Discharge Instructions                                                                       Back to Patients Page

For Patients After A Spinal Fusion
MEDICATIONS:
 
Your doctor may give you prescriptions prior to discharge. It is important that you take these medications as directed.
 
INCISION:
 
Keep your incision area clean. You may shower 24 hours after surgery. Using a clean dry towel, gently pat your incision dry before drying the rest of your body. Do not soak your incision or apply any lotions, ointments, or powders until it is completely healed. If small strips of tape are applied to the incision, they will usually fall off on their own; however, if they are still on after two weeks, you may remove them.
 
If any signs or symptoms of infection occur, call your doctor immediately. This may include:
 
Fevers, chills, or sweats.
 
Drainage from the incision not present at discharge.
 
Increased or new onset of pain.
 
Redness or swelling along the incision.
 
ACTIVITY:
 
No bending from the waist.
 
Use your knees to squat or stoop.
 
Limit stair climbing to two to three times a day for the first two weeks.
You may sit in a straight-back, soft chair with your back supported for short periods (15 to 20 minutes at a time). Sitting for long periods of time can increase your pain.
Do not push or pull any objects heavier than five pounds. This includes pushing a vacuum cleaner, lifting small children, etc.
 
Do not drive or ride in your car until your first doctor's visit following surgery.
 
Do not return to work, participate in any sport, or resume sexual relations until approved by your doctor.
 
PAIN CONTROL:
 
Take your pain medications as prescribed by your doctor. You may continue to have some leg pain and numbness for a while. Some discomfort and muscle cramping is normal following surgery; however, persistent severe pain or new onset of pain, numbness, or tingling is not. If these occur, call your doctor. Once you have used all your pain medication, you can continue to use Tylenol for pain relief. If you underwent a lumbar fusion, do not use anti-inflammatory or aspirin.
  
EXERCISE:
 
Continue with your leg exercises, deep breathing, coughing exercises, and frequent walks. Frequent walks of 10 to 15 minutes with gradual increase in the amount of time spent walking will help in your recovery following surgery. Intermittently sit on a soft chair.
 
DIET:
 

You will need to eat a well-balanced diet to promote healing of your incision and keep up your strength. If you find your are having difficulty with constipation, increase your fluid intake to six to eight glasses of water a day (limit caffeine products and alcoholic beverages), and eat high fiber foods, such as fruits, vegetables, beans, and bran.

 
FOLLOW-UP APPOINTMENT:
  
It is important to follow up with your doctor, following surgery, at his office. Make an appointment to be seen two weeks after your discharge from the hospital. The phone number is 904-253-7644.
 
CALL YOUR DOCTOR:
Notify your doctor if any of the following occur:

Increase in pain in the lower back and/ or legs.
 
Difficulty controlling bowel movements or urination.
 
Drainage from the incision site.
 
 
The numbers to call are:

Office:  386-253-7644

Emergency Room:  386-254-4100