AFTER LUMBAR FUSION SURGERY
- You should move around as much as is comfortable for you.
- You will be given analgesics (Oxycontin, Endone, Morphine, Pethidine etc.).
- You will be given intravenous antibiotics for 1-3 days.
- The nurse will conduct spinal observation in the first 24 hours.
- The wound drain and urinary catheter will be removed on the day following your surgery.
- You will be able to move around from day one unless instructed not to.
- Your dressing will be changed into a waterproof dressing. You will be able to shower with the dressing on and after 5 days you can remove the dressing and shower with the wound exposed. The stitches are dissolvable. Allow the steri-strips (adhesive) to fall off.
- You will be given a prescription for analgesics on discharge.
- The average hospital stay after fusion is 5-7 days.
- You will need to visit your family doctor in one week to check on the wound and to see Dr Darwish in 4 weeks unless informed otherwise.
- You can walk as much as you want after surgery. You should avoid lifting objects heavier than 5 kg and should avoid bending and twisting your back for a few weeks. Dr Darwish will refer you for physiotherapy 2-4 weeks after surgery.