Posterior Cervical Fusion Newport Beach & Orange County, CA

Robert Louis, MD specializes in Posterior Cervical Instrumental Fusion in Orange County

Posterior Cervical Fusion Newport Beach & Orange County, CARobert Louis, MD, your Orange County Neurosurgeon, performs Posterior Cervical Fusion (PCF) to treat patients suffering from cervical fractures or instability and other spinal conditions, such as tumors, infections, and deformity. It may also be performed together with multi-level anterior cervical surgery.

Benefits of Posterior Cervical Fusion

  • Spine stabilization
  • Reduction in pain
  • Reduction in continuing spine degeneration
  • Improves quality of life

Posterior Cervical Fusion Procedure

Pre-Fusion Procedure

Your physician will review your condition and explain all of your treatment options, including medications, physical therapy, and other surgeries such as the removal of the diseased disc, fusion, etc. You will be required to fast the evening before surgery and you may need to stop taking some medications in advance of the procedure. These medications may include aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, as well as blood thinners. Additionally, all nutritional supplements need to be stopped at least one month prior to surgery. Before your surgery, you will meet with a spine surgeon to review the surgery, and the area of the cervical spine being operated on, and sign consent forms. He or she will discuss the potential risks and benefits of the procedure and this is a good time to ask questions. You may be measured for a cervical collar or brace prior to surgery. Your surgeon may also schedule you for a pre-surgical medical evaluation.

Fusion Procedure

PCF is a surgical procedure that fuses two or more cervical spine bones together along the sides of the bone using a posterior incision. Bone graft or bone graft substitute is placed along the sides of the spine bones, which over time, fuses together. PCF may be performed with or without a posterior decompression (Posterior Cervical Laminectomy in Newport Beach) and/or instrumentation (use of metal screws or rods), which contributes to stability, especially with multi-level fusions and increases the success rate of fusion.

Post-Operative Care

Most patients are able to go home 3-5 days after surgery. Before patients go home, physical therapists and occupational therapists work with patients and instruct them on proper techniques for getting in and out of bed and walking independently. Patients are instructed to avoid excessive bending and twisting of the neck in the acute postoperative period (first 1-2 months). Patients can gradually begin to bend and twist their necks after 2-3 months after the fusion solidifies and the pain subsides. Patients are also instructed to avoid heavy lifting in the postoperative period (first 2-4 months).

Brace

Most patients are required to wear a neck brace post-surgery to reduce the pain and stress on the neck area and help improve bone healing.

Wound Care

The wound area should remain covered with a gauze bandage secured in place with tape. The area should be kept clean and dry. The bandage should generally be changed every 1-2 days, especially after showering.

Showering/Bathing

Patients can shower immediately after surgery, but should keep the incision area covered and dry, avoiding the water from hitting the wound. The bandage should be changed every 2-3 days. Patients should wait about 2 weeks when the wound has healed before soaking in a tub.

Driving

Patients may resume driving about 2-3 weeks after the surgery when the pain has decreased and when the neck range of motion has improved. Patients should not drive while still taking pain medications. The patient must be accompanied when driving in case the pain is felt and they need help driving back home.

Return to Work and Sports

Patients may return to light work duties around 2-4 weeks after the PCF procedure. Patients may return to a moderate level of work and light sports activities about 3 months after the surgery when the pain has subsided and the neck strength and mobility have stabilized with physical therapy. Patients who have undergone single-level cervical fusion may return to heavy work and sports activities once the surgical pain has subsided and the neck strength and mobility have stabilized after physical therapy. Patients who have undergone multi-level cervical fusion are recommended longer rest and advised to avoid high-impact sports and heavy work.

Doctor’s Visits and Follow-Up

Patients will return for a follow-up visit to see Dr. Louis about 12-14 days after the PCF procedure. Medications will be refilled if necessary. During the follow-up visit, Dr. Louis will check the incision and the stitches or staples will be removed and an X-ray will be taken to check if the fusion area is stable and if it’s healing properly. Patients will be asked to return for more follow-up visits about 4-6 weeks after the initial follow-up visit. Around 8-12 weeks after surgery, the patient will be given a prescription to begin physical therapy to help improve the range of motion.

For more information on Posterior Cervical Fusion with Instrumentation or to request an appointment with Dr. Louis, please call (949) 383-4185 or Contact Us.