5 Recovery Exercises After Neck Surgery (Fusion, Laminectomy, Discectomy) | Aleks Physio
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- Опубликовано: 28 сен 2024
- Hi everyone,
In this video, I go over 5 exercises that one can perform following neck surgery, which can include fusion (ACDF and PCDF), discectomy, laminectomy or a combination thereof.
These exercises are not evidence-based, just some exercises that we would go over with our patients at the hospital following their surgery (There are more than this, but for simplicity sake, we will stick to these 5).
The premise behind these exercises is to. meant to try and improve mobility post surgery, control and possibly decrease pain, decrease stiffness and improve overall recovery.
For surgeries such as fusions, it would be quite difficult to improve range of motion as the joints are fused (depending at what level and how many levels are fused), however, these exercises can still be incorporated as part of an overall post-surgical rehab and also rehabilitation tool to help with recovery following surgery.
Exercises
1) Shoulder Shrugs - Ears to shoulder with your arms at your sides.
2) Shoulder Circles - Move shoulders in a clockwise and counterclockwise position as you bring the blades up, back down and forward).
3) Isometric Neck Flexion - Push your head into your palm as you try to bring your head down and as your hand tries to push you in the opposite direction. Meet the resistance. No movement should be occurring.
4) Isometric Neck Extension - Push your head into your palm as you try to extend your head back. No movement should be occurring. Hold.
5) Chin Tucks - Think of your chin as a drawer. Try to close the drawer and tilt your chin down. Use your finger for external cueing to guide you in the appropriate direction.
For these exercises, try to aim for 5-10 repetitions with 2-3 sets for each exercise and 1-2x/day. Work within your tolerance and range of motion. It's important to follow your surgeons protocol regarding what to do/not to do as well as your physiotherapist's recommendations.
Depending on the type of surgery, you may be required to wear a collar following surgery for a few weeks. Ask your surgeon about any other post-operative considerations.
Remember, this is not medical advice. General education only. Talk to your surgeon and Physio about specific exercises, protocols and restrictions.
I don’t own the rights to any of these photos.
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Aleks Physio
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I am 5 weeks post-op ACDF 4/5 5/6. The shoulder pain and muscle tightness are no joke. Thankfully I started PT last week. Thank you so much for sharing this video.
No problem! Thank you for your kind words 🙂 hang in there and hoping for a healthy and speedy recovery! Keep me posted on the progress. -Aleks
Thanks for this video. I'm also recovering from ACDF surgery and this was very helpful!
Thank you for your kind words Mel! Hoping for a speedy and healthy recover. Regards, Aleks
Great video with some added stuff to help heal and keep motion going. Thanks
Happy to help! Thanks for your comment. Regard, Aleks
It helped so much thx for sharing
Thanks for your kind words Verlie! Wishing you a speedy and successful recovery! -Aleks
Nice video
Thanks for your kind words! -Aleks
I wish I had found this video in Decemeber. I had surgery Nov. '23 acdf c4-5 & 5-6, and I'm struggling 7 months later. Possible issues with another herniated disc below that. Thank you for posting.
Unfortunately, sometimes with a fusion, there is a possibility of a condition called adjacent segment disease. This is when the levels above and below can experience an increase in degenerative changes due to taking up the slack, for lack of better term, as a result of the fusion that had occurred (since now there is no longer any movement occurring at the fused level). Follow up with your surgeon and/or Physio to help with your recovery. -Aleks
I am 4 weeks shoulder stifness,and it is little hard to rise my arms
It should improve with time as you continue to progress along the phases of healing. Follow up with your surgeon as needed. Keep me posted. -Aleks
Hi, how soon after surgery should I start these exercises? I'm 2 weeks post no collar... Thank you
Hi, when I was working on the inpatient spine floor, we generally performed these exercises just before the patients were discharged (a few days after) with the gentle range of motion exercises and isometrics early and then with clearance by the surgeon, you would progress to exercises without the collar (if required to wear one) involving range of motion of the neck. The Physios should give you a booklet to work on some of these exercises. Not medical advice. See your surgeon and GP to ensure you’re cleared and appropriate and no restrictions! Have a speedy recovery. -Aleks
Yeh, I got a leaflet with the 'yes' 'no' exercises when I was discharged, but yours will take me a little further, especially the chin tucks for my posture, many thanks for the quick reply and sound advice... Mick
Happy to help. See a PT for more personalized approach and maybe including some other techniques and interventions to help from a pain control and mobility perspective. Keep me posted on the recovery. -Aleks
Once my neck collar came off, my surgeon authorized physical therapy. But I called around and there are no openings for at least three weeks. Your exercises look very much like what my surgeon mentioned in passing, and gives me therapy I can start at home before I can get a PT appointment. Thanks.
Happy to help. I worked with patients like yourself after elective neck surgery and these were the exercises we would provide. Of course not medical advice and please follow up as needed! Hoping for a streamlined recovery. -Cheers, Aleks
Thank you so much. Love the video. Just had a C4-C5, C5-C6 Fusion and will not go to therapy until I have a lower back surgery next month. I am doing great expect my shoulders and arms do bother me a bit and I need exercises to strengthen these areas. Your presentation is just perfect. Thank you so much for taking the time to do it for us!
Thank you for your kind words. Made my day! All the best in your recovery and good luck with surgery next month! Regards, Aleks
Hi, I am a support worker, my client has neck infusion operation, it is 3 months since the operations, his neck completely stiff, physiotherapist said nothing to do!!!, I am trying with him to do yes and circle shoulder exercises. Note, he has full sensation, moving his arms and legs, I am now doing settings balance exercises to prepare him for walking. My target in 6 months put him on his leg again
i had a cervical discectomy today. this was so helpful on what to do in the upcoming weeks. Thank you 😊 also can you do a video on how to sleep after having a discectomy? tysm
Hello, thanks for your feedback! Generally, there isn’t a specific position that’s superior than others for sleeping. It is generally based on what’s most comfortable for you. Some surgeons may require a collar to be worn, but in the case of a discectomy this would likely not be the case. Sleeping on your stomach would probably not be very comfortable based on the position of your neck in the early stages, especially as the surgical incision and tissues are still so early in the healing stages. So likely sleeping on your back and side would be most appropriate in this case, or even in a recliner chair for the first few days based on how painful or provocative it is following the surgery! As always, this isn’t medical advice and best to chat with your Physio or surgeon regarding some of the specifics as it pertains to your case as there may be something that I’m not aware of. Hoping for a successful recovery and all the best. - Cheers, Aleks
@@aleks_physio ty for responding! this was helpful ❤️
Happy to help! 🙂
My top screws came out of my c3. My surgery was March 13th 2024. I was in the collar longer than most. The backing out of the screws have not caused a problem so far. I am in trial run of PT and depending if my head droops or I get any new symptoms of mobility issues they didn't rule out that they might have to go back in to correct the issue. I have some mobility but lifting my head up to shave my neck is an issue. Only been in pt for 2 weeks (4 sessions) plus what I do at home. Do you know of any cases similar to mine where the screws came out and if so what the results were like with gaining their mobility. I am expecting issues but I am also trying to he hopeful. I am a welder and love what I do. I would like to get back to work. Sorry for the extended post. If you have some feedback would love to hear your opinion.
Hi Craig, I am assuming you mean that the screws are loose? I do know of cases where the screws can become loose and other parts of hardware that fail, in which, depending on the severity of the failure or the degree of symptoms or instability (if any) are present, can dictate what further interventions are warranted, if any. As long as you are being followed up with your surgeon in which they would likely do X-rays to see how it’s healing then they may or may not decide to do anything about it. In the interim, understand that most movement occurs in the joints above (C0-1 and C1-2). However, depending on the type of surgery and how many levels and for what reason, being mindful for pain will be important with regular check ups. Follow your surgeons advice and monitor accordingly. Hoping for a speedy recovery! Hope this helps. Cheers, Aleks
@aleks_physio unfortunately I mean they have came completely out. Not in the vertebrae at all. I have been doing everything I have been told by my surgeon and PT. Praying and hoping for the best results possible. I have another follow up with my surgeon August 22nd. Hoping by them some significant improvements. Have had very little so far but only been 2 weeks. Appreciate your response. Thank you 😊
Keep me posted! -Aleks
@aleks_physio will do sir
Wow, I hope everything works out for you, I just had surgery on July 26th...the thoughts of having to go back in would be worrying but I would insist they go back in to rectify the 2 screws as after time you could have more issues and the original surgery may not have been successful without the screws being in place...wishing you the best of luck!