Physical Therapy After Neck Surgery

The neck is an intricate structure composed of bones, vessels, nerves, discs, muscles, and ligaments, all working together to support the weight of the skull and facilitate movement. Whether turning your head while driving or absorbing impact during physical activities, the neck plays a critical role in everyday motion. When conservative care like physical therapy fails to alleviate pain or restore function, surgery may become a necessary intervention.

In today’s post, Dr. Saini will explore why neck surgery might be necessary, the common procedures involved, what recovery entails, and the crucial role of physical therapy in restoring strength, mobility, and function.

Severe neck pain and limitations, especially when accompanied by radiating symptoms in the limbs, weakness in the arms, hands, or legs, and difficulty performing basic daily tasks such as walking, working, or sleeping, may warrant consideration of neck surgery. While the idea of surgery on the spine—particularly the neck—can feel overwhelming, most patients experience positive outcomes, especially when physical therapy is incorporated into their recovery once cleared by the surgeon.

Some of the most common neck surgeries performed are:

• Spinal fusion: Relieves pressure from nerves/discs or limits motion of the vertebrae.
• Laminectomy or discectomy: Involves the removal of part of the vertebrae or disc to relieve pressure on the nerve roots and spinal cord.
• Disc replacements: Addresses severe radiating symptoms, such as changes in sensation and strength.

These procedures are designed to alleviate pain, restore function, and improve overall quality of life. While surgery addresses the structural issues causing symptoms, a comprehensive recovery plan, including physical therapy, is essential to regain strength, mobility, and confidence in daily activities.

Depending on the surgery performed, there are typically activity and lifting restrictions that an individual must follow to protect the healing process. A patient can expect to go home 24 hours to a few days after the procedure. Physical therapy after neck surgery may begin once the surgeon clears the individual to do so. The great news is that advances in technology now allow for quicker recovery times.

Physical therapy after neck surgery is essential, and most patients start physical therapy within a couple of weeks, depending on the procedure performed. It is crucial to ensure a patient attends sessions consistently for the best outcomes. Rehabilitation will involve various treatment techniques to help manage pain, improve range of motion, increase overall neck, shoulder, and trunk strength, and, when appropriate, train for more advanced skills that may be required in a patient’s specific sport or work. In the clinic, we have treated everyone from weekend warriors and stay-at-home moms to stunt performers, helping them return to doing what they love post-neck surgery.