Helping someone you love through spine surgery
Short answer. Recovery from major spine surgery takes months, not days. Family members help most in three ways: getting the home ready before surgery, being there for the first two weeks at home, and knowing which warning signs need a call.
Before surgery
- Come to the pre-op visit if you can, with your questions written down.
- Keep one medication list you both carry, including supplements and blood thinners.
- Plan who is home and when. Most people need someone with them full-time for at least the first several days.
- Help with “prehab”: daily walking and stopping nicotine both make recovery easier. Keep any bone medication on schedule.
The hospital days
After adult deformity surgery a typical stay is about a week; in a large multicenter study the median was 7 days. With me, most patients stay 4 to 6 days. Expect getting up with therapists within the first day or two, a pain plan that moves from IV medicine to pills, and a team decision about going home or to rehab first. Hard days are common and don’t mean things are going badly.
Getting-home checklist
Print this and work through it before discharge day.
Home setup
- A clear walking path: no loose rugs, cords or clutter
- A firm chair with arms, hips at or above the knees
- Bed at a comfortable height; sleep on the first floor if stairs are hard
- Shower chair or tub bench, and a handheld shower head if possible
- Raised toilet seat or toilet safety frame
- Reacher, long-handled sponge, slip-on shoes
- Night lights from bed to bathroom
- Everyday items between waist and shoulder height
Supplies and paperwork
- All prescriptions filled before or on discharge day
- Written discharge instructions, and the practice number saved in both phones
- Follow-up appointment dates (the first visit is at about 3 weeks)
- Walker or other equipment, if prescribed
Ride home
- A car seat that reclines slightly; a pillow helps on bumps
Most patients need no brace; some need a neck brace or a brace that protects the top of the fusion. Showering is allowed from day 7. Blood-thinner injections usually continue for about 6 weeks.
The first 6 weeks at home
- Walking is the main job: short walks several times a day, building up gradually.
- Help with restricted movements. For 3 months: no bending, lifting or twisting, and nothing heavier than 10 lb.
- Stay ahead of pain and watch for constipation.
- Expect ups and downs: tiredness, low mood and poor sleep are common.
- Plan for driving. In one study of fusion to the pelvis, patients returned to driving at about 4 months on average.
When to call
Call the practice the same day
- Fever over 101°F (38.3°C), or wound redness, swelling or drainage
- Pain suddenly much worse, or not controlled
- New numbness or tingling in the legs
- No bowel movement for 4 days
Call 911
- Chest pain or sudden shortness of breath
- New leg weakness or loss of bladder or bowel control
- A fall with severe new pain
- Calf swelling or pain with shortness of breath
Taking care of yourself
Caregiving is tiring. Line up a backup person, accept offers of meals or errands, and keep your own appointments. If you’re struggling, tell the care team.
If your teen is the patient
- Plan a gradual return to school with the nurse and counselor; about three-quarters of adolescents are back within 3 months.
- Arrange a second set of books or a locker near class.
- Worry about appearance or missing activities is common; ask about counseling if it lasts.
More background: Scoliosis Research Society patient information srs.org.