After Surgery
Preparing for Spine Surgery
Pre-operative: It will take approximately 45 to 60 minutes to get signatures for surgical consents and to review the instructions regarding your surgery. Be sure to bring a list of current medications, including the drug name, dosage, and the days and times you typically take them.
Pre-admission Appointment: Prior to this appointment—which takes place at the hospital—you should have had your pre-operative tests performed by your family doctor. This appointment will take approximately one to two hours for lab tests, including blood work, EKG, and chest X-ray. If you have a heart or lung condition, or if you are an insulin-dependent diabetic, you must see your family doctor prior to surgery and get medical clearance. Before you leave, you will also meet with someone from the anesthesia department.
Pre-operative Information
Admission: You will be admitted to the hospital the morning of your surgery.
Medications: Stop anti-inflammatory medications and/or aspirin; if you take anticoagulants such as Coumadin, asprin or Lovenox, your surgeon will tell you how long you should cease taking them prior to surgery.
Food and drink: Do not eat or drink anything for eight hours prior to surgery, except for prescribed medications. On the day of surgery, if you do have a prescribed medication to take, swallow it with a small sip of water.
Length of Surgery: The length of surgery varies with the procedure; it may take as little as two hours but four to six hours is not unusual, followed by another one to two hours in the recovery room.
After Spine Surgery (Post Operative)
Length of Hospitalization: Average stay can range from one to five days, this varies greatly on the type and extent of each procedure and patient. Please consult your Round Rock Orthopaedics surgeon to get the most accurate estimation.
Anesthesia: Patients undergo general anesthesia.
Blood Transfusions: If you choose to do so, you can donate one to two units of your own blood to be used after surgery if necessary. This will be arranged for you pre-operatively in coordination with your family doctor.
Physical Therapy: It is critical after spinal surgery to get the patient mobile as soon as possible. Usually by the end of the day you have your surgery, a physical therapist will help you move from your bed to a chair. By the end of the first post-op day, you will stand upright and walk a short distance. After you go home from the hospital, you will need physical therapy from three to six times a week for three to six weeks. Before surgery, please consult with our staff to arrange outpatient physical therapy with Round Rock Orthopedics & Rehab.
IMPORTANT: Prior to surgery, VERIFY INSURANCE BENEFITS FOR YOUR CONTINUOUS PASSIVE MOTION (CPM) AND PHYSICAL THERAPY. THESE ITEMS ARE NOT ALWAYS COVERED BY ALL COMPANIES. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU CONFIRM THE NUMBER OF PHYSICAL THERAPY VISITS APPROVED BY YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY FOLLOWING SURGERY. INFORM YOUR PHYSICAL THERAPY PROVIDER ABOUT WHAT HAS BEEN APPROVED BEFORE YOU BEGIN THERAPY.
Using a Walker: Initially you may walk with a walker, which will be provided while you are in the hospital. As you progress, your physical therapist may switch you to crutches or a cane.
Wound Care: The surgical dressing is usually removed after two or three days. You may keep the incision open to air as long as there is no bleeding or drainage. Prior to suture removal, we recommend keeping the incision dry. We will remove any sutures that may have been placed in the office approximately two weeks after your surgery.
Pain management: For the first one to two days after surgery, pain is very well controlled with a PCA (patient controlled anesthesia). It is important to maintain a schedule for the pain medications provided and prescribed. It is best to address the pain before it intensifies. Pain is manageable with medications and will lessen as your surgery heals. Pain medicine can cause itching, nausea, and/or constipation. These are all common side-effects of narcotic-based medications and do not necessarily indicate a drug allergy.
Driving: Most patients are able to safely drive a car approximately two to six weeks after surgery for very short distances only. We recommend that patients do not drive cars with a manual transmission while they are healing because of the sudden and jerky movements that can accompany shifting gears and using the clutch. You should consult your physician prior to increase driving or other activity.
Home Care: You may need help with normal daily activities for three to five days following discharge from the hospital. We recommend that you have someone stay with you after you leave the hospital for at least a week (and longer if possible). If this is not possible, please let the nurse know you will need assistance after surgery.
Things to Report: Call the office at (512) 244-0766 if you develop any of the following:
- Redness around the incision
- Drainage or bleeding from the incision
- Fever over 101 degrees
- Increased swelling Severe pain that is unrelieved by post-op medication
- Severe weakness in bowel or bladder
- Severe unexplained weakness
- Persistent headaches or lightheadedness
Return to Work: Following spinal surgery, you will be able to return to sedentary work eight to twelve weeks after surgery. We recommend restricting certain work activities:
- No heavy lifting
- Limited bending, stooping, and squatting
- Follow Physicians orders
