Home Care after Cervical Spinal Fusion
Doctor: ______________________________________________
Activity
You will need to give your body time to heal. Below is a list of activities you should follow.
For patients with a brace
For the first six weeks, you must wear your neck brace at all times even when you shower and sleep. When you return for your 1st clinic visit you may be given a soft collar to be worn in place of the brace. You may shower 5 days after surgery with your brace on and padding removed. To removed padding, follow the instructions shown to you at the time your brace was fitted.
For patients with a soft collar
For the first 2 weeks, you must wear your soft collar at all times, except when you shower. You may shower 5 days after surgery. Remove your collar after you are in the shower, but try to keep the collar dry. After 2 weeks, use the collar for comfort as needed.
For all patients
No sports except for walking and, in some cases, using an exercise bike. There are no limits on stair climbing or sitting. Use your comfort level as a guide as to the length of time you are able to sit or climb stairs. Most patients find a change in position after one hour of sitting is needed for comfort.
Sleep either on your back or side, lying with your brace on for the first 6 weeks. Place a cushion under the back or side of your neck.
Limitations
- No driving for the first 2 weeks.
- No lifting more than 10 lb (about 1 gallon of milk) for the first six weeks.
- No sex for the first week. After one week, resume if comfortable.
Return to Work
When you return to work will depend on your recovery and the type of work you do. Discuss this with your doctor before you return to work.
Incision Care
Caring for your incision at home helps to prevent infection.
- Your incision has been closed with sutures under the skin and covered with steri-strips (small pieces of tape) on the skin. The steri strips will slowly peel off as they get wet and when you take a shower.
- Take your temperature twice a day for one week.
When to Call your Doctor
- A temperature of 100.5°F (38.1° C) or greater for 2 consecutive readings, 4 hours apart.
- An increase in pain, redness or swelling around your incision.
- Drainage from your incision.
Pain Management
Pain may occur after surgery. It is common, during the healing phase, to have some pain, numbness, tingling, and/or weakness in your neck or arms. If you have pain once you have returned home, there are many things you can do to decrease the pain. First try ice.
Ice Technique
Ice the back of the neck for 15-20 minutes each hour for four consecutive hours. Do not put the ice directly on the skin. Use a ready-made ice pack or put ice in a plastic bag then wrap the ice pack or bag in a towel before you use it.
You may also need to use pain medicine. If you do need pain pills, take the medicine you were prescribed. Do not increase the dosage without first talking with your doctor or nurse. Eventually, you should no longer need to use pain medicine. If you are still having pain, call the clinic.
Prescription pain pills can cause constipation. A walking program will help prevent constipation. Increase the fiber in your diet and drink a lot of fluid (juice, prune juice, water).
Avoid taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for 3 months (i.e. ibuprofen, Motrin® or Advil®, Aleve®, etc.).
Future Visits
The nursing staff will help you schedule your first post-operative visit at the Spine Clinic. This often occurs in 6 weeks. All other visits will be as needed.
Important Phone Numbers
Spine Clinic: (608) 265-3207 Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
On nights and weekends, this number will give you the paging operator. Ask for the orthopedic resident on call. Give the operator your name and phone number with area code. The doctor will call you back.
For patients who live out of the area, please call: 1-800-323-8942.
The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
Last Updated: 04/15/2008
Copyright © 09/29/2005 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. UWH #4499
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