is the outer layer of the spinal cord. Sometimes, this layer can be especially thin in certain patients and very friable. During surgery, if there is a small tear in this layer, Dr. Wilson will attempt to repair it. This is a not a very common complication, but definitely one that needs to be known.
Sometimes after a dural tear is repaired, Dr. Wilson may ask that you sit upright for 24 hours after surgery. This is done to give the repair time to heal and to ensure his repair does not come apart.
Fortunately, multiple studies have shown that having a dural tear repair does not affect your outcome from surgery.
Infection
Very low risk (<1%) but this risk is increased if you are overweight, immunosuppressed, on chronic steroids, or diabetic.
Antibiotics will be given before surgery starts and also given for 24 hours after surgery while you are in the hospital to decrease the risk of infection.
Bleeding
Very low risk, but increased if you are taking blood thinners, fish oil, herbal medications or have a clotting disorder.
Sometimes, a special tube called a drain will be placed during surgery. This tube is to collect any blood or fluids that can collect after surgery. This drain will be removed before you leave the hospital, usually the next day after surgery.
Spinal cord or Nerve damage
Very low risk
A neuromonitoring technician is a professional trained in the monitoring of your nerves and spinal cord.
This person (along with a Neurologist) is part of the team that will be taking care of you during surgery and will help Dr. Wilson monitor your nerves and spinal cord throughout the procedure.
You will be able to meet this person the morning of surgery and ask any questions about their role in your care.
Generally, after you are asleep from anesthesia, this technician will place small wires on your legs and arms so that the nerves and spinal cord and be monitored during surgery.
Reoperation
Some patients who do not get full relief of their symptoms may require additional surgery, such as a fusion, to relieve their symptoms.
Cervical Disc Replacement
What is a cervical disc replacement?
Cervical = area of your neck at the top of your spine
Disc = intervertebral disc that is compressing on your spinal cord/nerves in the neck
Replacement = replacing diseased/degenerated disc material with a metal or plastic cage.
A cervical disc replacement, also called artificial disc replacement (ADR), is a procedure that removes your degenerated disc and replaces this area with a biomechanical device that is designed to maintain/preserve mobility in your neck. This is similar to a hip or knee replacement which are designed to restore natural joint mobility.
Cervical Disc Replacement
What can I expect after surgery?
After surgery you will be transferred to the recovery room, also called the PACU (post anesthesia care unit). After you have awaken from the anesthesia, you will then be transferred to your hospital room. This is typically when your family members can visit you.
Either the same day or the following morning after surgery, a physical and/or occupational therapist will begin your therapy. During your hospital stay, you will be given medications to help with pain and IV antibiotics to minimize the risk of infection. Most patients spend 1-2 nights in the hospital and are discharged home after:
You are tolerating a diet
Your pain is controlled
After you have worked with and passed physical therapy.
Walking after surgery is highly encouraged, even the same day of surgery!
What kind of recovery can I expect after surgery?
Recovery from a cervical artificial disc replacement surgery takes 8-12 weeks, but patients continue to heal for up to a year after surgery.
When can I return to work and/or activities?
Walking is highly encouraged, immediately after surgery and throughout your post operative period. Most patients can return to a light desk job or household activities by 2-3 weeks after surgery. Patients with jobs that require heavy lifting or strenuous labor will not be allowed to return until Dr. Wilson ensures your implant is stable and growing into the bones solidly. In addition, activities such as biking, skiing, or running will not be allowed until Dr. Wilson ensures your implants have grown into place.
When will my neck or arm pain go away?
If you can imagine putting your elbow on a hard surface for a long time, what happens? Your fingers start to go to sleep. Why? Because the nerves to these fingers is compressed, is asleep, and is irritable. Once you realize this, you pick up your elbow (to remove the pressure off the nerve) and shake your fingers until they wake up.This is a similar concept in spine surgery where depending on how long your nerves and spinal cord have been compressed, will determine how long it takes for the nerve to wake up after the surgery. If you have had compression of your nerves and spinal cord for months to years, then it may take some time before the nerve recovers and wakes up (if it recovers at all). Most patients, however wake up from surgery with arm pain relief meaning that the debilitating arm pain they had before surgery has went away, but may have some neck pain and spasms from the surgical incision itself. This pain will be controlled with oral/IV pain medications and antispasm medications throughout your hospital stay.
What complications should I be aware of?
Inadequate relief of symptoms
Dr. Wilson is very particular about making sure we target the right level of your spine that may be causing your symptoms.
Inadequate relief of symptoms after surgery could be due to a number of things including: multiple levels that are degenerated or worn out that will not be addressed in surgery, surgery done on the wrong level, or advanced and severe spinal cord compression that may be irreversible.
Injections are confirmatory and are very predictive of how well you will do with surgery. These spinal injections, usually done before surgery in the conservative treatment period, are essential in determining which level of your spine is the cause of your symptoms.
Just because you have multiple degenerated areas of your spine according to your imaging studies (MRI, X-ray, etc.), does not mean every level needs an operation.
Nerve damage, causing speech or swallowing issues
There are small nerves that control your larynx (voice box) that reside very close to the surgical site.
Dr. Wilson carefully works around these nerves and ensures they are not damaged during surgery.
If they become irritated by surgery, your voice may be hoarse for weeks to months after surgery until the nerve recovers.
Some patients may also have a sore throat from the endotracheal (breathing tube) placed during surgery or from the retraction of the esophagus and windpipe during surgery. This tends to get better after surgery.
Dural tear
The dura is the outer layer of the spinal cord. Sometimes, this layer can be especially thin in certain patients and very friable. During surgery, if there is a small tear in this layer, Dr. Wilson will attempt to repair it. This is a not a very common complication, but definitely one that needs to be known.
Sometimes after a dural tear is repaired, Dr. Wilson may ask that you sit upright for 24 hours after surgery. This is done to give the repair time to heal and to ensure his repair does not come apart.
Fortunately, multiple studies have shown that having a dural tear repair does not affect your outcome from surgery.
Infection
Very low risk (<1%) but this risk is increased if you are overweight, immunosuppressed, on chronic steroids, or diabetic.
Antibiotics will be given before surgery starts and also given for 24 hours after surgery while you are in the hospital to decrease the risk of infection.
Bleeding
Very low risk, but increased if you are taking blood thinners, fish oil, herbal medications or have a clotting disorder.
These medications will need to be stopped before surgery.
Sometimes, a special tube called a drain will be placed during surgery. This tube is to collect any blood or fluids that can collect after surgery. This drain will be removed before you leave the hospital, usually the next day after surgery.
Spinal cord or Nerve damage
Very low risk
A neuromonitoring technician is a professional trained in the monitoring of your nerves and spinal cord.
This person (along with a Neurologist) is part of the team that will be taking care of you during surgery and will help Dr. Wilson monitor your nerves and spinal cord throughout the procedure.
You will be able to meet this person the morning of surgery and ask any questions about their role in your care.
Generally, after you are asleep from anesthesia, this technician will place small wires on your legs and arms so that the nerves and spinal cord and be monitored during surgery.