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The entire surgical process – from deciding to have surgery
through recovery – can be a thoroughly stressful time. To help
reduce your stress levels as much as possible, here’s a checklist
of what you’ll need while recovering from surgery, both in
the hospital and while recuperating at home.
While this is written specifically for those
undergoing back surgery (and particularly fusion surgery), many of
these tips will apply to recovery from just about any type of surgery
and hospital stay.
- Crocs. You will want to wear slip
on shoes for several weeks (and maybe more) following the surgery
so you don’t have
to bend over to tie your shoes. Any slip on shoes will work. Crocs
are a favorite – they are easy to get on, have some grip
on the sole, and can be worn indoors and out. They are useful in
the hospital, as you will be encouraged to get up and walk around
as much as tolerated soon after the surgery.
- Ice packs. Ice is a valuable pain reliever.
Applying an ice pack to the numb the painful area will go a long
way to easing pain and discomfort. An ice massage can be very soothing.
If your doctor or nurse doesn’t
bring it up, you should ask about how to use ice or cold packs
for pain control – it
really helps! The hospital will probably have ice packs, but you
may want to bring some just in case.
- Sports bottle. You’ll
be encouraged to drink a lot of liquids while in the hospital,
and if you don’t want to
have to sit up for each sip, bring a sports bottle with a squirt
top so that you can drink while lying down or reclining without
spilling all over yourself.
- Laxatives and/or stool softeners. Chances
are your doctor won’t bring up this subject, but it will
be an important issue to you following the surgery. Post operative
constipation is a common occurrence and it can be a major source
of pain and discomfort. Prune juice, apple cider, and/or over-the-counter
laxatives and stool softeners will all help prevent postoperative
constipation. Your hospital will likely provide these, but you
may want to bring them just to play it safe.
- Practice
the log roll. You’re going to need to learn
how to get into and out of bed safely, and a log roll technique
will do the trick. It’s best to ask about this before the
surgery so you can practice a bit and get the hang of it without
any pressure or fear of pain. Many say that getting in and out
of bed after fusion surgery is one of the most intimidating and
difficult aspects of the recovery process.
- Trash bags. Putting a trash bag on the bed will reduce the friction so you
slide more easily onto the bed. Also, you’ll
want a trash bag to put on the car seat for the ride home.
Recuperating
at home
In addition to everything from the above list
(except maybe the ear plugs), you will need a few things to help
with your recovery at home, such as:
- Mini-fridge. Especially after a spine fusion, you probably
won’t want to be running up and down the stairs during your
recovery. A mini-fridge in your room allows you to stock up on
water, juice and other essentials for the day. A cheaper alternative
is a cooler that can be filled with ice packs or ice to keep your
juice and snacks cool.
- Wireless. This is a luxury worth mentioning.
A wireless Internet connection will allow you to have your laptop
in bed with you to keep in touch. For many, it’s helpful
to be able to log onto supportive and informative discussion forums
while recovering.
- Grabber. After lumbar spine fusion, it is likely
that you will be told not to bend over or reach up for anything
for awhile. A simple grabber can an help you pick up stuff off
the floor and reach for things from an upper shelf. They can usually
be found at stores like Walgreens or Walmart (in the pharmacy area)
for around $10.
- Trash bags. Putting a trash bag on the bed (and
recliner, and car seat…) will grease the skids, so to speak, and allow
you to slide in and out with less friction.
· Heating pads. Starting about two days after surgery,
the doctor may allow you to use heating pads to alleviate local
pain and discomfort.
- A squeeze bottle. After a fusion surgery it’s
tough to twist or reach, even just to clean up after a BM. You
can use a squeeze bottle filled with warm water (many women who
have given birth vaginally will have done this). Moist wipes also
work well, and if necessary you can use a pair of tongs (also available
at most pharmacies) to hold onto the wipes so you don’t have
to reach.
- Extra pillows. A few well placed pillows add
support. Try placing one under your knees while lying on your back
or in a reclining position (this takes stress off the low back),
and use firm pillows to prop you up to a reclining position while
in bed. If you’re a side sleeper, you’ll want a pillow
to tuck between your knees to keep your low back at rest.
- Shower
mat. So you won’t slip in the shower.
- Shower brush
with long handle. To clean without bending, twisting or
reaching. You can get liquid soap (and liquid moisturizer, like
Dove) to pour on the brush.
- Recliner or extra cushion. In the weeks
following surgery, sitting can be painful or uncomfortable. It
is best to avoid sitting for long periods. A recliner can help
ease pressure on the low back, and sitting on something cushioned,
such as an inflatable donut pillow or hemorrhoid pillow, can make
sitting more tolerable.
Other things you may need (and/or may want to discuss with your
doctor):
- Shower seat and handicap rails in the shower. Not
everyone needs these, but it is something you may want to discuss
with your doctor.
- Toilet riser. This will help immensely
with going to the bathroom, especially if you’re a female
and drinking all the liquids you’re supposed to! The ones
with hand rails to lean on are most helpful.
- Cane or walker. You
may feel more comfortable walking with some added stability, and
if so discuss getting a cane or walker with your doctor.
Devices such as a shower chair, toilet seat riser
and walker or cane are usually covered by insurance, so check with
your doctor and have it sent home with you from the hospital if its
possible. These types of equipment are also available to rent or
buy from most medical supply stores, and are often available second
hand (and inexpensively) at Salvation Army or other resale stores.
Prepare your home
When recovering from back surgery, it is best to change a few things
around in your house to ease your way back in to daily life.
- Put stuff where you can reach it. It helps to put the
stuff you use daily (toothbrush, plates and cups, pajamas, etc.)
on shelves that are around waist level high so that you don’t
have to reach up or down at all.
- Have meals ready. Make meals
ahead of time and freeze, or buy healthy microwaveable meals and
snacks, so you don’t
have to do any food prep. Frequent small meals throughout the day
are best to help deter constipation.
- Avoid the dishes. Use paper
plates, silverware, and cups so you’ll have less cleanup
to do. You won’t want to
be bending over the sink to wash the dishes or to stack the dishwasher
right after a fusion.
- T-shirts. If your doctor will prescribe
a postoperative brace, make sure you have plenty of clean, well-fitted
cotton t-shirts or tank tops to wear under your brace. Ideally,
you can wear the brace before the surgery in order to get used
to it.
- Raise your bed. You may want to raise your bed up a bit
to make it easier to get into and out of. You can place sturdy
storage bins under the bed frame to act as blocks.
- Subcontract
the laundry. You won’t be able to do laundry – or
any chores that require bending or reaching - for awhile. My suggestion
is to put someone else squarely in charge of the laundry, even
if that means you have to pay extra to send it out to a dry cleaner
who will wash and fold it for you.
- Don’t trip! Remove anything
you might trip on, such as throw rugs. Try to make sure someone
else is responsible for picking up shoes and other items you could
trip on while you’re getting
used to walking around.
Getting the OK to Leave the Hospital
After spine surgery, most patients need to remain
in the hospital for a few days. During that time, you will gradually
increase the amount of time you are up and walking before you can
be discharged. Before getting the okay to go home, your doctor will
also make sure you have normal vital signs and bladder function,
you can eat without feeling nauseous, and there are no signs of infection
at the incision site.
Recovery at Home
Upon discharge, your doctor will give you detailed
instructions about what activities you can and cannot do. Follow
these instructions carefully. Remember, some discomfort is normal,
but pain is a signal to slow down and rest.
Once home, you will be strongly encouraged to
do the following:
- Avoid sitting and standing for long periods
of time. Change positions frequently to avoid muscle spasms and
leg cramps.
- Get plenty of rest but do not spend all
of your time in bed. If possible, take short naps during
the day. Sleeping on your side, with the knees bent or with a
pillow between the knees is the best way to maintain spinal alignment.
Stiffness in your back upon waking is common. Try taking a short
walk or a warm shower to relieve a stiff back.
- Take care of your incision by washing
the area (do not scrub) and gently patting it dry. If
your stitches were removed before you left the hospital, you
do not need to keep the incision covered. Signs of infection
like swelling, redness or draining at the incision site, and
fever should be checked out by the surgeon immediately.
- Establish a daily low-impact exercise
program. Walking, and slowly increasing the distance
each day, is the best exercise after spinal surgery. Daily exercise
is important for recovery and to build strength and maintain
muscle tone. It is also a great way to control your weight. Excess
weight places a lot of strain on the back and is not good for
your overall health.
- Establish
a balanced, low-fat diet rich in fresh vegetables and fruit. Since
you will be less active during your recovery, avoid heavy, fattening
foods and foods that are high in calories. Eating well is essential
for a successful recovery and will help keep your weight under
control after your recovery is over.
- See your doctor for a
post-operative checkup. At this visit, your physician
will be able to tell if your recovery is going well. Talk to
your doctor about returning to work, especially if your job requires
a lot of bending, lifting, standing, or twisting. Your doctor
will also be able to tell you if it is okay to resume normal
activities such as driving or playing sports.
> > Back to
Recovering from Surgery
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Rocky Mountain Orthopaedic Associates Physicians:
Kirk D. Clifford, MD
Mary Beth Deering, MD
Michael P. Dohm, MD
Michael Dolecki, MD
David P. Fisher, MD
Robert L. Frazho, MD
James S. Gebhard, MD
Steven J. Heil, MD
Sandra A. Horvath-Dori, MD
Michael J. Huang, MD
Mark G. Luker, MD
David M. Mayer, MD
Jeffrey M. Nakano, MD
Michael T. Reeder, DO
Michael D. Rooks, MD
James K. Weaver, MD
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