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.
Otherwise, wear it as much as you can tolerate for the first two weeks when not sitting or lying down. After that, wear it as your pain level dictates or when you are active for the first 6 weeks after surgery. You may remove it at night, for showers/baths, and when you are relatively inactive around the house.
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 Dr. Ball. Gradually increase the distance you walk and, if weather permits, you may walk outside. You should be able to increase your distance until you can walk at least 30 minutes. Your long term goal should be to walk between 30 minutes and two hours daily.
TAKING CARE OF YOUR WOUND
Change your dressings with sterile gauze once a day until your wound is completely dry (i.e., when the dressings are clean). Apply povidone ointment to your incision with each dressing change then stop using ointment when you stop using dressings. If you have Steri-Strips on your incision, allow them to fall off on their own – usually in 1-2 weeks.
Never leave a wet or dirty dressing on. Change it as soon as possible.
You may start taking showers when your wound is dry, at least 48 hours after surgery. It’s okay if the incision gets wet. However, do not scrub your wound and do not submerge your incision in water (bathtub, hot tub, etc.) until the wound is healed over – usually about 3 weeks.
You may apply an ice pack to the surgery site for 20 minutes three times a day for comfort and to reduce swelling.
DIET
You can help yourself and your recovery by paying attention to your diet after surgery. You may resume your normal, pre-operative diet as tolerated.
Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet and make sure that you are getting enough protein. Right after surgery is not a good time to be losing a lot of weight as your body requires the calories for healing. Meal supplements can be helpful if you are finding it hard to eat enough. Foods high in protein and vitamin C can aid the wound healing process. Consider taking zinc, folate and vitamin C supplements if you tolerate them.
Pain medications and decreased activity can cause constipation or nausea. To prevent this, eat foods high in fiber and drink 6-8 glasses of water per day. You should take an over-the-counter stool softener until your bowel movements are normal. Typically, we recommend a stool softener which contains “senna” or “colace” supplemented with a fiber laxative like Metamucil. Your bowels will usually be working normally within 3-5 days after surgery.
If you had a fusion, your diet should contain 1,000-1,500 mg of calcium daily for the first three months. If you are not getting enough calcium in your diet, you can take up to 1,500 mg of calcium supplements daily if tolerated.
MEDICATIONS
Prescribed medication(s) should be taken only as directed. Take all medication with food unless otherwise directed.
As your pain lessens, you should decrease the amount of pain medication you are taking. Substitute over-the-counter Tylenol as your pain level decreases.
Prescriptions will not be refilled outside of normal working hours (8:30-4:30, Monday-Friday).
Prescriptions for pain medications will not be refilled early.
Do not drive until you are off of narcotic pain medications.
If you had a fusion, for three months after surgery minimize the amount of anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve) you take as they can inhibit bone healing and delay your recovery.
SYMPTOMS TO REPORT TO YOUR DOCTOR
Shortness of breath, inability to swallow, or chest pain.
Unusual drainage, redness or swelling from your incision area.
Feelings of flu-like symptoms (e.g., nausea, general body aches, or temperature over 101 degrees for longer than 24 hours).
Any change in strength or sensation of your arms, hands, legs or feet (e.g., increase in numbness, tingling, or pain).
Any loss of bladder or bowel control.
Frequent need to urinate small amounts of urine or feeling of bladder distention.
Symptoms of swelling and/or redness behind your knees or in your calves can be symptoms of a life-threatening blood clot. If you develop these symptoms, contact us immediately or go to the nearest emergency department.
IF YOU HAD A FUSION
If you had a fusion, your diet should contain 1,000-1,500 mg of calcium daily to optimize conditions for bone healing. If you are not getting enough calcium in your diet, consider taking 1,500 mg of oral calcium every day as tolerated.
Avoid taking anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve) for the first three months after your surgery as they inhibit bone healing. Taking these medications regularly (e.g. every day) can delay your recovery or even affect the success of your operation, although an occasional ibuprofen maybe helpful in controlling pain in a pinch.
Do NOT smoke or use other related products (like gums or patches) for at least 3 months as nicotine inhibits wound and bone healing. Use of products containing nicotine significantly increases your risk for wound and fusion complications.
FOLLOW-UP APPOINTMENT
Please contact our office (503) 253-4000 the first business day after discharge from the hospital and make an appointment for 1-2 weeks after your surgery.
Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns.