What does a cervical fusion incision site infection look like?

Red, tender: If you have redness, extreme tenderness, or drainage from the incision, you should be concerned about an infection. This would be urgent, so you should call your surgeon immediately. If your surgery was some time ago and the incision has already healed, then an infection is much less likely. Still, if you are worried, then your surgeon is the best person to make that diagnosis.

Infected: Red, swollen, tender, pus drainage. Google images has wound infection images for your reference. If it is of any help, infections in the anterior neck are rare. Go see your surgeon right away. He may start you on oral antibiotics of there is a concern. In the meantime, drink orange juice or take vitamin c and zinc tablets to speed up the wound healing.

Rare: A infection in an anterior cervical fusion site is rare. It would be red, swollen, possible drainage, tender and very warm to the touch.