Wound Care
- Keep incision clean and dry
- Wash with soap and water, dry with towel
- Do not apply any creams, ointments, etc. to incision
- You will have staples in the skin
- Do not remove staples
- The incision may be left uncovered
- You may apply a bandage over the incision if it is more comfortable, but change bandage daily
- Keep the incision/ bandage dry
General Instructions
- Wear your brace at all times when out of bed
- You do not need to sleep in the brace
- The brace may be donned in a sitting position
- The brace should be snug and restrict the movement of your back
- You may shower – unless otherwise instructed
- Do not swim or immerse the incision in water
- You may be more comfortable at home with equipment such as:
- walker
- shower chair
- toilet riser
- Please ask for this equipment before you leave the hospital
- Use the incentive Spirometer (plastic blow box) 4 times per day for 2 weeks
- Walk thirty (30) minutes every morning and evening
- Do not use hand weights
- Walk on easy terrain
- Do not smoke cigarettes or use nicotine products
- Do not use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAID’s) i.e. Motrin, Advil, Naprosyn, ibuprofen, etc.
- Eat a well balanced diet
- Do not drive
- Do not lift anything heavier than 5 pounds
- No strenuous or contact sports
- You may use heating pad or ice pack for comfort, but do not sleep with either heat or ice as they may cause thermal injury
- You will be given a prescription for pain medication; this medication should last until your return visit
- You may only require Tylenol for pain relief
Call Dr. McMorrow if any of the following occur
- You develop a fever (temperature greater than 101.5), chills, nausea, vomiting
- Your incision is red or starts to drain fluid
- Your incision is excessively painful
- You develop excessive back pain
- Your legs become weak or painful
- You are concerned that something is wrong or do not understand activity restrictions
Return Visit
- You will be seen in clinic 2 weeks after surgery
- Call office if you do not have 2-week follow-up visit scheduled
- You will need X-rays prior to your office visit
- Bring all your medications to follow-up visits
Subsequent Care
- Please take Vitamin D3 as prescribed
- Bone Growth Stimulator, wear device daily as instructed
- Do not have dental procedures for 6 months post op; after 6 months you will need antibiotics prior to dental procedures