Spinal cord surgery is known to account for almost 50% of the neurological surgeries. There are a number of disorders that can be treated with this surgery. Some of them include cervical, thoracic and lumbar disc diseases, spinal tumors, fractures and some other degenerative spinal cord diseases.

There are various types of spinal cord diseases. Some of them include:

1. Spine and Spinal Cord Surgery
2. Cervical herniated disc
3. Lumbar herniated disc
4. Minimally invasive spine surgery
5. Scoliosis and Kyphotic Deformities
6. Spinal fractures
7. Spinal stenosis
8. Spinal cord tumors
9. Spinal cord injury

Spinal Cord Surgery Post Op Care:

Wound Care

The incision that was made during the surgery is held together with suture that is a surgical tread generally under the skin. This thread dissolves with time. There is no need to apply any medication there. It is recommended that you avoid scrubbing the wound as the staples may come out. These staples are removed by the nurse during your next appointment after the surgery. This generally takes ten to fourteen days, but if the doctor thinks that the staples should stay for a few more days, then he will leave them there.

Other potential wound problems include:

• If the wound looks red or swollen, or tender, there could be chances that it has caught some infection. Infection is generally accompanied by fever. Call your doctor immediately to take further action.
• Make sure that there is no fluid draining from the wound. If there is fluid of some color flowing out, there is a possibility of an infection. If the fluid is colorless, it could be the spinal fluid. In both cases, contact your doctor immediately before it turns worse.
• Sometimes, the wound does not heal properly and opens up along the staple line. Immediately call your doctor if you notice something like this.
• If the suture (tread) comes to the surface of the skin, it will require some treatment. Again make sure that you call the doctor.
• If you find blood accumulation under the skin, call the doctor for further evaluation.

Other side effects of spinal cord surgery include weakness, numbness or bladder and bowel disturbance. After you leave the hospital, of you observe any such symptoms, make sure that you tell your doctor. Generally, the doctor would have stabilized these aftereffects before you leave the hospital, but just in case you observe such symptoms, make sure that the doctor is informed so as to take proper medications.

Blood clots may also accumulate in veins of legs. They cause swelling of the legs. Although there is no obvious impact, these clots can be dangerous if they break free and travel to the lungs causing shortness of breath.

Overall, it is most important that you take your medication diligently and never miss a dose. Do not be reluctant to take your pain medication too even thought it may cause nausea. Also, restrict over activity and lifting heavy objects until the doctor says it’s ok!