Lumbar Fusion Discharge Instructions

This information is being given to you to at the time of your discharge from the hospital to provide you with instructions for your care at home

A post-operative follow-up office visit should have been scheduled for you at the time you set up your surgery. It is generally 12 to 14 days after surgery. If you are unsure of the date and time or just need to move your appointment, please call our office at 813-814-9251.
We now use a dressing called Silverlon. It is made to get wet. Please shower with the dressing, and pat it dry. Do not remove the original dressing, it will be removed in the office on the followup visit.
Your incision is usually closed with staples or sutures. At the followup office visit, we will inspect the wound, and remove any sutures or staples. We will give further wound care instruction at that time.
Following surgery, Dr. Shim may have prescribed you a back brace to wear. Please leave the brace on all the time except for daily hygiene or unless otherwise directed. Unless otherwise directed, you may remove your brace while sleeping.
At the time of discharge, you will be given a prescription for pain medication for use at home. Follow the instructions given when taking this medication. Do not take more than is prescribed. If you feel that you don’t need the medicine, simply avoid taking it. If the medication makes you sick in any way or is not working for you, please call our office during the day to change your medication.
It is not uncommon to have any of the following symptoms after surgery:
- Residual back and / or leg pain
- Tingling in the legs or feet
- Muscle spasms and tightness
- These symptoms tend to resolve over time. Please let Dr. Shim and / or his physician assistant know at the time of your first post-operative visit if you have any of the above symptoms.
If you experience any of the following:
- Fevers (above 101.5 degrees), chills, or continuous sweats
- Drainage from your surgical incision
- Redness around incision site
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Increasing pain or numbness
- Please call the office and speak with our clinical staff to inform them of your symptoms.
Avoid smoking after surgery. Smoking has been shown to slow the rate of wound and bone healing.
Following surgery, you are encouraged to walk frequently. Avoid sitting or lying down for prolonged periods as this tends to increased your level of discomfort. Try to continuously change your position whether you are walking, sitting, or standing. Avoid bending at the waist, any type of lifting, pushing, pulling, and squatting. Return to work will be discussed on the first followup visit.
Most importantly, RELAX….. be patient as your back begins to heal. It may take a few weeks before your overall pain and symptoms settle.