Disc replacement is a relatively common and safe procedure to relieve the pain caused by a damaged disc. It is the surgical process that involves the removal of your natural damaged disc and placement of an artificial disc that functions like the natural disc.
Taking care of your artificial disc is a key to getting back to your routine activities faster and enjoying the benefits of the artificial disc for years. You must consider several factors if you are considering artificial disc replacement surgery .
Let’s talk about some tips you can follow to take care of your artificial disc to reap the greatest benefits of it and where you can go in Colorado for outstanding artificial disc replacement surgery.
#1 Prevent Infection of Disc
The artificial disc infection is a surgical complication of artificial disc replacement surgery. The infection can occur on or around your disc if you don’t follow your post-operative care regimen properly.
In order to prevent infection of the artificial disc, you must keep the incision site clean and take prescribed antibiotics regularly for a prescribed period.
#2 Limit Your Physical Activities
It’s no denying that an artificial disc can significantly reduce your pre-op pain and discomfort and help you resume your daily activities by restoring your spinal motion and flexibility, but you cannot do all your activities after the surgery the way you used to do. This is because certain physical activities that put pressure on your spine can cause the artificial disc to slip from its original position (disc migration).
This is why, following your disc replacement surgery, you are advised to avoid work until complete healing if you do a physically demanding job. Even after recovery, some patients are advised to avoid work or activities that involve frequent bending or twisting of the spine.
#3 Modify Your Lifestyle
After your artificial disc replacement surgery, make some changes in your lifestyle to enjoy the long-term benefits of your artificial disc. You can take care of your artificial disc by quitting smoking, avoiding excess alcohol, drinking plenty of water, and maintaining your weight in a healthy range.
#4 Stick to Your Physical Therapy Plan
Physical therapy is vital to help you recover from the surgery and increase your strength and flexibility so that you can do your activities safely and easily after the surgery.
Your physical therapy plan also focuses on improving your posture following your artificial disc replacement surgery. You can learn lifting and bending techniques from your physical therapist to avoid any harm to your artificial disc during your physically demanding job.
Artificial Disc Institute in Colorado
If you are suffering from a spine problem and seek a lasting solution, don’t hesitate to contact us at Front Range Spine and Neurosurgery. We have a team of highly skilled neurosurgeons who have received advanced training to provide nonsurgical, surgical, and minimally invasive treatments for a full range of spine and brain problems and conditions.
If you would like to make an appointment with us, call us today at (303) 790-1800 or use our easy-to-use online form. We look forward to serving you!