Are You Tired Of Always Being In Pain?
Some patients opt for surgery after months or even years of neck pain. These cases are often linked to a herniated or damaged disc in the cervical spine. The spine contains discs that help with shock absorption and stability. Sometimes, these discs shift out of place, causing chronic pain. A cervical disc replacement reduces pain and stabilizes the neck. For surgeries of this nature, preparing the body in advance could be a game-changer.
What happens during a cervical disc replacement?
The goal of cervical disc replacement is to remove the diseased disc and stabilize the spine. The surgeon will use minimally invasive means to access the disc, meaning 2-3 small incisions. Small tools remove the damaged disc, and a bone graft and spacer are installed. Metal plates hold the spine in place so the bones can heal and fuse. All surgeries take a physical toll on the body. A diet and exercise program beforehand is one of the best ways to maximize the success of a disc replacement.
Diet gets you prepped for surgery
During surgery, the body will go through some trauma. Healthy diets store vital nutrients to help with the upcoming stress. Eat healthy proteins like fish, lean chicken, eggs, tofu, and nuts. A healthy immune system prevents infection during surgery which can happen. Healthy fats, fruits, and leafy vegetables contain the vitamins and minerals that can boost the immune system.
What you don’t eat matters too
Some foods can cause more harm than good before surgery. Inflammation can severely impact the speed of healing and affects the immune system. The typical American diet contains excess salt, sugar, refined carbohydrates, which all cause inflammation. Reduce or remove these foods as much as possible. Some foods also affect blood clotting, like green tea, garlic, cayenne pepper, and tomatoes. Speak with a doctor for the best diet to support the disc replacement.
Strengthen your body with exercise
Physical fitness can improve overall health and wellness. The spine would require strong surrounding muscles both before and after surgery. An exercise regimen that gradually increases intensity protects nerves, muscles and improves success rates. A healthier body also decreases recovery time. A physical therapist can assign a range of exercises specific to the neck to prepare for surgery.
Here are some more preparation tips
The spinal surgeon will also provide specific instructions for a successful procedure. For instance, the doctor will ask patients to stop taking OTC drugs, blood thinners, supplements, smoking, and excess alcohol use. Fasting at least 12 hours before surgery is recommended. Even with diet, exercise, and preparation, there are surgical risks. Discuss these risks with the surgeon for more clarity.
The best chances of success
Before surgery, a healthy diet and regular exercise can do wonders for the body. With diet, focus on boosting immunity to protect from any potential infection. Foods rich in protein, calcium, and vitamin D will also help muscle and bone repair. A specific exercise regimen beforehand strengthens bones and muscles, improving the success rate of surgery. The best chances of success come with preparation. Follow the doctor’s recommendations in the weeks leading up to disc replacement.
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“No severe pain – Just a little discomfort – I was asked several times during procedure if I was OK – they showed genuine concern for my well being.”
“NO wait time, RN Rebecca answered all questions prior to my visit by phone and again answered all questions and concerns while prepping me.”
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“Rebecca was amazing. I have always had trouble in the past with getting an IV started. I told Rebecca I was concerned about it. She got it on the 1st try – no digging in my arm and NO bruising the next day.”
“Efficiency of the staff. Courteous, friendly and caring attitude. Excellent office staff. Pleasant surroundings.”
“Dr. Tupper was amazing! He spent time explaining exactly what he was doing, what I would experience and made sure I was comfortable.”
“Dr. Dedhia made everything clear and even scheduled an early follow-up appt so I could get back to work sooner.”
“I can’t say enough about Marcia and the entire team. The care I received was well beyond anything I could have expected.”
“Marcia and staff were excellent and genuinely cared for my well being. Wish I could have taken them home.”
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“Amazing nurses, very caring and friendly and put both me and my son at ease.”
“Experience was amazing. The nurses my son needed at this time couldn’t have been chosen any more perfect. They were supportive and understanding, patient and just great human beings.THANK YOU KINDLY ”
“The nurses were very nice and caring!”
“Dr. Best…is the best!”
“I liked that it was so clean. Every staff member was pleasant and easy to talk with.”
“Anesthesia staff was outstanding!”
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