Cervical Disk Surgery Complications

Between the ages of 25 and 50, many people experience a very unpleasant event. A slipped disc or herniated disc can be very painful and very worrisome. This is caused when the jelly-like substance covering the disc tears and falls into the spinal canal, leaving the nerves around the spinal cord compressed. As a result of this compression, there may be arm discomfort that gets worse when coughing or sneezing. Other symptoms include numbness and tingling, or muscle weakness of the hands and arms. If left untreated, the ruptured disc can cause walking difficulties, problems with hand coordination and urination problems. Symptoms will vary from one person to the next.

Injury

• During fusion surgery to correct a disc problem, spinal cord and nerve injuries may occur, resulting in partial or complete paralysis and loss of sensation. There may be difficulty controlling bowel and bladder if there is injury to the nerves. Spinal fluid may leak if the covering of the nerves is jeopardized; if this happens, surgery may be necessary for repair.

Infection

• There is a 1 to 5 percent chance of wound infection following surgery, even though antibiotics were administered before and after surgery. Antibiotics will take care of mild infections, but more severe infections may require a surgical cleansing. This will be done under anesthesia. Your risk of infection increases if you have an infection in another region before surgery. Be sure to speak with your doctor about this.

Surgery Failure

• Typically, the success rate for fusions is around 95 percent. There are times, however, when additional surgery is needed to correct the fusion.

Blood Clots

• Although uncommon after cervical disc surgery, venous thrombosis (clotting of blood in the calf muscles) and pulmonary embolism (blockage of an artery due to a blood clot) may occur. The use of calf compressors and TED stockings helps to prevent blood clots in the legs. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have had this problem in the past.

Warnings

• After disc surgery, there are warning signs that you should look for. Excessive bleeding, discharge from the wound or redness around it, fever, urination problems, and numbness or weakness of the legs are symptoms that alert you to danger. If you should develop any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately.