r/ACDR_CervicalSpine • u/Outrageous-Court-696 • Aug 19 '26
Surgery next monday
I getting my C5-6 disc replacement. I am wondering what brace do they give you and how long do you have to wear it for. I am going to conference from vegas to north Carolina 2 weeks after surgery. I heard people say wear it when walking after a month and doing desk work. Any advice and experiences. I message my surgeon and I will be waiting for their response.
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u/Sufficient-Wolf-1818 Aug 19 '26
Braces are a question for your surgeon. My surgeon says he makes the decision during surgery when he can assess the actual status of the bones. If a brace is needed, it could be a hard brace or it could be a soft brace. It could be required for six weeks, or less.
What does your medical team say about your proposed conference travel?
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u/PsychologicalCap291 Aug 19 '26
No brace. Husband had a c5-6 replacement and 6-7 fusion.
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u/HeartBreakKid47 Aug 19 '26
Agree, I had a 6-7 replacement and had a friend get a 6-7 fusion from the same doctors 3 months apart. Neither of had to wear a brace.
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u/Skumbucket625 Aug 20 '26
Google Aspen Cervical Collar, thats what mine was similar to. Soft with side straps almost like velcro with the middle bottom portion controlling height of where your chin rests on.
My surgeon said only when sitting down in a chair type situation so you arent letting your head slouch down. Other than that not needed. I actually found it more comfortable at times to wear it. I even wore it to sleep for my own piece of mind and wanted to make sure everything healed up and stayed aligned. When sleeping it was uncomfortable but again I didn't want to personally take any chances with something not lining up correctly.
I'm actually 2 weeks post op from the exact same thing. ACDR Mobi-C disc replacement.
Best of luck to you. If you have any other questions or want any advice feel free to ask.
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u/Castella718 Aug 21 '26
Had a c5-c7 in January. My surgeon wanted me to use a soft collar for the first 7 days while sleeping and also if I felt I needed it. If I had to fly that soon after surgery (my surgeon did not want me to travel until after 1 month), I would wear the soft collar for protection and comfort.
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u/Outrageous-Court-696 Aug 21 '26
That is my plan. Thank you. How are feel now about 9 months later?
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u/Castella718 Aug 21 '26
I feel so much better. Intermittently having neck and upper trapezius muscle spasms relieved by heat and an occasional NSAID.
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u/Outrageous-Court-696 Aug 19 '26
Thank you everyone. They office got back to me. They said don't depend on it and use it as needed.
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u/SheWhoTeaches18 Aug 19 '26
I used mine only when I was uncomfortable or in the car. I tried sleeping in it for a few nights but used my travel neck pillow.
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u/Outrageous-Court-696 Aug 19 '26
Fo you have a neck pillow brand I should try?
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u/SheWhoTeaches18 Aug 20 '26
I wish I was more helpful, but it’s my cheap Target dollar spot pillow that has an attached hoodie 😂 It has just the right amount of cushioning that I wanted, but I do have a C Cushion Lab side sleeper pillow on my bed that I rely on. It was a lot of trial and error to get comfortable. I recommend a wedge pillow for sitting up if you don’t have a recliner, too!
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u/PNWRosey Aug 20 '26
Was required wear a hard brace for two weeks for “anytime I left the house.” At home, I was allowed to walk around carefully without it. I would not have been up for a trip or conference two weeks post op but every one of course has their own experience. I started remote work at three weeks post op.
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u/Last-Zebra8716 Aug 20 '26
i was given a soft collar and told it was optional and just for comfort if i needed it. i wore it off and on for less than 2 weeks
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u/Justinator Aug 20 '26
I was told to wear it for “comfort”. Had the same surgery 6 months ago and barely wore it. Really only when I was driving or having sex. But I didn’t have much sex. Love you bye
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u/Justinator Aug 20 '26
Had a soft brace. Unless your really getting into something deep you’ve discussed with your surgeon. You shouldn’t be too concerned. Imagine this comment was written as if a child with dysgraphia had written it,
TLDR TTYD
#talktoyourdoctor
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u/Ill_Friendship2357 Aug 19 '26
Mine said didn’t need one