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HomeSummaryReview of the conditionConsidering surgeryPreparing for surgeryAbout the procedureRecovering from surgeryPain and pain management Use of medications Important side effects Hospital stay RehabilitationConclusion

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Cervical Disc Replacement or Fusion? Surgery for arm and neck pain, numbness, tingling and weakness from neck arthritis, disc herniation (slipped disc) and radiculopathy

Last updated Tuesday, June 09, 2009

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Recovering from surgery

Pain and pain management

Shortly after the patient awakens from surgery, the patient is given a PCA (patient-controlled analgesia) machine. This is a button that allows the patient to self-administer pain medicine through the IV. The pain medicine most commonly used is akin to morphine. This is usually discontinued the next day, and the patient is given oral pain medications.

Use of medications

Initially pain medication usually is administered intravenously or intramuscularly. Sometimes patient controlled analgesia (PCA) is used to allow the patient to administer the medication as needed. Hydrocodone or Tylenol with codeine are taken by mouth. Intravenous pain medications are usually needed only for the first day. Oral pain medications are usually needed only for the first two weeks after the procedure.

Important side effects

Pain medications can cause drowsiness, slowness of breathing, difficulties in emptying the bladder and bowel, nausea, vomiting and allergic reactions. Patients who have taken substantial narcotic medications in the recent past may find that usual doses of pain medication are less effective. For some patients, balancing the benefit and the side effects of pain medication is challenging. Patients should notify their surgeon if they have had previous difficulties with pain medication or pain control.

Hospital stay

After surgery, the patient usually spends an hour or two in the recovery room. The patient then goes to the hospital floor overnight. The next day, the drain is removed and the patient is switched to oral pain medication. Patients are commonly discharged the day after surgery, but occasionally remain in the hospital for an additional day.

Surgery for Cervical Radiculopathy at the University of Washington, Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, Seattle, Washington

If you are interested in making an appointment to discuss this procedure in Seattle, you can request an appointment using our online referrals website. To request a referral online, please click here. You can also call 206-598-4288 to make an appointment. Our clinical center is located in Seattle Washington, USA

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