If you undergo a spinal fusion to stabilize the craniocervical junction, you’ll be in the hospital for a few days. Our team will carefully observe you to make sure you don’t have complications. Our rehabilitation specialists will also evaluate you.
When recovering from a fusion, you may need physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy or a combination of all three. This will help you heal and regain abilities, such as swallowing, after surgery.
After you leave the hospital, you’ll attend outpatient physical therapy sessions for about six weeks. These sessions will teach you proper form and mechanics to help you heal and protect your head and neck.
Follow-up visits with your care team at the UK HealthCare Comprehensive Spine Center will help ensure you are healing correctly after surgery.
You’ll also be advised about what you can and can’t do as you recover. This includes not lifting anything heavier than 15 pounds for at least six weeks. After follow-up, you can usually resume normal activities.
Whether or not surgery was part of your treatment, you’ll want to avoid reinjury. Avoid making sudden movements or twisting the head and neck, use proper posture and ergonomics, and always wear a seatbelt.