Post-Operative Information
In-Hospital
- Pain relief.
Local anaesthetic is used in the wound to help dampen pain sensations
from the cut in the soft tissues. This will be backed up by use of
morphine and related drugs to take away the severity of the pain from
the surgery. Often, the delivery of these drugs is controlled by the
person who has had the surgery by way of a button attached to a pump.
- Mobilising.
Sitting up is encouraged very soon after surgery as it allows fuller
breathing and better oxygenation. Standing and walking are started
the day after surgery and may be supervised by the physiotherapist
in the first instance.
- Stitches and dressings.
I use buried, absorbable stitches in the skin that do not require
removal. In the first two days or so, the first dressings will
become soaked
by fluid from the wound and will be changed. Before discharge
from hospital a clear, rubbery dressing will be applied that can
stay
on for a week or more until the wound heals. Showers may be taken
during that
time.
- Nerve pain.
Although many people experience early relief from their pain
following surgery, some have residual pain that takes weeks
to settle. This
is due to nerve inflammation as a result of the original compression
or
the surgery.
Top Home
First Two Weeks
- Expected levels of pain.
The operative site will be sore, but improving.
- Wound care.
Leave the dressing that was applied at discharge from hospital
intact. It should be removed 10 days after the day of surgery.
- Activity level.
It is best to keep active, but gently does it. Walking on level
ground without pushing beyond reasonable discomfort is advised.
Lying down
all the time leads to loss of muscle tone and increased medical
complications.
- Pain relief.
Tablets will be prescribed at the time of discharge and should
be taken as directed.
- Emotions and tiredness.
It is not unusual to feel down after an operation and so
allow for this in your plans when you leave hospital. Your spirits
will naturally
improve with a little time and gentle activity.
- Travelling in a car.
Being a passenger in a car will not harm you neck or back,
but may make them painful. If trips in a car are necessary,
then
try to make
them short or break them up with stops for a walk at least
every hour. It is important to sit up properly in the car
seat and
wear a seat-belt
for safety reasons and to avoid breaking the law.
Top Home
Subsequent Month
-
Increasing activity.
The first milestone in recovery is at about 6 weeks. After this time it is
good to increase activity levels in a sensible way and start resuming your
usual roles at home and/or work. For those with physically demanding work,
resumption of work will take longer. Some people will be able to return to
work earlier.
- Driving a car.
Do not expect to drive any vehicle until 6 weeks after surgery. This
is because pain in the neck or back could prevent you from controlling
the vehicle safely.
Top Home
Long-Term
-
Recovery of function.
Full recovery often depends on commitment to regular exercise in order to build
up muscle and stamina that was lost due the original condition and then the surgery.
- Keeping fit.
Commonly, the need for spine surgery comes about because of a degenerative
problem in the spine, which may have been exacerbated by an injury.
This means that your
spine as a whole needs to be looked after, even though surgery has relieved
painful symptoms. The spine benefits from regular exercise and
keeping down to a healthy
body weight. The exercise does not need to be strenuous, but should be regular
and tailored to your level of fitness and strength. The basic minimum is
walking for 30 minutes each day. Swimming is good for the
back and some people
like to visit a gymnasium. If planning to use a gym, ensure that you use
a program that is safe for your back.
Top Home
|
