After the operation | Surgery of a slipped disc of the cervical spine

After the operation

Depending on how long the hospital stay is and whether rehabilitation follows, the duration of the illness after the operation varies. Overall, a recovery period of about 3 to 6 weeks should be expected. A rehabilitation measure (REHA) is not absolutely necessary after the inpatient stay in hospital, but can follow.

This can be done as an inpatient or outpatient from home. If there are no neurological deficits, rehabilitation is not absolutely necessary. The goals of the rehabilitation measure are, among other things, pain relief, muscular stabilization of the operated segment, building and strengthening of the back muscles including back school and demonstration of special back exercises.

Furthermore, a rehab should inform the patients about the disease, how to cope with everyday life and the prognosis of the disease. Professional reintegration and counselling can also be topics. In addition to rehab, physiotherapeutic treatment can be started a few weeks after surgery.

In addition, a therapy with pain medication can be useful. Depending on the surgical technique and the hospital, it may also be necessary to wear a neck brace to stabilize the spine for a few weeks after the operation. In the case of advanced symptoms, surgery unfortunately cannot guarantee that the symptoms will completely recede, but an improvement in the symptoms may occur.