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Questions After Surgery What do I do about the dressing on the incision? When can I shower? When can I drive a car? When can I ride in a car? How far can I walk? When can I soak in the bath, spa or pool? What does drainage from my wound mean? When can I resume my blood thinner medications? When can I resume my anti-inflammatory medications? Will I need physical therapy? What do I do about the dressing on the incision? Follow the dressing change instructions in the "Instructions After Spine Surgery" instruction sheet.Keep the wound dry at all times, until Dr. Davis says you can get it wet (usually ten to twenty days after surgery). Clean it with Betadyne, and apply a new dry dressing at least once a day, more often if there is drainage When can I shower? If you cover the incision and bandages with plastic and tape the edges, you may shower 48 hours after surgery. If the wound gets moist, dry immediately with a hair dryer, and replace the dressing with a dry one. Do not soak the incision or allow it to remain moist. Dr. Davis will advise you when you can get it wet at the first follow up visit (usually ten to twenty days after surgery).When can I drive a car? Disk surgery patients should not drive for ten days.Laminectomy patients should not drive for three to four weeks. Fusion patients should not drive for six weeks. Neck fusion patients should not drive for six weeks. Do not drive while under the influence of post-operative narcotics, sedatives, and/or muscle relaxants. When can I ride in a car? Generally, follow the same restrictions as for driving, except you may go to and from the doctor's office as a passenger, as soon as discharged from the hospital. How far can I walk? Generally, the answer is "As far as you want, safely." Certain restrictions may apply that will be given at your follow up appointments. When can I soak in the bath, spa or pool? To be safe, Dr. Davis advises no soaking of the incision in water for thirty days after surgery. If you have wound healing problems, this time may need to be extended. What does drainage from my wound mean? A small amount of drainage is normal. Pale yellow discharge is usually benign. Increasing amounts of discharge can be an indication of a wound healing problem, hematoma, and infection. Copious clear fluid drainage usually means spinal fluid leakage. Please call Dr. Davis's office if you have progressively more drainage from your wound. When can I resume my blood thinner medications? Dr. Davis will usually advise that you begin blood thinners 48 hours after your surgery, if all signs of bleeding have ceased and the drains are out. Aspirin should not be taken for three months after a fusion surgery. Consult your primary physician for alternatives to aspirin during that period. When can I resume my anti-inflammatory medications? Dr. Davis will usually advise that you begin anti-inflammatory medications 48 hours after your surgery, if all signs of bleeding have ceased and the drains are out. However, you should not take anti-inflammatories (NSAIDS) for three months after a fusion surgery. Dr. Davis will discuss alternatives to NSAIDS if you have had a fusion and need pain medication. Will I need physical therapy? You may need physical therapy in the hospital or rehabilitation center. However, outpatient physical therapy is rarely advised right after back surgery. Generally, Dr. Davis will not prescribe therapy until after the soft tissue and bone have had a chance to heal. BACK |
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