View Our Blog
View Our Facebook
Visit Our OSNA Partners

Steps To A Smooth Recovery


  1. The Basics
  2. Diet and Nutrition
  3. Proper Exercise
  4. Physical Therapy and Rehab
  5. Watch for Problem
  6. Avoid the "Don’ts"
  7. Appropriate Follow-Up
  8. Correct use of Medication
  9. Wearing Your Brace
  10. Stay Informed and ASK QUESTIONS
THE BASICS
  • Remove your dressing on the second day after surgery.
  • Leave the tapes under your bandage in place until they fall off.
  • You can shower three days after your surgery, as long as there is no drainage. Just let the incision get wet. DO NOT SCRUB.
  • No baths or hot tub until you are told it is OK by your doctor.
  • Follow your brace instructions
  • Take stool softeners to avoid constipation that can occur with narcotics.
  • Make a follow-up appointment within 5-10 days after you leave the hospital.
  • Not everyone is the same! If you were given specific instructions by the doctor that contradict these instructions, you should follow the instructions given to by the doctor.

DIET AND NUTRITION

Make sure you get enough to eat!

  • You will need MORE calories than usual to make-up for the energy you need to heal after your operation. Most patients having major back procedures (like fusions) will lose weight without trying to do so.
  • Poor nutrition after surgery can lead to complications like infection. This is no time to go on a diet!
  • If you are experiencing nausea, sever constipation, diarrhea or unable to eat for any reason, please contact the office right away.
  • If your appetite is weak you may find it helpful to sip on a instant meal or eat energy bars during the day.

PROPER EXERCISE

  • Go for daily walks outside. (It will help you feel better and you will not get enough exercise walking inside your home)
  • Gradually work up to 1.5 miles a day by 6 weeks after surgery.
  • Do not begin lifting weights, jogging, golf or back exercises until you are told it is OK by your doctor.

PHYSICAL THERAPY AND REHABILITATION:

  • Not all patients need therapy right after surgery
  • Some patients will do a short course of home physical therapy for a week or two after surgery.
  • Generally we do not start outpatient therapy until about six weeks after surgery.
  • Some patients will need more structured rehab and will see our rehab specialist for a more structured and supervised rehab program.

WATCH FOR PROBLEMS

Many patients let problems go on for several days before calling. That can let small problems grow into big problems. Please avoid that trap and call right away if you have:

  • Increasing pain
  • Fever, chills or sweats
  • Increasing drainage or wound separation
  • Swelling in your legs or bad cramping in your calves
  • Repeated nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, clumsiness or unsteadiness

AVOID THE DONT’s

The following things can lead to complications and even failure of your surgery.

PLEASE DON’T:

  • Smoke or use tobacco products (this includes the nicotine patch)
  • Bend, twist or lift more than about 8 pounds until you are cleared to do so.
  • Take more medication than instructed
  • Take anti-inflammatories (Motrin, Alieve, Celebrex, etc.) if you had a fusion until cleared to do so.
  • Ignore any problems or concerns that you may have

PLEASE CALL US IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS!

FOLLOW-UP

  • Spinal surgery is a serious undertaking. A good result depends on you following up with your surgeon. This is the usual schedule:
  • For all patients:
    * 5-10 days after surgery for your first post-operative appointment
    * Your next appointment is 1 month after the first post-op visit
    * Your next appointment is 2 months later

For fusion and disc replacement patients:
* 6 months post-op
* 12 months post-op
* 18 months post-op
* 2 years post-op
(Fusion and disc replacement patients will need x-rays for these visits)

CORRECT USE OF MEDICATIONS

  • Narcotic and other prescribed medications can lead to addiction and other problems if taken incorrectly. If you feel you need more medication CALL US! Do not simply take more
  • To refill medication, contact your pharmacy. They will fax a refill request to our office.
  • Please plan ahead. Refills are not processed after hours or on weekends.
  • If you have a problem, severe side-effect or drug interaction, please call us right away.

WEARING YOUR BRACE

  • Spinal braces are not needed after every operation, so you may not have received one.
  • If you did receive a brace please follow the specific instructions you were given by our staff.

In General:

  • You do not need to sleep in your low back brace.
  • You should sleep in your neck brace.
  • You should not drive if you are wearing a neck brace.
  • You do not need to put on your low back brace to go to the bathroom.
  • Braces can be removed for shower

STAY INFORMED!

  • There is no way that general instructions like these will answer every question that each patient will have. This is meant to be a general guide.
  • Make sure that you understand your surgery and the instructions we have given to you.
  • And if you have a question just ask us.