Why does Dr. Bertagnoli make the patients wear a neck or back orthesis (soft neck collar or plastic back brace) after ADR surgery, while other doctors do not?
A. The orthesis is to remind the patient to limit their range of motion to 80% of their normal range of motion. This is important, because extreme flexion or extension could disturb the knitting of the bone to the ADR or cause the ADR to migrate (slide). Dr. Bertagnoli’s patients have not experienced such a migration to date and we want to take all measures possible to prevent this from ever happening. The surfaces between the ADR and the vertebrae should remain as undisturbed as possible, while knitting together. The first two weeks after surgery are the most critical for bone knitting. Instructions are given to the patient on how to wear each orthesis. After six weeks neither orthesis is need.
Related Questions
- Why does Dr. Bertagnoli make the patients wear a neck or back orthesis (soft neck collar or plastic back brace) after ADR surgery, while other doctors do not?
- Do I have to do anything special after cervical disc surgery, like wear a soft neck collar?
- What does Dr Ian Malcolm wear around his neck in the movie Jurassic Park?
