Patientś experiences of everyday life before and after cervical spine surgery

Background
Neck pain is a common musculoskeletal disorder. Although surgery reduces symptoms, some patients still report significant pain and disabilities postoperatively. A deeper understanding of patients’ experiences is needed to plan coherent rehabilitation.

Objective
To explore how patients undergoing cervical spine surgery experience their everyday life pre- and post-operatively.

Methods
A qualitative study with a descriptive approach. Nine patients who had recently undergone cervical spine surgery were interviewed. Systematic text condensation was used in the analysis.

Results
Five themes emerged: “Neck pain has an extensive impact”, “Surgery gives expectations of a life again”, “Handling the situation”, “After surgery, it´s in the back of your mind” and “Uncertainty abounds”. Patients living with neck pain experience a high impact on physical, mental and social aspects. Acceptance, support and planning are important to deal with the situation. Postoperatively, patients experience a fear of doing something wrong making them refrain from activities.

Conclusion
Living with neck pain seems to have an extensive impact on physical, mental and social aspects of everyday life. Although patients have positive expectations, uncertainty concerning physical abilities is a mental challenge. This indicates that the rehabilitation process should target efficient utilization of mental, social and physical resources.