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Before | During | After   Spine Surgery

This chart will give you a day by day look at the care you will receive from the time you arrive at the hospital, to when you go home.

Click on the tabs below to view the individual days
Click here for a printable version of the
Patient Care Guide for Spinal Fusion Surgery
Our Patient Care Guide for Spinal Fusion Surgery is in .pdf format. If you do not have the Acrobat Reader it can be downloaded free of charge.

 
  Diet
  • IV started for fluids and medications.
  • May have sips of water or ice cubes ONLY.
  Bathroom Functions
  • Urine output monitored.
  • Catheter put in while in operating room.
  Hygiene
  • Bathed by nurse after surgery.
  • Mouth care by nurse.
  Wound Care and Test or Treatments
  • Temperature, blood pressure, and pulse are monitored frequently.
  • Will have large dressing to back area.
  • Dressing monitored and reinforced as required.
  • May have special Support stocking (TEDS) for circulation.
  Medication Note: All medications to be given by your nurse.
  • Pain Controlled Analgesic (PCA) pump in your IV.
  • May have needles for pain if no PCA pump.
  • Pain Medication - by mouth.
  • Antibiotics in IV in operating room.
  • Will have oxygen.
  Rehabilitation Activities or Exercises
  • Turned in bed every 2 hours with help from nurse.
Hourly exercises until discharged:
  • Deep breathing and coughing with use of breathing device (Incentive Spirometer).
  • Foot and ankle exercises.
  • Will have pillow between legs while lying on side and pillow under knees when lying on back.
  Preparing for Discharge
  • Discharge is expected within 5-7 days.
  Diet
  • Liquid diet as ordered.
  Bathroom Functions
  • Catheter remains.
  • Urine output monitored.
  • Stool softeners started.
  Hygiene
  • Bathed and mouth care by nurse.
  Wound Care and Test or Treatments
  • Blood drawn for testing.
  • Dressing monitored, may be changed.
  • Temperature, blood pressure, pulse monitored frequently.
  • X-ray of back.
  • May be fitted for a back brace, if not already done.
  Medication Note: All medications to be given by your nurse.
  Rehabilitation Activities or Exercises
  • Assessed by Physiotherapist.
  • Exercises while in bed.
  • Continue breathing and coughing exercises.
  • Up in chair with nursing staff and/or physiotherapy staff.
  • Will be taught how to:
    • move in bed safely.
    • get in and out of bed.
  • ALWAYS STAND STRAIGHT AND TALL WHEN SITTING OR WALKING
  • Ice applied to back twice daily.
  Preparing for Discharge
  • Referral to Social Work if needed.
  • Need for other services may be identified by Discharge Planner.
  Diet
  • Continue liquid diet.
  • May have certain foods if ordered by Surgeon.
  • IV removed if drinking & not feeling sick to your stomach.
  Bathroom Functions
  • Catheter remains.
  • Continue stool softeners.
  Hygiene
  • You will bath yourself with some help from the nurse.
  Wound Care and Test or Treatments
  • Dressing changed.
  • Temperature, blood pressure, pulse monitored.
  • Blood drawn for testing.
  Medication Note: All medications to be given by your nurse.
  • PCA pump stopped.
  • Pain medication changes to pills. Remember to ask the nurse for pills if needed.
  • Oxygen removed.
  Rehabilitation Activities or Exercises
  • Exercises in bed.
  • Continue breathing and coughing exercises.
  • Begin at least two walks per day.
  • Transfer in and out of bed frequently.
  • Increase walking distance daily.
  • Ice applied to back twice daily.
  • Continue daily exercises independently.
  Preparing for Discharge
  • Referral to Social Work if needed.
  • Need for other services may be identified by Discharge Planner.
  Diet
  • High fiber diet.
  Bathroom Functions
  • Catheter may be removed.
  • Continue stool softeners.
  • Trips to the bathroom if possible.
  • Must save all urine for nurses inspection.
  • Laxative given at bedtime.
  Hygiene
  • Sponge bathes self with some help.
  Wound Care and Test or Treatments
  • Dressing changed.
  • Blood drawn for testing.
  Medication Note: All medications to be given by your nurse.
  • Continue pain pills.
  Rehabilitation Activities or Exercises
  • Exercises in bed.
  • May have an assessment from Occupational Therapist for safe functioning at home.
  • Increase walking distance daily.
  • Ice applied to back twice daily.
  • Continue breathing and coughing exercises.
  • Continue daily exercises independently.
  Preparing for Discharge
  • Continue discussion of discharge needs with patient / family.
  • Information about community support services discussed with patient / family.
  Diet
  • Continue high fiber diet.
  Bathroom Functions
  • May have suppository if no bowel movement since surgery.
  • Trips to the bathroom like normal.
  Hygiene
  • Bathes self.
  Wound Care and Test or Treatments
  • Change dressing.
  Medication Note: All medications to be given by your nurse.
  • Continue pain pills.
  Rehabilitation Activities or Exercises
  • Exercises in bed.
  • Increase walking distance daily.
  • Ice applied to back twice daily
  • Continue daily exercises independently.
  • Continue breathing and coughing exercises.
  Preparing for Discharge
  • Date of discharge identified.
  • Begin arrangements for service or equipment needs at home.
  Diet
  • Continue high fiber diet.
  Bathroom Functions
  • May have enema if no bowel movement.
  • Trips to the bathroom like normal.
  Hygiene
  • Bathes self.
  Wound Care and Test or Treatments
  • Change dressing.
  Medication Note: All medications to be given by your nurse.
  • Continue pain pills.
  Rehabilitation Activities or Exercises
  • Exercises while in bed.
  • Increase walking distance daily.
  • Ice applied to back twice daily.
  • Walking by self with/or without supervision.
  • Continue daily exercises independently.
  • Able to climb stairs with assistance
  • Continue breathing and coughing exercises.
  Preparing for Discharge
  • Date of discharge identified.
  • Begin arrangements for service or equipment needs at home.
  Diet
  • Plan on high fiber diet while on pain medication at home.
  Bathroom Functions
  • Ask your nurse if stool softeners are recommended with your pain medication.
  Hygiene
  • Shower as directed by surgeon.
  Wound Care and Test or Treatments
  • You will be instructed when to have your staples or clips removed. You will also be told who will remove them.
  Medication Note: All medications to be given by your nurse.
  • Ask your nurse about any changes with your home medications.
  • Get prescriptions for any new medications.
  • Get home medications back from nurse.
  Rehabilitation Activities or Exercises
  • Exercises while in bed daily.
  • Able to put on brace by self. Wear brace at all times (except while sleeping) until follow up visit with Surgeon.
  • Verify you have the requirement medical equipment
  • Able to walk 70-100 m yourself.
  • Able to get in/out of bed with minimal assistance.
  Preparing for Discharge
  • Extra Mural services arranged as needed.
  • Book a follow-up appointment.
  • Community support services confirmed as required.
  • DO NOT DRIVE until follow-up appointment with surgeon.