Postoperative Instructions
- Postoperative Instructions (ALIF)
Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF)
Postoperative instructions
Most of your pain will last three to five days after surgery while inflammation subsides. Healing process takes two weeks for the wound and twelve weeks for bone. It may take up to a year for you to feel all benefits of surgery.
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 taking shower, cover incision with impermeable dressing and change it after the shower; keep incision open to air if no drainage.
- Watch for signs of infection including body temperature higher than 101, local redness or drainage. Call our office if develop any of those signs.
- Minimize use of narcotic medications (Hydrocodone, Oxycodone etc.) as soon as possible, since they lead to drowsiness, confusion, constipation and are addictive.
- It is okay to take Tylenol for pain – do not exceed 3 grams a day to avoid liver damage.
DON’T
- Remember: NO BLT!! for 3 months (no bending, no lifting anything heavier than 5 Lb, 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-containing substitutes (chewing gums, patches etc.) for 3 months after surgery – it stops bone 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): 806-725-2740
After hours call 806-744-7223 and ask to connect you to Dr. Nesterenko’s team.
- Postoperative Instructions (Laminoplasty)
Cervical Laminoplasty
Postoperative instructions
Most of your pains will last three to five days after surgery while inflammation subsides. Healing process takes two weeks for the wound and twelve weeks for bone. It may take up to a year for you to feel all benefits of surgery.
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 directly hitting the incision.
- While taking shower, cover incision with impermeable dressing and change it after the shower; keep incision open to air if no drainage.
- Watch for signs of infection including body temperature higher than 101, local redness or drainage. Call our office if develop any of those signs.
- Minimize use of narcotic medications (Hydrocodone, Oxycodone etc.) as soon as possible, since they lead to drowsiness, confusion, constipation and are addictive.
- It is okay to take Tylenol for pain – do not exceed 3 grams a day to avoid liver damage.
- It’s okay to drive if your neck pain is well controlled and you do not take narcotics.
- Wear soft collar for comfort 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-containing substitutes (chewing gums, patches etc.) for 3 months after surgery – it stops bone healing.
- Do not drive or operate heavy machinery while on pain medications.
How to reach us:
During office hours (8am-5pm): 806-725-2740
After hours call 806-744-7223 and ask to connect you to Dr. Nesterenko’s team.
- Postoperative Instructions (Microdiscrectomy)
Microdiscectomy
Postoperative instructions
Most of your pain will last three to five days after surgery while inflammation subsides. Wound healing takes two weeks. It may take up to a year for you to feel all benefits of surgery.
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 to prevent blood clots and other complications of inactivity.
- It is okay to take shower on day 3 after surgery if there is no drainage. Avoid water hitting the incision.
- While taking shower, cover incision with impermeable dressing and change it after the shower; keep incision open to air if no drainage.
- Watch for signs of infection including body temperature higher than 101, local redness or drainage. Call our office if develop any of those signs.
- Minimize use of narcotic medications (Hydrocodone, Oxycodone etc.) as soon as possible, since they lead to drowsiness, confusion, constipation and are addictive.
- It is okay to take Tylenol for pain – do not exceed 3 grams a day to avoid liver damage.
DON’T
- Remember: “NO BLT!!” for 6 weeks (no bending, no lifting anything heavier than 5 Lb, no twisting); excessive activity may lead to recurrence of disc 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): 806-725-2740
After hours call 806-744-7223 and ask to connect you to Dr. Nesterenko’s team.
- Postoperative Instructions (LLIF)
Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion (LLIF)
Postoperative instructions
Most of your pain will last three to five days after surgery while inflammation subsides. Healing process takes two weeks for the wound and twelve weeks for bone. It may take up to a year for you to feel all benefits of surgery.
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 taking shower, cover incision with impermeable dressing and change it after the shower; keep incision open to air if no drainage.
- Watch for signs of infection including body temperature higher than 101, local redness or drainage. Call our office if 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 (no bending, no lifting anything heavier than 5 Lb, 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-containing substitutes (chewing gums, patches etc.) for 3 months after surgery – it stops bone 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): 806-725-2740
After hours call 806-744-7223 and ask to connect you to Dr. Nesterenko’s team.
- Postoperative instructions (TLIF)
Spinal fusion (including TLIF)
Postoperative instructions
Most of your pain will last three to five days after surgery while inflammation subsides. Healing process takes two weeks for the wound and twelve weeks for bone. It may take up to a year for you to feel all benefits of surgery.
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 to prevent blood clots and other complications of inactivity.
- It is okay to take shower on day 5 after surgery. Avoid water hitting the incision.
- While taking shower, cover incision with impermeable dressing and change it after the shower; keep incision open to air if no drainage.
- Watch for signs of infection including body temperature higher than 101, local redness or drainage. Call our office if develop any of those signs.
- Minimize use of narcotic medications (Hydrocodone, Oxycodone etc.) as soon as possible, since they lead to drowsiness, confusion, constipation and are addictive.
- t is okay to take Tylenol for pain – do not exceed 3 grams a day to avoid liver damage.
DON’T
- Remember: NO BLT!! for 3 months (no Bending, no Lifting more than 5 Lb, 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-containing substitutes (chewing gums, patches etc.) for 3 months after surgery – it stops bone 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): 806-725-2740
After hours call 806-744-7223 and ask to connect you to Dr. Nesterenko’s team.
- Postoperative instructions (ACDF)
ACDF (Anterior Cervical Decompression and Fusion)
Postoperative instructions
Most of your pains will last three to five days after surgery while inflammation subsides. Sore throat lasts for about a week. Healing process takes two weeks for the wound and twelve weeks for bones. It may take up to a year for you to feel all benefits of surgery.
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 to prevent blood clots and other complications of inactivity.
- It is okay to take shower on day 3 after surgery as long as there is no drainage. Avoid water directly hitting the incision.
- While taking shower, cover incision with impermeable dressing and change it after the shower; keep incision open to air if no drainage.
- Watch for signs of infection including body temperature higher than 101, local redness or drainage. Call our office if develop any of those signs.
- Minimize use of narcotic medications (Hydrocodone, Oxycodone etc.) as soon as possible, since they cause drowsiness, constipation and are addictive.
- It is okay to take Tylenol for pain – not more than 3 grams a day to avoid liver damage. Beware that Vicodin, Norco and Lortab contain Tylenol.
- It’s okay to drive if your pain is well controlled and you do not take narcotics.
- Wear soft collar for comfort 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-containing substitutes (chewing gums, patches etc.) for 3 months after surgery – it stops bone 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): 806-725-2740
After hours line for surgical patients: 806-744-7223
- Postoperative instructions (Sacroiliac joint fusion)
Sacroiliac joint fusion
Postoperative instructions
Surgical site pain typically lasts three to five days. Healing takes two weeks for the wound and twelve weeks for bones. It may take up to a year for you to feel all benefits of surgery.
Here is the list of DOs and DON’Ts you should know after surgery:
DO:
- Follow the instructions from physical therapy on partial weight bearing and use of a walker.
- Stay active and walk regularly to maintain your muscle strength and decrease the risk of blood clots.
- It is okay to take shower on day 3 after surgery as long as there is no drainage from the incision site. Don’t let water to directly hit the incision.
- While taking shower, cover the incision with an impermeable dressing and change it after the shower; keep incision open to air if no drainage.
- Watch for signs of infection including body temperature higher than 101, local redness or drainage. Call our office if develop any of those signs.
- Minimize use of narcotic medications (Hydrocodone, Oxycodone etc.) as soon as possible, since they cause drowsiness, constipation and are addictive.
- It is okay to take Tylenol for pain – not more than 3 grams a day to avoid liver damage. Beware that Vicodin, Norco, and Lortab contain Tylenol.
- It’s okay to drive if your pain is well controlled and you do not take narcotics.
DON’T:
- Do not submerge incision under water until 2 weeks after surgery if internal sutures were used and 2 days after removal of staples.
- Absolutely NO tobacco products or nicotine-containing substitutes (chewing gums, patches etc.) for 3 months after surgery – it stops bone 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): 806-725-2740
After hours call 806-744-7223 and ask to connect you to Dr. Nesterenko’s team.
- Postoperative instructions (Spinal decompression)
Spinal decompression
Postoperative instructions
Most of your pain will last three to five days after surgery while inflammation subsides. Wound healing takes two weeks. It may take up to a year for you to feel all benefits of surgery.
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 to prevent blood clots and other complications of inactivity.
- It is okay to take shower on day 3 after surgery if there is no drainage. Avoid water hitting the incision.
- While taking shower, cover incision with impermeable dressing and change it after the shower; keep incision open to air if no drainage.
- Watch for signs of infection including body temperature higher than 101, local redness or drainage. Call our office if develop any of those signs.
- Minimize use of narcotic medications (Hydrocodone, Oxycodone etc.) as soon as possible, since they lead to drowsiness, confusion, constipation and are addictive.
- It is okay to take Tylenol for pain – do not exceed 3 grams a day to avoid liver damage.
DON’T
- 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): 806-725-2740
After hours call 806-744-7223 and ask to connect you to Dr. Nesterenko’s team.
