Spinal Surgery After Care
What can I expect after my child's spinal surgery?
Your child has had spinal surgery and may or may not be using a brace for support over the next several weeks. The first week or two at home your child may feel more tired than before surgery, which is normal. Use the information below along with the information your child's nurse gives you to help your child during his/her healing process at home.
Medication
Your child will receive a prescription for pain medication. Give this medicine and any other medicine your child's doctor recommends as directed. If, after 48 hours, pain is not controlled by the prescribed medication call the nurse before 4:30 pm or the Orthopaedic Resident after 4:30 pm.
Vitamin and iron medication is to be resumed at the same dosage as before surgery. Iron may sometimes turn the stool dark and slow down the bowels. A stool softener may be needed to help with regular bowel movements. Docusate sodium (Colace") one time a day may be recommended. This softener is sold over-the counter. You may find the generic name stool softener more economical than the brand name.
Encourage the child to drink plenty of fluids and to use the Incentive Spirometer. After surgery, the lungs may not expand adequately for a while. It is extremely important that you assist your child in breathing with the incentive spirometer for the first three weeks.
Care
- Your child will be shown how to get in and out of the bed and walk with a walker. He/she may need a walker for home; ask your insurance company which medical equipment company you should use. Your child's nurse will arrange to get the walker from the company you select.
- If your child has a brace he/she should wear it all the time. The nurse will explain how to remove it in the event there is an emergency.
- Sponge baths and shampoos may be given for hygiene if wearing a brace. Protect the brace from getting wet during the shampoo by covering the edges with plastic and a towel. A laundry tub or sink spray works well for shampooing. If no brace will be worn showers are permissible.
- A cotton t-shirt should be worn under the brace and changed daily. Your child's nurse will make sure that you and your child know how to do this. You should be comfortable doing the changes before going home. If not, ask the nurse for more assistance. If any drainage is left on the t-shirt, please inform your nurse.
- The back dressing will remain in place until your child comes back to the doctor. At that time the nurse will remove the brace and change the dressing. If there is any drainage and/or foul odor from the wound and/or if the temperature is greater than 101 degrees by an oral thermometer, notify the nurse before 4:30 pm or the Orthopaedic Resident after 4:30 pm.
Activities
- Your child should be able to tolerate about one to one and a half hours drive without discomfort. If you live further, consider a rest stop to let him/her lie down for a half hour then continue the drive. Always wear a safety restraint when riding in an automobile.
- Your child should be encouraged to gradually increase activities by walking and increasing pace and distance each day. Leg and ankle exercises shown to your child in the hospital should continue to be done. If not instructed please ask the therapist or nurse.
- Your child should not lift more than 10 pounds.
- If your child drives a car, he/she should not drive for 6 weeks. Always wear a safety restraint when driving.
- Your child's nurse will help you determine what transportation is best for getting home.
Follow-up
Unless instructed otherwise, your child needs to be seen for his/her next appointment in six (6) weeks.
Contact Us
To reach the Orthopaedic Nurse before 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, please call 513-636-4567. After 4:30 pm, and during weekends and holidays, please call 513-636-4200 and ask that the Orthopaedic Resident on call be paged.
For additional information on this or any Health Topic, please call the Family Resource Center, 513-636-7606, or your pediatrician.
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Written 5/01, Rev. 3/03, 2/05, 10/06
