Whether you have same-day surgery or spend one or several nights in the hospital, your Piedmont Spine Center surgeon and staff want to ensure you have instructions in writing to help speed your recovery at home.  We suggest you share these written instructions with family or friends who will assist in your care.  Sharing this information with them before your surgery can help everyone plan and prepare to help you return to activities of daily living.

Medication

You will be sent home with a prescription for pain medication if not already provided before surgery.  This medication may be a narcotic.  It is recommended that you take the pain medication as directed for the first few days. While you never want to take medication you don't need, keep in mind that after surgery, it is easier to manage pain than treat a sudden pain episode. Please let us know right away if the medication does not control your pain. You can expect postoperative pain, but please let us know immediately if the medication does not provide adequate relief.

• Call your doctor if pain medication causes nausea.
• Soon, you will start to feel better and can begin to decrease the frequency or amount of narcotic medication taken and replace it with acetaminophen (Tylenol).
• Do not take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) or naproxen (Aleve) after surgery until cleared by your spine surgeon.  NSAIDs can cause bleeding and interfere with bone fusion.
• Obtain clearance from your spine surgeon before resuming blood-thinning medication.
• Unless discontinued by your doctor, you will probably resume regular medications taken prior to your surgery.

Wound Care

If a dressing covers your incision, do not remove the bandage until instructed by your surgeon. If the area is tender, you may apply an ice pack for short intervals. Do not apply heat. Do not use creams, lotions or topical antibiotics unless instructed to do so by your surgeon. These can cause infection or allergic reactions.

If you have stitches or staples, these will be removed approximately 10-14 days after surgery.

Call Your Doctor If

• Your temperature exceeds 101° F
• It is difficult to swallow; anything interferes with your ability to breathe or drink water
• You cannot urinate or control your bladder
• You cannot move your bowels after three days
• You cannot control your bowels
• Loss of feeling in your arms, legs, groin or inner thigh
• A headache that does not improve; severe headache develops
• Your incision begins to separate
• Your incision shows signs of infection, such as increased redness, swelling, excessive pain, drainage (light blood or clear fluid is normal) or heat

Bladder and Bowel Function

If you have not been able to urinate (empty your bladder), you will likely not be discharged.  However, occasionally, patients are released home with a Foley catheter.  A Foley is a small tube inserted into your bladder.  The tube attaches to a bag that captures urine output and is easily emptied.

Your bowel function may take a few days to return to normal.  This is to be expected after general anesthesia. Bloating, constipation or difficulty moving your bowels for a few days after surgery is normal. Drinking plenty of fluids and adding fiber to your diet is the best way to manage this. A stool softener and/or laxative may be helpful to take for a day or two.

Nutrition

Your body needs healthy foods, especially after surgery.  Healing takes energy, and you need wholesome food to provide your body with a steady supply!  Be sure to drink plenty of fluids.  We are pleased to provide you with helpful information about a healthy diet to enhance your recovery.

Showering

If you have stitches or staples, do not get them wet for the first week following surgery. Cover your wound with a waterproof material when you shower in order to keep your incision dry. After your shower, remove the waterproof material and gently pat the area dry using a clean towel.

If your incision is closed with Steri-Strips (paper-like pieces of tape), keep the area completely dry for the first week after surgery. Thereafter, you may shower without covering your incision.

Do not take a tub bath, swim or use a hot tub until your stitches, staples or Steri-Strips are removed or you are instructed otherwise by your spine surgeon.

Discharge Instructions for Spinal Fusion

While you will want to follow the general instructions and special instructions provided just for you, there are some guidelines for spinal fusion patients.  Post-operatively, a brace may be prescribed if you use tobacco, are obese, diabetic, or have a condition that may interfere with healing and fusion. 

• If you were given a brace to wear after surgery, wear it as prescribed.  We understand a brace may be difficult or uncomfortable to wear.  Please let us know so we can help answer your questions and assist with resolving any issues.
• Do not drive. Avoid house and yard work, lifting, reaching, bending, twisting and spinal rotation. Depending on the extent of your fusion surgery, your doctor may provide additional restrictions that will be adjusted as you progress through recovery.
• Do not smoke or use any tobacco products.
• Schedule (if not already done so) and keep all follow-up appointments.
• Avoid prolonged sitting, standing, and lying down. 
• Walking is important to your recovery.  Short walks and gradually increasing the distance as tolerated improves your circulation, speeds healing, helps your appetite and digestion and builds strength and endurance.

Recovery from Spine Surgery

As you feel better, you naturally will be anxious to get back to life, work and other activities.  However, it is important to take small steps in accordance with your surgeon's instructions.  Your surgeon may also recommend an organized physical therapy or rehabilitation program after surgery.

We look forward to answering your questions and helping you to resolve your concerns about any treatment offered by Piedmont Spine Center.