Minimally Invasive Lumbar Surgery - Recovery

Incision Care

  • Your incision is closed with sutures (also called “stitches”) on the inside of your skin.  These are absorbed over time by your body.  The outside of your skin is closed with a skin glue.  The skin glue will eventually come off in its own time.  
  • Sometimes patients may need sutures on the outside of their skin.  If you have sutures on the outside, these will be removed at your follow up appointment.  These should be removed 10-14 days after your surgery.
  • You may take a shower the day after your surgery.  Do not scrub your wound, but gently cleanse it and pat dry. 
  • If you have sutures on the outside of your skin, wait 3 days before showering.
  • Do not submerge into water or a tub for 6 weeks. 
  • Leave the wound open to dry unless otherwise directed.
  • It is normal to have a small amount of brown to reddish colored ooze for a few days.
  • Do not apply ointments or creams to the incision. 
  • Ice the incision twice a day for 20 minutes at a time for the first week.  This will help with pain and swelling. 
  • If your incision is exposed to sunlight in the first 6 months following surgery, please make sure to place sunscreen on the incision to avoid discoloration of the scar.

Pain Expectations

  • It is normal to expect pain after back surgery.  That is why we prescribe medication to ease you through the healing process.
  • After surgery, common pain areas are in the low back and around the incision.  
  • This pain will get better with time as your body heals, so it is important to be patient as your body is healing.
  • Many patients report that their prior back pain and/or leg pain is much improved soon after surgery
  • It is normal to have a sore throat after endotracheal intubation, and this will improve over the week after surgery. 

Medications

  • You will be given prescriptions for a pain medication and a muscle relaxer. 
  • Do not take pain medication on an empty stomach.  This may make you feel nauseated. 
  • Do not drink alcohol if you are taking pain medication.
  • If you feel that your pain is well tolerated, you may begin to wean yourself off of your pain medication sooner than your post-op visit.
  • Please note that Dr Grunch’s office will not prescribe narcotic pain medications for > 6 weeks after surgery. If your pain still requires narcotics, you will be referred to a pain management provider.
  • Because pain medication can cause constipation, it is important to have stool softeners and laxatives at home such as Colace or Senna to prevent constipation.
  • Take the stool softener daily and use the laxative as needed
  • If you still have constipation after using these medicines, you may use an over-the-counter suppository or enema.  

Medications to avoid

  • NO blood thinners such as Aspirin, Coumadin, Warfarin, Xarelto, Plavix, etc.  for 5-7 days after your surgery.  We will tell you when you may resume your blood thinners.  

Therapy 

  • When you are at home, walk between 30-60 minutes a day, but not all at the same time.   Divide your walks into smaller intervals of 10-15 minutes at a time.
  • It is important to walk for your overall recovery for a number of reasons.  Getting out of bed is good for your lungs, it prevents blood clots from forming in your legs, and speeds your recovery.
  • Do not sit for more than 30 minutes at a time.  Move around to prevent your muscles from tightening and becoming stiff, which can lead to more discomfort.

Restrictions

  • Activities such as bending at the waist, lifting >10 lbs, and twisting are restricted during your recovery period, which is about 6 weeks.
  • This means NO household chores such as vacuuming and laundry, hobbies such as golfing, and yard work and gardening.
  • If you have young children or grandchildren, do NOT pick them up.  
  • Allow someone else to help you at home.
  • You may drive as long as you are not taking narcotic pain medication. 
  • It is ok to ride as a passenger if you are taking narcotic pain medication.
  • If you are unable to work due to these restrictions, please let us know if we need to complete any paperwork for your employer. 

Diet

  • It is important to remember to eat and drink fluids so that your body may properly heal.
  • If you are experiencing nausea, follow a “BRAT diet” which is Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast and advance as tolerated

Smoking 

  • Smoking constricts your blood vessels which carry oxygen and nutrients to your healing bone and muscles.  
  • Carefully consider quitting smoking during this time.  If you would like help in smoking cessation, please let us know.

Sexual Activity

  • Back and neck pain can interfere with your sex life, but we want you to resume normal relations with your partner as soon as possible after surgery.  We recommend avoiding sex for 6 weeks after surgery.  Once you have begun the healing process, use the position that is most comfortable.  You may find that lying on your back is the most comfortable if you can support your partner’s weight or your partner can support him/her self with arms and knees.  Side lying may also be comfortable since neither partner is bearing the burden of the weight. Decide if a small pillow at the waist is helpful in supporting the spine and you will probably want a pillow located under your neck and head.  Be careful not to twist the lower back.  Be sure you communicate your fears and concerns with your partner before you resume sexual relations.

Call our office if you have any of these symptoms:

  • Fever > 101 degrees 
  • Constipation that is not relieved by stool medications 
  • Redness, warmth, or significant drainage from your incision
  • Shortness of breath or Chest Pain 
  • Pain, swelling, or redness in your calves
  • Unexplained incontinence or accidents involving your bladder or bowel, or if you are unable to urinate
  • Worsening back or leg pain than before surgery

Follow up appointment

  • We have scheduled a follow up appointment for you that is about 2-3 weeks after your surgery
  • You will be provided with a card listing the date and time
  • If you need this appointment changed, please call our office 

If you are experiencing any problems or have any questions, please call Stacey at 678-207-4231

 

 

6 Tips for Recovery from Spine Surgery

1. Put commonly used items within reach.

In the early stages of recovery from spine surgery, patients should avoid bending, lifting, and twisting.  It is helpful to place items you use daily on the countertops or shelves where you can easily reach them.  Keep toiletry items near the sink.  Place dishes on the kitchen counter.  You may choose to purchase disposable plates, cups, and cutlery to avoid the need to wash dished for the first few days after you return home.  

2. Arrange for someone to stay with you.

If you live alone, it is a good idea to have a friend or family member stay with you for the first few days after surgery.  You may need help with errands or getting around the house.  If you require more extensive help after surgery, Dr. Grunch may arrange for home health services.  

3. Prepare meals ahead of time.

It can be difficult to prepare healthy meals the first few days you are recovering from back surgery.  Prepare your meals ahead of time that you can keep in your freezer.  You should also stock your refrigerator and pantry with healthy snacks so you are not tempted to reach for unhealthy convenience foods. 

4. Items like slip-on shoes and grabbers can help to avoid bending.

Bending is restricted after surgery.  You may want to have shoes that you can easily slip on to avoid bending over to tie your shoes.  If you are doing physical therapy exercises or walking for longer periods of time, you may want to have someone help you lace up your shoes instead of wearing slip-on shoes.  Grabbers are hand-held devices that are about 2-3 feet long and have a grabber on the end to pick up small items.  They can be purchased at large department stores and pharmacies.  

5. Take precautions to avoid slipping.

Patients are encouraged to get up and walk around to avoid stiffness.  You will want to make sure to avoid any slipping hazards in your walking path.  Before surgery, make sure that the areas where you will be walking are clear of tripping hazards.  Electrical cords should be secured and out of the way.  Rugs should be removed or taped down.  A shower mat can help avoid slipping in the shower.  

6. Make sure you have extra pillows for support when sitting or lying down.  

When lying on your back, a pillow placed under the knees can help to take pressure off your lower back.  If you prefer to lay on your side, you can place a pillow between your knees.  Reclining chairs and donut pillows can sometimes help to increase a patient’s comfort while sitting.  

By taking time to prepare yourself and your home before surgery, it will help to ease your mind to know that everything is in place for you when you return home from surgery. 

Nicholas Morrison