Postoperative care for decompression/fusion surgery Immediately after the surgery, patients will experience some difficulty swallowing or a sore throat due to manipulation of the esophagus. This usually resolves within several days, but symptoms may persist to a troublesome degree. The pain associated with the procedure is relatively minimal, as most of the exposure is obtained by dissecting tissue, not dividing it. Pain at the graft site (where bone graft is obtained from the hip) is more of a concern if iliac crest graft is utilized. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAID's) inhibit bone formation, which is required for the fusion to take hold, and are to be avoided. The same is known for all types of tobacco products. External bone stimulators may be used to theoretically aid fusion formation for selected patients. Postoperatively, the spine surgeon may prescribe a cervical collar for a specific period of time to assist in healing and avoid extremes of neck range of motion. In most instances, adequate healing (fusion) occurs within a three to six months. The spine surgeon may require sequential x-rays over time to document adequate healing and ensure appropriate alignment at the operative site. The spine surgeon will also provide instructions regarding specific lifting and activity restrictions for the patient. By: Thomas M. Wascher, MD, FACS August 29, 2001