Following are some recommendations
that you may find useful after your surgery. It is important that you follow
these recommendations unless you have received other instructions from
your doctor or surgeon.
Sleeping
-
Use a mattress of high density
foam rubber or polyfoam, with a thick plywood board, or an innerspring,
extra-firm, or firm mattress with a good box spring to match.
-
Please do not sleep on a waterbed.
-
When lying on your back, use
a small cervical pillow or soft loose-packed pillow to keep your neck straight
or only slightly flexed. The same applies when you are sleeping on your
side, use your pillow to keep your neck straight.
-
Please do not sleep on your
stomach.
Sitting
-
Try not to sit longer than is
comfortable. Begin by sitting for approximately 30 minutes and increase
as your tolerance allows.
Activity: Light
-
Please begin by walking up to
2 or 3 times daily. Start gradually, perhaps 1/8 to 1/4 mile. Increase
your mileage to 1-5 miles daily as endurance improves.
-
Lifting. Do not lift over 10-15
pounds. Lift with your legs and not from your waist; remember to
keep the object close to your body to decrease stress. Never lift with
your legs straight and back bent forward.
-
Bending and twisting are dangerous.
These activities significantly increase the stress on your back and may
cause damage.
-
Avoid strenuous pushing and/or
pulling.
Driving
You will not be able to drive
for quite some time after your operation. Your doctor will talk to you
about when you can drive.
WARNING: Your cervical
brace will decrease your cervical motion. This may significantly impair
your ability to drive safely. Please use your best judgement.
-
Limit riding in a car the first
two weeks following surgery, after that time, you may ride in a car as
tolerated. Please avoid long trips.
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Your brace should support
your neck well.
-
Always adjust your headrest.
Need For Support
Your doctor will prescribe
either a Philadelphia, somi, or Halo brace, depending on your particular
operation. Please wear this at all times as directed by your
physician.
-
Please make every effort to
apply your brace prior to sitting up.
-
You may be given a soft cervical
collar to wear when lying in bed.
-
The purpose of the brace in
fusion cases is to eliminate the amount of motion that is transmitted to
the spine in daily activities, in order to improve the chances of the fusion
taking
-
Smoking adversely affects the
likelihood of your fusion healing. It is important to stop smoking. Please
ask your doctor for assistance as necessary.
-
Immobilization and reduction
of stress are very important to increase the probability of your fusion
healing.
Work
-
Many variables affect when you
will be able to return to work. You and your doctor share in that
decision.
Showers
-
You will need someone to assist
you during your shower.
-
You must not get up without
a brace on, or bend your neck, or remove the brace unless your doctor indicates otherwise. You are to shower in your brace unless your doctor indicates otherwise. Do not twist or bend your neck. Wash as far as you can reach without bending; have someone else wash the rest of your body. When you are finished, dry yourself off as far as you can reach. Put a dry brace on, sit down and dry the rest of your body.
Medications
-
You will be given a prescription
for narcotic pain medication when you are discharged. It is important to
discontinue these medications as soon as possible. Other non-narcotic medications
are available that are quite effective.
-
Muscle Relaxants are important
to diminish muscle spasms, which may contribute to postoperative pain.
Your doctor will prescribe the one that is best for you.
-
Should it be necessary to refill
your medications, please call our office Monday through Friday from
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. This will enable us to review your chart and
call in your prescription as necessary. We do not refill prescriptions
after hours or during weekends. As a reminder, when calling for medication,
please have your prescription bottle and pharmacy phone number available.
Thigh High TED Hose
-
Your doctor may prescribe thigh high Ted hose. These supportive stockings assist in decreasing the pooling of blood in your leg veins and help diminish the chances of blood clots and pulmonary embolism. Bed rest and limited activity increase the likelihood of blood clots. As you increase your activities then you may discontinue the use of the supportive hose.
Sexual Activity
Sexual activity may put increased stress on your spine. Please talk with your doctor prior to resuming sexual activity.
Your Personal Recovery Period:
There are many factors that can influence the speed of recovery following spine surgery. It is extremely difficult to compare your back surgery to a relative's or friend's back surgery. Second- and third-hand information may be very misleading. Although these people mean well, their recollections may not always be correct.
Depending on the complexity of your problem and other risk factors, some pain, hopefully mild in nature, may continue. For further clarification, please discuss this with your physician.
You will need to schedule an appointment with our office after you have been discharged from the hospital. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact your doctor.
Select from the list below for information from Central States Orthopedic physicians.
