ACDF surgery is the most common method among spine surgeons for treating a cervical herniated disc. In this surgery, the disc is removed through a small one-inch incision in the front of the neck. After removing the disc, the disc space itself is set up for the adjacent vertebrae to eventually grow together and fuse.
How long does it take to recover from a bulging disc surgery?
Most people return to work within about a week, and make a full recovery in about 6 weeks. To minimize your recovery time from any surgery, you should follow your doctor’s recommendations following surgery.
What is the success rate of bulging disc surgery?
According to one study, the success rate for a herniated lumbar disc surgery was 78.9% among 39,048 patients. This same study reported a 94% long-term success rate for patients undergoing herniated cervical disc surgery.
How serious is a bulging disc in the neck?
A bulging disc in your neck may be relatively painless. Or it can cause severe pain in your neck, as well as your shoulders, chest, and arms. It may also cause numbness or weakness in your arms or fingers. Sometimes, this pain and numbness may even cause you to think that you’re having a heart attack.
When should you consider neck surgery?
If cervical degeneration causes myelopathy (spinal cord dysfunction), radiculopathy (dysfunction of nerves to the neck or arms), neck pain, or abnormal neck motion, surgery may be necessary. The surgical goal is to reduce pain and restore spinal stability.
Is a bulging disc in neck serious?
How long does neck disc surgery take?
ACDF surgery can usually be done in 1 to 2 hours, but may take up to 3 or more hours. The time depends on how many discs will be removed, how badly the discs or vertebrae [VUR-tuh-brey] are diseased, and other factors. Your surgeon will give you a general idea about how long your surgery might last.
When does a bulging disc need surgery?
Your doctor might recommend surgery as an option for your herniated disc if: Your symptoms have lasted at least 6 weeks and make it hard to do your normal activities, and other treatments haven’t helped. You need to get better quickly because of your job or to get back to your other activities as soon as possible.
What can I expect after bulging disc surgery?
Herniated disc surgery is considered safe, but problems can develop. This could include infection, numbness, weakness and bleeding. Don’t ignore things like pain that gets worse, high fever and chills, bleeding, swelling or drainage from your incision. Be aware of any numbness or weakness in your legs.
What makes a bulging disc worse?
The pain from a herniated disc usually is worse when you are active and gets better when you are resting. Coughing, sneezing, sitting, driving, and bending forward may make the pain worse. The pain gets worse when you make these movements because there is more pressure on the nerve.
Can you become paralyzed from a bulging disc?
With a herniated disc, the capsule cracks or breaks, and the nucleus squeezes out. This can irritate the spinal cord or nearby nerves, causing weakness and numbness in the arms or legs. A severely herniated disc can cause paralysis.
What is the recovery time for cervical disk replacement surgery?
They can go back to work anywhere from 2-6 weeks after surgery, depending on what type of work they do. Read other parts of this interview: Cervical Artificial Disc Replacement Technology: An Overview. Cervical Artificial Disc Replacement vs. Spinal Fusion.
Does a bulging disc require surgery?
Surgery usually only becomes an option when the bulging disc does not heal and conservative treatment methods have been exhausted without offering relief. Common options include: Physical therapy — exercises to strengthen the neck muscles and to encourage behavioral adjustments.
What is the recovery time after cervical surgery?
The most common surgery for a herniated cervical disc is an anterior cervical discectomy. The surgeon removes all or part of the herniated disc and replaces it with a bone graft, usually from the patient’s hip. You’ll usually be released from the hospital within two days and should gradually increase your activity level.
How long does a bulging disc take to heal?
For some individuals it may take up to a year or two to completely recover from disc bulge while it may take far less time for another individual to recover from the same injury. This article gives a brief overview of how long does it take to heal from bulging disc and what are the factors that play a key role in the recovery process.
