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Post Op Lumbar Fusion

Post Op in the Hospital

Recovery Room (PACU) (first few hours after surgery)

  • Your exam and pain level are closely monitored

  • Supplemental oxygen is normal during this stage

  • Taking deep breaths will improve your lungs' recovery

  • Compression stockings are used to prevent blood clots 

  • Urine (Foley) catheter used to monitor output

  • The incision in the lower back will have absorbable sutures under the skin, with surgical glue on the skin surface.  

  • There will be a drain tubing near the incision to drain expected residual seepage

  • Pain medicine and other Rx via I.V. (intravenous route)

  • Back pain and stiffness is expected

  • Your pre-op leg pain should be much improved when you wake up from surgery, but you may have some numbness and any weakness that you had pre-op

  • Visitation in the Recovery Room is very limited

  • You may need to wear a back brace

 

Surgery Floor bed (1-3 days)

  • Continue compression stockings while in bed

  • Subcutaneous Heparin is started to prevent blood clots

  • Urine (Foley) catheter removed within 1-2 days

  • Drainage tubing removed within 2-3 days

  • Advance to regular diet as throat soreness improves

  • Ambulate in the hallways as much as tolerated

  • May shower after drain tubing is removed

  • Antibiotics are taken for 24 hours after surgery or until the drain is removed

  • Transition pain medicine and other Rx to oral route when pain improves over the first few days

  • Pain medications cause constipation, which may require laxatives.  

  • Significant back pain and muscle tightness is common

  • Pre-op leg pain should be much improved

  • Evaluation by physical therapist prior to leaving the hospital (to home vs to rehab center)

Recovery at Home

First 10 to 14 days:

  • Back pain and stiffness is expected

  • Shower every day once you are home

  • You do not have to cover the incision site

  • No bath/pools/soaking back for 2 months

  • Swelling peaks around 3-4 days after surgery and then slowly gets better in 1-2 weeks, so your discomfort may worsen after surgery before slowly improving

  • Limit exertion to less than 10 pounds of lifting

  • Start walking at least 30 minutes every day

  • Numbness and Weakness may persist

  • Neurosurgery visit 10-14 days after surgery for a quick (5 minute) incision site check.  No suture/staple removal required.

  • If back brace is given, wear it when out of bed

  • Safe to drive when off of prescription pain meds

 

1 to 2 Months post op:

  • Increase activities, bending (lifting limit is 20 lbs)

  • Post op pain/stiffness is still expected, but it should slowly decrease by the end of this time

  • Numbness and weakness are likely to persist

 

3 Months post op:

  • Neurosurgery visit 3 months after surgery 

  • Lumbar xrays prior to the 3 month visit

  • Any weakness should be improving

  • Numbness may take 3-6 months to recover

  • May increase lifting and activities gradually back to baseline activities prior to surgery

  • Back brace is usually weaned off

©2018 by Quoc-Anh Thai, MD, Neurosurgeon.

Disclaimer: This is an independent, privately funded personal website, and the information/opinions contained in the website do not represent any hospital, health system, nor its affiliates and/or administration and are not necessarily endorsed by the aforementioned. This website provides general information only and does not claim to offer any form of diagnosis, treatment, nor state/imply any formation of a doctor-patient relationship nor the practice of telemedicine.  Formal doctor-patient relationship and neurosurgery care can only be done in person, without exception.  The site makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, nor timeliness of the information, and users agree that the website and anyone affiliated with the website will not be liable for any errors, omission, or usage that is not intended and in replacement of proper healthcare. All health related questions pertaining to you should be handled by your physician. 

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