What should I do after spinal surgery?

Things patients should know when recovering from surgery.

1. The patient will wake up from surgery with various tubes and wires all over their body, such as IV lines, urinary catheters, drainage tubes for surgical wounds, and lines monitoring vital signs from various organs.

2. The patient will undergo a neurological assessment immediately upon waking up, such as being asked to dorsiflex their ankles and toes.

3. For patients who do not require ICU stay after surgery, they will be moved to a recovery room for observation for approximately 1-2 hours.

4. Patients requiring close monitoring, such as elderly patients, will be advised to stay in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for one day before being transferred to a regular patient room.

5. In some spinal surgery techniques, it may be necessary to continue fasting for a period of time, but generally, patients are allowed to eat soft foods within 24 hours.

6. If you experience pain at the surgical site, inform the nurse to receive pain medication. The pain will significantly decrease after 2-3 days.

7. Patients who receive general anesthesia and are intubated may experience a sore throat, dry mouth, or nausea and vomiting after surgery.

8. Patients who have received spinal anesthesia or nerve anesthesia may not see the effects wear off immediately. Care should be taken to avoid impact or exposure to extreme heat or cold in the numb area.

9. After surgery, if you are unable to urinate, inform your doctor or nurse, who may need to temporarily catheterize you.

How many days after surgery can I get up and walk?

Generally, patients will stand up and practice walking on day 2 or 3, along with the removal of the urinary catheter and drainage tube. However, the doctor will consider each case individually to determine what is appropriate for each patient.

When can a wound get wet?

The wound can be exposed to water once it has completely healed. This may take approximately 2 weeks (or 10-14 days). Your doctor will assess the wound and inform you again before you go home.

Why do some people's wounds heal slowly?

Wound healing depends on its size, depth, location, and blood circulation in the wound area. In addition, the patient's overall health, age, nutritional status, and certain underlying medical conditions such as diabetes can delay wound healing.

Do I need to have the stitches removed?

Depending on the type of suture used by the surgeon, which can be absorbable or non-absorbable, your doctor will inform you. Generally, sutures are removed 10-14 days after surgery, unless absorbable sutures are used subcutaneously, in which case no removal is required.

How many days after being discharged from the hospital do I need to have my first doctor's appointment?

Depending on the doctor's assessment of each patient, it is generally about 1 week.

What are the symptoms of an abnormal wound healing?

If the wound becomes painful without subsiding over time, swells, becomes red and warm, develops a fever, or discharges, or if you experience unusually severe back pain, you should return to see a doctor immediately.

How long do I need to wear a cervical and lumbar spine brace after surgery?

Laser or non-invasive spinal treatments do not require a spinal support device. However, some types of spinal surgery, such as full endoscopic TLIF, may require a spinal support device, which is generally recommended to be worn for 1-2 months or as directed by your doctor.

How many days of recovery are needed before I can return to work?

Most patients feel much better within 2-3 weeks and can return to work normally, but some may need 4-8 weeks before they can go back to work. This depends on the patient's physical condition, the type of work they do, and the type of surgery performed.

Initial activities after returning home for general cervical and lumbar spine surgery.

Weeks 1-2

• You can perform your normal daily routine (however, your doctor will assess what is appropriate).

• Walk around your neighborhood every day as often as you can. Gradually increase the distance and time each day, remembering to wear a back or neck brace and use a cane.

• You shouldn't sit for more than 20 minutes.

• When going up or down stairs, always hold onto the handrail.

• Take your medication as prescribed by your doctor.

• Care for the wound as instructed by your doctor.

• I can lift objects that weigh no more than 2 kilograms.

• Patients who recover quickly and are no longer in pain will be able to drive short distances. Your doctor may schedule a follow-up appointment for a post-operative evaluation.

Third week

• I still need to practice walking, gradually increasing the distance and time I walk.

• Can do small household chores.

• You can lift objects weighing no more than 5 kilograms.

• Younger patients who recover quickly may not need a cane to walk and may only need to wear a walking aid as advised by their doctor.

Week four

• Walking will become easier and further.

• You could start doing light exercise and increasing your housework.

• You can drive further.

• You can walk without a cane, or use a back or neck brace as recommended by your doctor.

In the second and third months after surgery.

You can increase your physical activity with activities such as swimming, stationary cycling, and moderate exercise. However, back stiffness may persist for up to 3-5 months before improving. This advice is for general spinal surgery; however, some types of surgery have different guidelines. The surgeon will assess the patient's overall condition and the type of surgery on a case-by-case basis. Follow your surgeon's recommendations closely. Your doctor will schedule follow-up appointments, so you should strictly adhere to their instructions.

Activities to do and activities to avoid after surgery.

Activities that must be avoided.

• Activities that regularly involve bending over or arching the back to its maximum extent.

• Do not lift objects heavier than 5 kilograms.

• When bending down to lift or pick up objects, squat down instead.

• Do not sit in one position for more than 2 hours.

• Avoid sitting cross-legged.

• You should not be in an area that vibrates.

• Avoid activities that put impact on your back.

Activities you should do

• Exercise by walking, gradually increasing the distance you walk each day.

• Wear shoes with soft, cushioned soles when walking or exercising.

• Once the wound has healed but you still experience back stiffness, exercise by swimming to stretch and strengthen the muscles.

Can you drive long distances?

You can drive once your pain subsides. Generally, patients can drive about 2 weeks after surgery, and longer distances can be driven after 2-3 months. Avoid driving long distances continuously. If you need to rest, change your posture every 1-2 hours.

What should you do when traveling long distances by car?

When traveling long distances by car, adjust the seat back to recline more than usual to distribute the weight to your back, and take breaks to change your posture periodically.