Neck surgery at the C5-C6-C7 levels is a surgical procedure done on the lower part of the cervical spine to fix problems like spinal stenosis, herniated discs, or nerve compression. Common surgeries include Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion, posterior foraminotomy or laminectomy, which relieve pressure on nerves or the spinal cord from the back of the neck.
If your surgeon or doctor has advised you to undergo neck surgery, you may feel uncertain about it due to concerns about the recovery time. In this blog, we’ll help ease your worries by sharing what you should know about the recovery time for C5-C6-C7 neck surgery.
Average C5-C6-C7 Neck Surgery Recovery Timeline
Recovery after neck surgery can vary for everyone, but there are some typical stages to expect after surgery:
First Week Following Surgery
After your surgery, you might stay in the hospital for a couple of days for observation. Your medical team will take you to the recovery room or the intensive care unit. You might feel a little disoriented and uncertain of your surroundings when you wake up from the anesthesia. The doctors and nurses will be there to explain where you are. As the anesthesia begins to wear off, you might feel really tired, so they’ll encourage you to take it easy and rest.
Your healthcare team will likely request that you follow some simple instructions, such as “Wiggle your toes and fingers.” If your surgery included a back incision, you may be surprised to find that you are lying on your back when you wake up, but it is completely safe for the operated area to rest on your back.
Before your surgery, the staff will establish intravenous access through a tube placed in your arm to ensure you remain well-hydrated and to administer medications as necessary. During your anesthetic phase, a Foley catheter may be inserted into your bladder to facilitate the drainage of urine. This catheter serves two purposes: it allows nurses and physicians to assess the amount of urine you are producing and helps ensure that you do not have to get up to use the bathroom. Once you are up and around, they will remove the catheter, and you will be able to use the restroom as usual.
During your hospital stay, your surgical team and nursing staff will provide you with additional information about the activities you can do and guidelines for your diet. Eating properly is a crucial part of your recovery process. Depending upon your surgery, your surgeon may have specific guidelines for what you can eat and drink, or may even prescribe a special diet.
After your surgery, you’ll receive IV fluids as long as you can handle regular liquids. That usually means starting with small sips of fluids, such as water, clear juices, and clear broths. You can gradually transition to heavier liquids and eventually consume small quantities of solid foods, eventually returning to your regular diet.
On the days following surgery, your surgeon might advise you to move around and engage in physical activity. Physiotherapists and nurses will assist you with this until you are confident to move independently.
Depending on the extent of your surgery and your level of recovery, you may go home directly or to the rehabilitation unit in the hospital. The rehabilitation unit will provide you with the opportunity and support to build your physical strength and confidence before returning home.
Weeks 2 to 6: Your Recovery at Home
Before you leave, your surgical team will provide you with instructions. They will include a list of dos and don’ts to consider during the initial weeks at home. These instructions will also be discussed with you when your surgeon comes to visit you in the days leading up to your discharge. If you have questions about the instructions or need clarification on any aspect, please don’t hesitate to ask. Following the recommendations of your surgical team is a critical part of your recovery.
Depending on the procedure performed, your surgery may have involved more than one incision. So, when you go home, you may still have a dressing in place on the incision(s). You’ll receive guidance on how to care for your wound.
If you notice any signs of infection while changing the dressing, please inform your doctor. Look out for these signs:
- A fever
- The incision(s) opening up
- Pus draining from your incision(s)
- Warmth or redness around the incision(s)
If you feel chills, nausea, or vomiting, or if you’ve had any kind of trauma like a fall or car accident, reach out to your local doctor or your surgeon’s team.
Besides taking care of your incisions, make sure to:
- Drink lots of fluids
- Take a walk or practice deep breathing.
- Eat a diet rich in protein
- Gradually boost your physical exercise
Avoid bending, heavy lifting, or twisting. Also, keep lotion away from the incision area; it’s essential to keep the area dry until you’ve fully recovered.
2–3 Months: Getting Back to Your Usual Activities
Most people can return to their desk jobs, perform some light housework, and engage in other easy tasks within 8 to 12 weeks.
However, for the most part, you should avoid intensive physiotherapy until your wound has fully healed. If you still have neck pain months after your surgery, it might be helpful to have a physiotherapy assessment.
You should gradually increase your physical activity after surgery. That is really important for managing post-operative pain.
Whenever possible, try to walk more, gradually increasing your distance until you return to your normal level. Keep your legs and arms moving to boost blood circulation and stop stiffness or blood clots. Give yourself regular breaks, and pay attention to your body’s relaxation to determine what feels safe.
For the initial several weeks, please avoid:
- Lifting anything heavy
- Engaging in strenuous activities or intense sports, like mowing the lawn, running, digging, or playing football.
- Doing tasks that require a lot of pulling, pushing, or twisting and bending your back.
After neck surgery through the front of your neck, you might experience some relatively minor swallowing difficulties and slight voice changes. Usually, these issues improve within several days, but they may worsen slightly during the first few days. During this time, it’s best to stick to soft or pureed foods.
If you experience severe swallowing issues or start coughing after eating or drinking, please contact your nurse.
If your swallowing issues or voice changes worsen after the first several days, or if you experience trouble breathing, seek immediate evaluation in the emergency department.
After Six Months: Full Recovery
Achieving full recovery can take six months or even longer for many patients. During this period, you can expect to see ongoing improvements in strength, flexibility, and pain levels. Patients will require physical therapy to help them regain flexibility, strength, and mobility. Recovery times can differ significantly from person to person; some may return to work in just a few days, while others may take longer. Based on the surgery and the seriousness of the condition, recovery can span from one to six months or even more.
Surgeons generally advise against activities that put stress on the spine or neck, and some individuals may need to wear a neck collar during the early stages of recovery.
How to Speed Up Your Recovery
Recovery time after C5-C6-C7 neck surgery can differ for everyone, but you can take five steps to help speed up your healing process.
Focus On Eating a Balanced Diet That Includes Healthy Fats, Lean Proteins, and Complex Carbs
Your body will need to heal after surgery, so ensure it receives the right vitamins, nutrients, and minerals to support the recovery process.
If you think it might be challenging to obtain all the necessary nutrients from food alone, consider taking a multivitamin while recovering from your procedure. You shouldn’t drink alcohol or smoke before and after your surgery. Alcohol can really slow down nerve healing. If you’re suffering from diabetes, try to keep your blood sugar levels in check.
Don’t Forget To Care For Your Mental Well-Being
We’re always discovering new ways our body and brain work together. Recent studies have shown that mindful stress reduction can help alleviate postoperative discomfort and enhance joint function after surgery. Be prepared for the fact that you won’t be able to return to full activity immediately after your surgery, so have a mix of engaging and relaxing tasks ready for your recovery.
Observe Good Hygiene Around The Surgical Area
Your surgeon will provide you with specific instructions on how to care for it. If you don’t, infections could slow down your healing and might even lead to needing another operation in severe cases. To speed up your recovery, change your bandages regularly and keep the wound clean and dry. You can shower a few days after surgery, but remember to gently clean the area around the site with warm water and mild soap. After several days, you can take a shower, but avoid soaking in a bath.
Avoid lying down for too long. You can relax in any position that feels comfortable to you. It’s completely normal to rest in bed for short stretches, especially during the first several days after surgery. Just try not to spend too much time lying down during the day.
To get out of bed, try rolling onto your side first. You might find it less challenging to:
- Turn over on whichever side you’re most comfortable
- Bend your knee and hips
- Turn your legs to the left or right
- Push yourself up using your hands
In the coming weeks, you’ll be able to get up normally.
Make sure you get enough exercise. In the days following your surgery, maintaining a comfortable position for your spine will help it heal more quickly. Nevertheless, your neck will recover better if they stay strong and flexible. When your physical therapist gives you the go-ahead, do your exercises as recommended. These exercises can improve your neck movement and overall function.
Pick a Skilled Neck Surgeon
An experienced surgeon can significantly impact your recovery time after a neck surgery. Studies indicate that a surgeon's experience and the number of procedures they perform have a significant impact on patient outcomes. If you’re planning to undergo neck surgery, the most important part of your preparation will be choosing an experienced surgeon who regularly performs these procedures and selecting a hospital that specializes in musculoskeletal surgeries. This experience will contribute to the development of more effective techniques, ultimately leading to improved outcomes. Surgeons who have performed more neck surgeries tend to be more efficient and precise in their surgical completion, resulting in decreased tissue trauma and complications. In short, a well-executed surgery can speed up your recovery.
Taking Care of Your Wound at Home To Improve Chances of a Full Recovery
You should keep your wound dry until it’s fully healed. Your surgeon will cover the area with a tiny, waterproof dressing. After forty-eight hours, gently remove the dressing to check the wound and use the dressings your nurse provided. If you didn’t get any, just ask your nurse for some.
Your surgical team should provide you with a Wound Information Leaflet about taking care of your wound. If you haven't received one, please ask your nurse for assistance.
Your stitches are likely absorbable, so you won’t need to have them removed. But if that’s not the case, your hospital discharge letter will have instructions on what to do. Typically, you can schedule an appointment with your nurse to get the stitches taken out about two weeks after your surgical procedure.
Sometimes, a small amount of fluid can accumulate under the skin where the surgery happened, causing a slight bump. Don’t worry; this usually resolves in the weeks following surgery as your body absorbs the fluid.
If you notice a clear, watery fluid leaking from your wound and start to experience a headache or fever, head to the emergency department immediately for evaluation.
Managing Pain During Recovery
After your surgery, you may experience some neck pain, especially if the procedure was performed on the back of the neck. Sometimes, you might also feel discomfort in your shoulders. This pain can be pretty intense during the first several weeks. If the surgeon performs the procedure from the front of the neck, the pain is usually mild to moderately severe.
Initially, the pain may worsen slightly, but you should start to feel better within the next 6 to 8 weeks. By 12 weeks post-surgery, you should notice a big improvement. Taking simple pain relievers like paracetamol or ibuprofen can help; just make sure to follow the instructions on the package. Staying active, like going for walks, is important. Even though it might make the pain a little worse, keeping active can actually help you recover faster from post-surgery pain.
If you have severe neck pain, especially if you didn’t have any before, or if your pain is getting worse, reach out to your doctor.
If you notice any new numbness or weakness in your legs or arms, or if you experience new issues with your bowel or bladder, go to the emergency department immediately for an assessment.
Following Up With Your Surgeon
After your surgery, your surgeon will schedule a follow-up appointment for you. That usually takes place about three months post-surgery, giving you enough time to recuperate and allowing for a proper evaluation of your symptoms. You’ll meet either in person or over the phone with your nurse or a member of your surgical team. They will inform you if any X-rays or other diagnostic tests are necessary before this session.
What is Life Like After C5-C6-C7 Neck Surgery?
The primary goals of neck surgery are to alleviate arm and neck pain and to mitigate symptoms such as tingling, numbness, or arm weakness. In the long run, you can start enjoying activities you once loved with little to no pain. After the surgery, many people lead active and fulfilling lives, free from significant pain, and regain the majority or all of their previous functionality.
What Affects Recovery Time?
Recovery from neck surgery is largely determined by how quickly your body recovers and adjusts to the procedure. Recovery times can differ, but the quicker your body mends, the sooner you’ll feel better. Staying hydrated and eating well provides your tissues with the essential nutrients they need to get you back to your best health. It’s also important to avoid habits that can slow down your recovery, like smoking or putting extra strain on your neck. Taking care of yourself is key to how fast you recover. The more you nurture your body, the quicker it will heal.
What Are the Risks of Neck Surgery?
Like any other medical procedure, neck surgery carries risks. Your surgeon will discuss these risks with you before the procedure, including, but not limited to, the following:
- Bleeding, or a hematoma, at the surgical site
- Damage to the spinal cord or nerves
- Surgical site infection
- C5 palsy resulting in arm weakness
- Cerebrospinal fluid leak
- Persistent pain and stiffness
- Disc degeneration adjacent to the surgical site
- Loose or displaced screws/plates
The surgery may not eliminate all your pain, and you may need surgery again in the future.
Find a Neck Surgeon Near Me
Healing from neck surgery takes time, patience, and good support. Most people will see a substantial improvement over the course of 2-3 months, but it may be longer or shorter depending on the procedure you underwent. You will need to be patient and give your body time to heal.
If you’re seeking additional guidance on your recovery process, please don't hesitate to contact us to schedule a consultation. At LAMIS (Los Angeles Minimally Invasive Spine) Institute, we will help you understand your situation and explore your options, while also supporting you throughout the recovery process after neck surgery. Call us today at 310-734-6088.
