Constipation is a common problem that affects many people after surgery. Postoperative constipation can be caused by a variety of factors, including pain medication, anesthesia, and changes in diet and activity levels. While it can be uncomfortable and even painful, there are steps you can take to control postoperative constipation and promote bowel regularity.
Continue reading “POSTOPERATIVE CONSTIPATION”TELL US HOW WE ARE DOING
We hope this letter finds you well on your path to recovery. At Rose City Spine Surgery, we are committed to providing the highest quality care to our patients, and your feedback is invaluable in helping us maintain and improve our services.
Continue reading “TELL US HOW WE ARE DOING”POSTOPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS
Follow these instructions to optimize your recovery from your spine surgery.
ACTIVITY AND EXERCISE
Plan to rest for the first four to five days following discharge from the hospital.
Avoid repetitive bending, twisting, pushing, pulling, or lifting anything more than 10 pounds for the first two weeks. Avoid sitting or standing for more than 30 minutes at a time for the first week. Pay special attention to body mechanics following surgery. If you need to pick something up from ground level, bend at the knees and keep your back straight.
You should have been fitted with a brace. If you have been given specific instructions by Dr. Ball, follow those.
Continue reading “POSTOPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS”NORTHWEST SPINE SURGERY FORMS
Welcome to Northwest Spine Surgery. We look forward to meeting you. We are sincerely interested in your spine problems and will do our best to meet your needs. If surgery is not the right answer, we will tell you openly and honestly. Then, we will help you find alternative treatments better suited to your condition.
If you would like to save time at the office, you can fill out some of your paperwork in advance.
KEEPING YOUR SPINE HEALTHY AFTER SPINE SURGERY
Maintaining a Healthy Spine
Our goal for you is a pain free spine. Now that you’ve had your surgery, it is critical that you take good care of your back and minimize the chances that you will develop new problems. Improving fitness, posture, body mechanics, and overall health will help your spine last. Here are some suggestions to help maximize recovery and maintain a healthy spine.
ACTIVITY AND EXERCISE
Walking: Walking is the best exercise after surgery and you need to walk every day. You can walk as much as your pain level permits. You should not participate in any activities more vigorous than walking until cleared by your physician. Start small then gradually increase the distance you walk. Continue reading “KEEPING YOUR SPINE HEALTHY AFTER SPINE SURGERY”
PREPARING FOR SURGERY
All patients who undergo spine surgery have a few things in common: they want to have a safe surgery with a good result while minimizing their level of discomfort.
If you have elected to pursue surgery, we would like to make surgery as safe and comfortable for you as possible. There are a few things that you can do to help yourself get the best results.
Continue reading “PREPARING FOR SURGERY”SPINAL CORD STIMULATION
A spinal cord stimulator (SCS) is an electronic device placed over the nerves in the spine. When activated, it generates small electric fields that block pain sensations from being transmitted up the spinal cord to the brain. Although the mechanisms by which it works are not fully understood, the stimulator seems to create interference so that pain signals coming from the spine are less noticeable. It can be thought of as similar to what happens why you try to hear what is said in a crowded, noisy room. It is much harder to understand and frequently words are missed or not heard at all.
Continue reading “SPINAL CORD STIMULATION”
EXERCISE FOR A HEALTHY SPINE
Exercise is something we all know we should do, but not many do it for one reason or another. However, the evidence is mounting that exercise has many health benefits, including improving back pain and overall spine health. Continue reading “EXERCISE FOR A HEALTHY SPINE”
SAFE USE OF OPIOID PAIN MEDICATION
Most patients undergoing a spinal procedure will require short term treatment with opioid pain medications. Opioids can be an invaluable tool in helping to manage the pain that can result from surgery. However, the use of opioids is also carries some risks. Our goal for you is to make surgery as safe and effective as possible. Part of the process is patient education regarding the use of pain medications. Here are some resources to help you. As part of your care, you will be required to sign a pain contract if you elect to undergo treatment at our clinic. You may also be tested to ensure that you are taking the medications as prescribed. In addition to pain medications you will likely be given a prescription for narcan, a rescue medication that can be life saving in the event of an overdose.
Common opioid medications include:
Continue reading “SAFE USE OF OPIOID PAIN MEDICATION”SACROILIAC (SI) JOINT DYSFUNCTION
Back pain is extremely common. More than 90% of people have back pain at some point. There are many possible causes for back pain, but one under appreciated source is the sacroiliac joint (SI joint). It has been suggested that dysfunction of the SI joint is responsible for back pain 15-23% of the time. As many as 40% of patients with previous lumbar fusions may have pain from the SI joint.