I'm told that I will continue to wear a collar for 3 months. I'm curious what happens after taking it off?! I'm worried about muscle loss. How long does it take to regain? Is it just time or is physio a smart investment?

Good news, I'm feeling alot better since my surgery on the 16th of March

Dave

I had my ACDF on March 2nd, and I don't even get xrays until 8 weeks to find out if I get it off. I'm told I will be wearing it anywhere from 8 weeks to 5 months, depending on bone growth. I have the same concerns as you about muscle loss and strength from wearing my collar so long.

Please keep me posted as to what you find out about the physio, I want to have it, but not sure if my dr. will allow it right away, there is such a difference of opinion on the PT, some docs are for it and some against. I had a lot of physio before surgery, so I would think I would benefit afterwards to gain some of my strength back.

Glad you're feeling better... I'm just finally starting to feel a bit normal again. The only thing that still bothers me a lot is the darn muscle spasms (which are caused by the collars!)

Take care, Cathie

Hello Dave, its wonderful to hear you are feeling better! I know the collar is not the most comfy thing, but 3 months is about the norm, I had (C4-C7) surgery Feb/26/09 and wore the collar until May 31. Once it was off, my head felt weak, heavy, tight and my range of motion(ROM) was limited, (again all normal), but it felt really good to have it off, my neuro had me start physio in June where they started working on my ROM(looking up,down,left and right), posture stretches, ultra sound and laser therapy etc... Watching your posture is important, If you have benefits thur your employer see what it covers you for physio. Everyone heals differently so its hard to say how long it takes.

Take care, Bunz

I've had so much physio my benefits must be running low Oh well, I'll do whatever it takes to regain my strength. My return to work date has been set for June 22nd so I have lots of recovery time. I had planned to start walking, however if you can believe it we received 15cm of snow this morning and we could get an additional 15 (6") today!! Good news is; it's suppose to warm up to 10c (50f)

It means you can start chewing on your butt again. This is the pets/veterinary forum, right? No.... wait.... Oh.... nevermind.

Try not to put the cart before the horse, cross the river before you come to it, yadda, yadda.... As with being in a cast, your muscles are still making micro-adjustments, so any loss and time to regain will likely be less than you fear.
http://www.quora.com/Is-it-easier-to...uscle-mass-Why

Google: how long to regain muscle and similar keywords

Doc

Hi there,

I've been told I won't even be considered to return to work with modifications until September (6 months post op). June is only 3 months for you? That's going to be difficult, take it very slow. What type of work do you do? I'm a graphic designer, so my work requires me to sit at a desk for 8 hours and have my neck down.

I hope you have a job that allows you to vary your positions and baby your neck a bit. It shocks me how different doctor's recommend different courses of action and rehabilitation.

Oh please take care of your neck, it's a precious thing!
Cathie

Dr. Smith.... thank you for that link, very interesting, I have also read about our muscle memory, and have witnessed this from breaking my arm in the past. It's amazing how resilient our bodies are. I hope my muscles "remember" quickly after this darn neck (doggy) collar comes off!! No licking of the stitches... LOL... got it!!!
Take care, Cathie

Wow! 6 months. How many levels did you have operated on? I thought 8-12 weeks was sort of the norm for recovery. My surgeon isn't taking xrays until 12 weeks just prior to return to work

I had C5, C6, & C7 fused, but he was questioning whether to do C4 also. I'm told not to expect to see any fusion until the 6 month mark so that's when i will be allowed to return to work.

Not really complaining about it, since I'm getting benefits while I"m off, no use pushing myself and hurting myself worse. But I did question why it would be so long, and I was told for what my problem and injury was, 6 months was normal.

Every situation seems to be different, huh?

Hi all,
I'm confused, my husband is 4 1/2 weeks out of posterior cervical fusion. We just went to his first post op last week and his surgeon said he only had to wear his soft collar when he drove, the larger one came off after 2 weeks. The collar was bothering him the most, causing the sparms he speaks of and that I have read here. Since he doesn't wear the collar anymore those spasms really have supsided especially over the last couple of days. He really perked up over the weekend. Just wondering.

Good luck to all that are recovering. This was my husbands 3rd back surgery. He has had 2 lumbar in the past, the first was a mess the 2nd was a complete revision was a great success. My husband has spinal stenosis,I hope this is the last one. My heart truly goes out to all that have to endure these type of procedures.

Gabbycakes