Postoperative Instructions
Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF)
Postoperative instructions
The worst pain will dissipate within three to five days after surgery while inflammation subsides. The healing process takes two weeks for flesh wounds and up to twelve weeks for bone. It may take up to a year for you to feel all benefits of surgery and enjoy full mobility.
Here is the list of DOs and DON’Ts you should know for postoperative period:
DO
- Stay active, walk regularly to improve your muscle strength and balance and also to prevent blood clots and other complications of inactivity.
- It is okay to shower five days after surgery but try to avoid the spray hitting the incision area.
- While showering, cover the wound area with an impermeable dressing and change it after the shower; try to expose the incision to the open air as much as possible if there are no drainage pipes in place.
- Watch for signs of infection including a body temperature higher than 101, local redness or drainage issues. Call our office immediately if you develop any of those signs.
- It is okay to take Tylenol for pain – do not exceed 3 grams a day to avoid liver damage.
- Minimize use of narcotic medications (Hydrocodone, Oxycodone etc.) as soon as possible, since they lead to drowsiness, confusion, constipation and are addictive.
DON’T
- Remember: NO BLT for 3 months. This means no bending, no lifting anything heavier than 5 Lb and no twisting.
- Do not submerge incision in water until 2 days after removal of staples or 2 weeks after surgery if internal sutures were used.
- Absolutely NO tobacco products or nicotine substitutes (chewing gums, patches etc.) for 3 months after surgery – nicotine can stop bones healing.
- Do not take NSAID’s (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like Motrin, Aleve etc.) for 3 months since they may slow down bone healing.
- Do not drive or operate heavy machinery while on pain medication.
How to reach us:
During office hours (8am-5pm): 806-744-7223 ext. 42740
After hours: calling center 806-744-7223, ask to talk to Dr. Nesterenko
Cervical Laminoplasty
The worst pain will dissipate within three to five days after surgery while inflammation subsides. The healing process takes two weeks for flesh wounds and up to twelve weeks for bone. It may take up to a year for you to feel all benefits of surgery and enjoy full mobility.
Here is the list of DOs and DON’Ts you should know for postoperative period:
DO
- Stay active, walk regularly to improve your muscle strength and balance and also to prevent blood clots and other complications of inactivity.
- It is okay to take shower on day 5 after surgery. Avoid the spray directrly hitting the incision.
- While showering, cover the wound area with an impermeable dressing and change it after the shower; try to expose the incision to the open air as much as possible if there are no drainage pipes in place.
- Watch for signs of infection including a body temperature higher than 101, local redness or drainage issues. Call our office immediately if you develop any of those signs.
- It is okay to take Tylenol for pain – do not exceed 3 grams a day to avoid liver damage.
- Minimize use of narcotic medications (Hydrocodone, Oxycodone etc.) as soon as possible, since they lead to drowsiness, confusion, constipation and are addictive.
- It’s okay to drive if your neck pain is well controlled and you do not take narcotics.
- Wear soft collar for comfort in the early days after surgery.
DON’T
- Avoid excessive range of motion in the neck.
- Do not submerge incision in water until 2 days after removal of staples or 2 weeks after surgery if internal sutures were used.
- Absolutely NO tobacco products or nicotine substitutes (chewing gums, patches etc.) for 3 months after surgery – nicotine can stop bones healing.
- Do not take NSAID’s(nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like Motrin, Aleve etc.) for 3 months since they may slow down bone healing.
- Do not drive or operate heavy machinery while on pain medications.
How to reach us:
During office hours (8am-5pm): 806-744-7223 ext. 42740
After hours: calling center 806-744-7223, ask to talk to Dr. Nesterenko
Microdiscectomy
Postoperative instructions
The worst pain will dissipate within three to five days after surgery while inflammation subsides. The healing process takes two weeks for flesh wounds and up to twelve weeks for bone. It may take up to a year for you to feel all benefits of surgery and enjoy full mobility.
Here is the list of DOs and DON’Ts you should know for postoperative period:
DO
- Stay active, walk regularly to improve your muscle strength and balance and also to prevent blood clots and other complications of inactivity
- It is okay to take shower on day 5 after surgery. Avoid the spray hitting the incision.
- While showering, cover the wound area with an impermeable dressing and change it after the shower; try to expose the incision to the open air as much as possible if there are no drainage pipes in place.
- Watch for signs of infection including a body temperature higher than 101, local redness or drainage issues. Call our office immediately if you develop any of those signs.
- It is okay to take Tylenol for pain – do not exceed 3 grams a day to avoid liver damage.
- Minimize use of narcotic medications (Hydrocodone, Oxycodone etc.) as soon as possible, since they lead to drowsiness, confusion, constipation and are addictive.
DON’T
- Remember: NO BLT for 3 months. This means no bending, no lifting anything heavier than 5 Lb and no twisting which may lead to a another disc re-herniation.
- Do not submerge incision in water until 2 days after removal of staples or 2 weeks after surgery if internal sutures were used.
- Do not drive or operate heavy machinery while on pain medications.
How to reach us:
During office hours (8am-5pm): 806-744-7223 ext. 42740
After hours: calling center 806-744-7223, ask to talk to Dr.Nesterenko
Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion (LLIF)
Postoperative instructions
The worst pain will dissipate within three to five days after surgery while inflammation subsides. The healing process takes two weeks for flesh wounds and up to twelve weeks for bone. It may take up to a year for you to feel all benefits of surgery and enjoy full mobility.
Here is the list of DOs and DON’Ts you should know for postoperative period:
DO
- Stay active, walk regularly to improve your muscle strength and balance and also to prevent blood clots and other complications of inactivity.
- It is okay to take shower on day 5 after surgery. Avoid the spray hitting the incision.
- While showering, cover the wound area with an impermeable dressing and change it after the shower; try to expose the incision to the open air as much as possible if there are no drainage pipes in place.
- Watch for signs of infection including a body temperature higher than 101, local redness or drainage issues. Call our office immediately if you develop any of those signs.
- Leave incision open to air if there is no drainage.
- It is okay to take Tylenol for pain – do not exceed 3 grams a day to avoid liver damage.
- Minimize use of narcotic medications (Hydrocodone, Oxycodone etc.) as soon as possible, since they lead to drowsiness, confusion, constipation and are addictive.
DON’T
- Remember: NO BLT for 3 months. This means no bending, no lifting anything heavier than 5 Lb and no twisting.
- Do not submerge incisions in water until 2 days after removal of staples or 2 weeks after surgery if internal sutures were used.
- Absolutely NO tobacco products or nicotine substitutes (chewing gums, patches etc.) for 3 months after surgery – nicotine can stop bones healing.
- Do not take NSAID’s (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like Motrin, Aleve etc.) for 3 months since they may slow down bone healing.
- Do not drive or operate heavy machinery while on pain medications.
How to reach us:
During office hours (8am-5pm): 806-744-7223 ext. 42740
After hours: calling center 806-744-7223, ask to talk to Dr.Nesterenko
