Dr. Birney's Post Op Instructions

DR. BIRNEY’SPOSTOPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS(303) 321-1333 orToll free 1-888-900-1333 (outside Denver)www.western-ortho.comI. FIRST 4 WEEKS' GUIDELINES FOR BACK CARE AFTER SPINAL SURGERY1. Minimal bending or twisting at the waist.2. No lifting greater than 10 pounds.3. No riding or driving in a vehicle for 4 weeks, other than what is necessary to attenddoctor's appointments.4. Limit sitting to 30 minutes per occasion, always with good lumbar support,alternating with standing, walking, and lying down to rest.5. Other than the exercises provided to you while an inpatient in the hospital, dailywalking should form the basis of your exercise regimen. Begin by walking for briefperiods of time frequently throughout the day, and then advance to more briskwalking for gradually increasing periods of time, with a goal of walking continuouslyat a brisk pace for 20-30 minutes at a time two or even three times per day.Checking your pulse during and after walks can be helpful to ensure appropriatecardiovascular benefit.6. If you have been instructed to wear a back brace or corset, this should be wornwhenever up and about and when seated. It is not necessary to wear yourexternal support when lying down to rest.7. If you were discharged with an assistive device for walking, such as a walker or acane(s), phase out use of your assistive device with time as your comfort level andsteadiness with ambulation improve.8. Spinal fusion patients should not take any anti-inflammatory medications otherthan Tylenol in that such medications may interfere with bone formation.9. Eat a well-balanced diet with adequate amounts of protein as well as calcium andVitamin D. Most multi-vitamins contain the recommended daily allowance ofVitamin D, but not a sufficient amount of Calcium. Therefore, a Calciumsupplement may be used at a recommended dose of 1200-1500 mg of Calcium perday.

10. Please refrain from sexual activity for the first 4-6 weeks after surgery. At the endof that time if you desire more specific information regarding appropriate sexualactivity, please request from Dr. Birney the pamphlet, "Easing Back Pain DuringSex".II. WOUND CARE1. During the first two weeks after surgery, all patients should shower facing theshower spray. A dry sterile dressing is required for your incision only if you haveongoing wound drainage.2. After two weeks from surgery, patients may shower and get the incision wet. Theincision may be gently washed with warm soapy water and then dried immediately.3. Please make a follow-up appointment at two weeks post-op for a wound checkand/or suture removal with Dr. Birney, one of his associates, or your localphysician. Subsequently all patients may shower normally. Submerging theincision, such as when bathing, should be postponed until 21 days or later postop.4. Signs and symptoms of infection to be aware of include increasing incisional pain,increasing wound swelling, increased incisional warmth, redness and/or purulentdrainage. Occasionally such signs may also be accompanied by fever or chills.Should any signs or symptoms of infection arise, please contact Dr. Birney promptlyfor re-evaluation.