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When you leave the recovery room,
you'll be transferred to
a spine care unit.
Your spine nurse and nursing
assistant will greet you there.
Their job is to help manage your
pain in other parts of your care as
you begin your recovery.
Pain is a part of the normal
healing process after surgery.
Our goal is to make you comfortable
enough to do the things needed for
recovery, such as eating, drinking,
sleeping, and moving.
To assess your level of pain,
we'll ask you to judge it based on
a 0 to 10 pain scale, 0 is no pain,
and 10 is the worst pain that
you can imagine.
>> Let's see if we can reposition
you a little bit.
Is it kind of in your lower back,
upper back?
>> Your nurse will talk to you
about your personal pain goal and
pain plan.
These may include medicine and
non-medicine options such as heat,
ice, changing position, walking,
and/or relaxation.
Your surgeon's
team will choose from several types
of medicines to manage your pain.
We'll develop what we call a pain
plan, just for you.
Medicines called
anti-inflammatories reduce soreness
and infection.
Muscle relaxants can help to
decrease tension in the muscles.
Some patients may have stronger
pain medicine, opioids,
available as needed.
At first, pain medicines may go
into your IV, we'll then switch you
to medicines taken by mouth,
which is how you'll take them once
discharged from the hospital.
We'll ask you about your pain often
to check whether your pain plan is
working and to make sure you're not
having serious side effects.
Your vital signs will be
taken every four hours for
at least the first day.
You also may have regular
blood tests,
this helps your provider make
decisions about your treatment.
We'll often take your blood
sample early in the morning, so
the results are ready for
your healthcare team to review.
For many of these activities,
your nurse or
team member may have to wake you.
We understand sleep is
very important, but
your safety is our priority.
We need to monitor you closely for
the first several hours
after surgery to be sure you're
recovering as expected.
Each day at 7 AM and 7 PM, your
nurses will give a report at your
bedside to make sure you're kept up
to date on your plan of care.
After spine surgery, you're at risk
for blood clots forming in your
legs, in addition to getting up and
moving, you may be given medicines
to thin your blood.
You'll also wear sleeves
that are wrapped around your legs,
they'll help pump blood from your
legs back to your heart.
Early in your recovery,
we'll start you on a clear
liquid diet like water, juice, or
broth to prevent an upset stomach.
Soon, you'll be placed on a more
regular diet that'll include foods
that are high in fiber.
A high fiber diet will
help prevent constipation.
Constipation is common after
surgery and especially when taking
pain medicine.
If you're uncomfortable,
please let your care team know.
We usually prescribe a stool
softener and laxatives to help, but
there are other options available
if needed.
After surgery, your health
care team may include a physical
therapist, also known as a PT,
an occupational therapist,
also known as OT, it's likely
you'll be seen by a therapist on
the day following your surgery.
The OT will work with you on
daily tasks like dressing, bathing,
and shower safety.
They may recommend and
show you how to use equipment to
make these tasks easier and safer.
The physical therapist or nurse
will show you how to move in the
bed, sit up, stand and walk without
disturbing the surgery site.
Some patients need a walker or
other device following surgery to
move safely.
Walking often is a very important
part of your recovery,
our goal is for you to get out of
bed within four hours of surgery.
Your nurse or therapist will tell
you when it's safe and
will help you until you're ready to
get up on your own.
We encourage you to walk several
times a day with help.
Walking helps prevent blood clots,
reduce constipation, and
get you home faster.
Depending on the type of surgery
you've had,
you may have restrictions in
the way you can move.
Ask your care team for more
information on any restrictions.
As your body gets stronger, you'll
be taught more advanced skills such
as getting in and out of a car or
climbing stairs, this will help you
get ready to go home.
>> Every couple hours they have
you sitting up,
eventually you stand up, and then
they guide you around the room,
walking a few steps at a time.
Felt safe because they're with you
the whole time you're doing it.
>> My procedure was a lumbar
fusion, I was in the hospital for
two days.
Everybody was, I guess, rooting for
me, if you will, to recover.
>> I spent a week in the hospital,
recovering from the surgery.
They were very attentive and very
helpful in me getting on my feet.
>> He, because of Parkinson's,
stayed in the hospital longer
than some, they had him up.
He was not sitting around at all,
but I never worried,
are they doing too much?
Because I watched him get stronger
and stronger every day.
>> My best advise for
when you're in the hospital,
don't rush it, listen to them,
take your pain meds, don't let
the pain get out of control.
The nurses are excellent.
>> Your comfort and
safety are very important to us.
During your stay, you'll see your
healthcare team washing their hands
before and after they care for you.
Asking you your name and date of
birth, checking your armband before
they give you medicines or
providing care, making sure your
call bell is plugged in and
helping you get up.
Please remember to ask for
help anytime you want to either
go to the bathroom, the sink, or
out into the hallway for a walk.
We ask that you call, don't fall.
While we appreciate visitors
wanting to help you,
be sure you have permission
from your care team.
For your safety,
we encourage you to let us
know if we miss a quality step.
We're partners in your recovery,
please ask questions and
be involved because your voice
matters.
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