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Cervical Fusion Post-Operative Complications

The cervical spine is the first seven veterbra in the spinal column. Cervical fusion surgery is most often recommended for patients who experience pain in the neck related to a herniated or diseased disc. The fusion surgery is performed when conservative, pain-relieving treatments fail and a patient experiences problems with pain and instability in the neck. During the cervical fusion procedure, a surgeon removes the diseased portions of the disc and then replaces that disc with a bone graft. This graft allows the bones to fuse together, creating a solid span of bone to strengthen the spine. It is possible to fuse more than two vertebral bodies together should multiple fractures be experienced in the spine.

  1. Non-Healing Graft

    • Spinal fusion relies on the principal that the bone graft will heal and thus fuse the spine together. However, in some patients the graft does not heal properly or at all. A non-healing graft is often associated with smokers and in those who must fuse more than one vertebral body together. If the graft does not fuse together, the surgery is not considered successful.

    Graft Dislodgement

    • Most bone grafts are held in place using screws or pins; however, the grafts can sometimes dislodge or fall out of place from the vertebral body. If this occurs, a patient will experience recurring pain and may even notice a protrusion from the spine. If the graft does dislodge, additional surgery may be necessary to hold the graft in place.

    Nerve Damage

    • As with any surgery performed on the spinal canal, it is possible to damage the spinal nerves or even the spinal cord. During surgery, a surgeon could potentially cut or perforate a nerve or a nerve could be aggravated, causing swelling. While such injuries can cause temporary muscle weakness or sensation loss in the neck, the nerve damage can be permanent in some instances.

    Infection

    • If an infection occurs at the place where the skin was cut, it can typically be treated with antibiotics. However, if the infection occurs deep under the skin's surface, such as in the bones or soft tissues, antibiotic treatments may not be sufficient to clear the infection.

    Thrombophlebitis

    • Because many patients must remain immobile or limit movement following surgery, the risk of blood clot formation accompanies cervical fusion surgery. Also known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), this condition takes place when a blood clot forms in the leg, then breaks apart and travels to the lung (which can cause a pulmonary embolism) or the heart (which can cause a stroke). For this reason, it is important for patients recovering from spinal surgery to take blood thinners to prevent clots or wear pressure stockings that boost circulation in their legs.

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