Studies say that almost 70% of people experience pain in their lower back at some point in their lives. While most of the cases do not warrant surgery, in some cases it becomes a necessity. A person becomes a candidate for spine replacement surgery when they suffer from chronic pain caused by arthritic intervertebral lumbar spine discs and hasn’t been diagnosed with scoliosis, bony compression, facet joint disease, or osteoporosis. Their pain doesn’t subside after conservative and exhaustive non-surgical treatments.
Spine replacement, also known as artificial disk replacement, is a procedure where the damaged intervertebral disc is replaced with an artificial disc to preserve the natural spinal movement. These advanced disc prostheses allow pain-free spinal movement with an ability to bear pressure, shear, and rotation.
How to Get Back on Your Feet Faster after a Spine Replacement Surgery?
This surgical procedure takes 2-3 hours and the patient is required to stay in the hospital for 1-3 days where the specialists can monitor and supervise the mobility levels and extent of pain. What also matters, of course, is the quality of the artificial disc, the primary medical device, used in the procedure. With Gesco’s premium and high-precision spinal instruments such as the C-Disc, every patient can be assured of exceptional post-surgical outcomes.
As is the case with any type of surgical procedure, the recovery period and experience is subjective to every patient and depends on the state of preoperative health and complexity of the surgery. Many patients experience pain at the site of the incision where the spinal implants are inserted and notice a change in their pre-operative symptoms.
This is how post-operative care is managed after spine replacement surgery:
Spine Replacement Post-Operative Care at the Hospital
The main aim of the doctor and the nursing staff is to keep the patient rested and manage their pain.
- Once the patient exits the PACU their blood pressure, pulse, and temperature, circulation, and neurological status are monitored by the nursing staff.
- The patient continues to receive oxygen and IV fluids.
- The patient may be given local anaesthetics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, or other pain medications to reduce pain and discomfort.
- They are encouraged to cough and deep breathe to keep their lungs clear. This is followed by training on the usage of a spirometer.
- In case the patient requires intense monitoring, they will be shifted to the ICU where they continue their recovery process.
Spine Replacement Post-Operative Care at home
Post-operative home care after the spinal replacement surgery is focused on easing the patient into daily living activities, pain management, and rehabilitation.
- Proper pain management at the site of the spinal instrument insertion at home helps in recovery both physically and emotionally. This is done through anti-inflammatory drugs and the use of heat and ice therapy.
- Postural correction while walking and sleeping helps in minimising strain on the lower back.
- Installing a post-rehabilitative plan that involves exercising and stretching. This increase circulation, relaxes the joints and makes the patient feel positive.
- Being in regular touch with the doctor to enable monitoring for medical device failure and complications.
- Using external spinal implants such as back braces that minimise friction and fatigue.
While post-operative care at the hospital and home depends on several factors, Gesco ensures that with our superior quality spinal instruments, we help minimise complications such as wear debris, osteolysis, and the chance of host inflammatory immune reaction. All our devices are created with biomaterials that ensure resistance to mechanical stress, durability, and most importantly bio-compatibility with the patient’s body.
Contact us today to know more about our new generation spinal disc prostheses and how they lend stability and safety to spinal replacement surgeries and give the patients longer-term results.
