Post surgical care

Physical Activity

  • Avoid any heavy lifting, straining, swimming, golfing, driving or riding a bicycle until after your postoperative appointment at 1 to 3 weeks.
  • Daily walking at a pace that avoids fatigue or severe pain. Increase your distance a little each day.
  • You may climb stairs when you feel able.
  • Discomfort is normal while you gradually return to normal activity, but pain is a signal to proceed more slowly.
  • Sexual relations may be resumed during the recovery period, but avoid positions that strain the neck or cause pain.
  • At your 1 to 3 week postoperative appointment, specific instructions will be given regarding an exercise program you can do at home.

 

Cervical Collar

  • Not all patients require a collar to use so follow your physician’s instructions.
  • If you are discharged with a hard cervical collar, it is to be worn as directed by your physician.
  • If you are given a soft collar for comfort, please use while active and remove when resting.

 

Working

  • Your doctor will determine when you can return to work and any restrictions.
  • Restrictions are individualized depending on the type of work and the amount of lifting, bending and twisting required at your work

 

Driving

  • You should not drive a car until released by your physician, usually after your first postoperative visit.
  • Never drive after pain medications.
  • You may ride as a passenger at any time and may also ride in a plane as necessary.
  • Take several short trips prior to a long trip. If going on a long trip, take frequent breaks (at least every hour).

 

Medications and Diet

  • Prescription pain medications will be given for discomfort which is not relieved by over-the-counter medications.
  • We expect the use of pain medicines to be very mild and dispense enough pain medicines to last the patient throughout the recovery period.
  • Heat, moderate exercise and rest will also help to improve the recovery and decrease the pain.
  • Laxatives should be used as needed. Narcotic pain medicines generally cause mild constipation.
  • You may experience some difficulty swallowing and sore throat for a few days. You may want to eat soft foods and avoid hot items during this period.
  • Drink plenty of fluids when you eat.

 

Refills

  • Refills of narcotics are generally done only during post-operative visits and will not be prescribed over the telephone unless there are extenuating circumstances.
  • Narcotics will not be filled on weekends beginning at noon on Friday or after-hours.

 

Hygiene

  • You may take a shower once the original dressing is removed from the wound. This is usually done in the hospital or the day after the discharge.
  • Do not let the shower hit directly on the wound and do not submerse the wound under water such as in a hot tub or bathtub for at least three weeks.
  • If the wound is wet, merely pat it dry. Do not rub it dry.

 

Wound Problems

  • Do not put any ointment or lotion on your incision.
  • If steri-strips (butterfly tape) were applied, you may take them off after five to seven days.
  • If Dermabond (glue) is used, this will slowly come off over two weeks.
  • If sutures are in place, they will need to come out about 1 week after surgery. If the skin sutures were removed before your discharge from the hospital, it is not necessary to keep the incision covered.
  • It is important to look at your wound on a daily basis and inspect the area for signs of redness, swelling, drainage or pus.

 

Warning Signs

If you experience any of the following report it to CNI immediately.

  • Body temperature increases to 101 or greater
  • Difficulty with swallowing becomes worse
  • Pain equal to or greater than your pre-operative state.

 

 

Physical Activity

  • Avoid any heavy lifting, straining, swimming, golfing, driving or riding a bicycle until after your postoperative appointment at 1 to 3 weeks.
  • Daily walking at a pace that avoids fatigue or severe pain. Increase your distance a little each day.
  • You may climb stairs when you feel able.
  • Discomfort is normal while you gradually return to normal activity, but pain is a signal to proceed more slowly.
  • Sitting down should be minimal during the post-op period as this will increase your back pain. You may sit to eat or when using the commode.
  • Standing for long periods will also irritate your back.
  • Sexual relations may be resumed during the recovery period, but avoid positions that strain the neck or cause pain.
  • At your 1 to 3 week postoperative appointment, specific instructions will be given regarding an exercise program you can do at home.
  • If you are discharged with support stockings, you may remove them as desired unless otherwise directed by your physician.

 

Working

  • Your doctor will determine when you can return to work and any restrictions.
  • Restrictions are individualized depending on the type of work and the amount of lifting, bending and twisting required at your work

 

Driving

  • You should not drive a car until released by your physician, usually after your first postoperative visit.
  • Never drive after pain medications.
  • You may ride as a passenger at any time and may also ride in a plane as necessary.
  • Take several short trips prior to a long trip. If going on a long trip, take frequent breaks (at least every hour).
  • You will notice back irritation when riding in a car.

 

Medications and Diet

  • Prescription pain medications will be given for discomfort which is not relieved by over-the-counter medications.
  • We expect the use of pain medicines to be very mild and dispense enough pain medicines to last the patient throughout the recovery period.
  • Heat, moderate exercise and rest will also help to improve the recovery and decrease the pain.
  • Laxatives should be used as needed. Narcotic pain medicines generally cause mild constipation.

 

Refills

  • Refills of narcotics are generally done only during post-operative visits and will not be prescribed over the telephone unless there are extenuating circumstances.
  • Narcotics will not be filled on weekends beginning at noon on Friday or after-hours.

 

Sleep

  • When lying flat, place one or two pillows underneath your knees to stay elevated.
  • When lying on your side, place a pillow between your knees and pull them up toward your chest.
  • When waking, up a stiff back is not uncommon and may be relieved with a short walk or a warm shower.
  • Take short rests throughout the day during recovery period.
  • Sleep medication is not routinely given.


Hygiene

  • You may take a shower once the original dressing is removed from the wound. This is usually done in the hospital or the day after the discharge.
  • Do not let the shower hit directly on the wound and do not submerse the wound under water such as in a hot tub or bath-tub for at least three weeks.
  • If the wound is wet, merely pat it dry. Do not rub it dry.

 

Wound Problems

  • Do not put any ointment or lotion on your incision.
  • If steri-strips (butterfly tape) were applied, you may take them off after five to seven days.
  • If Dermabond (glue) is used, this will slowly come off over two weeks.
  • If sutures or staples are in place, they will need to come out about 1 week after surgery. If the skin sutures were removed before your discharge from the hospital, it is not necessary to keep the incision covered.
  • It is important to look at your wound on a daily basis and inspect the area for signs of redness, swelling, drainage or pus.

 

Warning Signs

If you experience any of the following report it to CNI immediately.

  • Body temperature increases to 101 or greater
  • Difficulty with swallowing becomes worse
  • Pain equal to or greater than your pre-operative state.