Discharge instructions for patients having low back surgery
Activity Instructions:
 If you underwent a fusion, limit walking to one hour throughout the whole day until your first post-operative visit.
Avoid activities such as lifting, pulling, twisting or pushing until your first post-operative visit.
Avoid running, jogging or bicycle riding for the first two weeks until your first post-operative visit.
Gradually increase your activities and let your comfort be your guide. Walking is good exercise. Please stay on level ground as much as possible for the first two weeks.
If seen by a physical therapist during your hospital stay, continue performing the exercises taught to you.
It is not unusual to have intermittent pain in the affected leg after surgery, as often times the nerve has been bruised by the pressure of the disc herniation pressing against it. This bruising of a nerve takes several weeks to resolve.
As you become more active, you may experience an increase in discomfort, including numbness and occasional leg pain, so do not become alarmed.
Sexual relations may be resumed at your discretion.
Wound Instructions:
If your incision has Dermabond® (glue), you may bathe or shower at any time after surgery.
If you have stitches/staples that can be seen, avoid soaking the incision. You may shower if you cover the incision with plastic wrap and tape.
Remove your dressing on the second post-operative day and leave open to air. If there is drainage from the wound, i.e. blood, recover the wound.
Medication Instructions:
At the time of your discharge, you will be given a prescription for pain medicine. Please contact our office for refill authorization. Please note: we do not take prescription calls on weekends or holidays.
Instructions For When To Call:
Please call our office at 801-387-6520 if you develop any of the following (office hours are Monday-Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.):
- Fever (over 101.5°), chills, or sweats.
- A purulent (pus) discharge from your incision. (A small amount of puffiness and numbness around the area of the incision is normal.)
- New pain or weakness that began after you left the hospital.
- New bowel or bladder difficulty.
- Excessive swelling or difficulty breathing and swallowing.
Call the office within three days of discharge to schedule your post-operative office visit which can be between two to three weeks of your discharge.
In case of an emergency after business hours, please contact me at the phone number given to you at the time of discharge OR go to the nearest emergency room.
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Discharge instructions for patients having Neck Surgery
Activity Instructions:
Unless otherwise instructed, no collar is required.
No special pillow is needed.
Avoid strenuous activity such as lifting, pulling, or pushing. Avoid any activities that involve straining your neck for a lengthy time, such as looking down to read a book or working a crossword puzzle.
Avoid running, jogging or bicycle riding.
Gradually increase your activities and let your comfort be your guide. Walking is good exercise.
You can expect a certain degree of discomfort and stiffness in the neck and shoulders, which should gradually improve.
Sexual relations may be resumed at your discretion.
Medication Instructions:
At the time of your discharge, you will be given a prescription for pain medicine. Please contact our office for refill authorization. Please note: we do not take prescription calls on weekends or holidays.
Instructions For When To Call:
Please call our office at 801-387-6520 if you develop any of the following (office hours are Monday-Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.):
- Fever (over 101.5°), chills, or sweats.
- A purulent (pus) discharge from your incision. (A small amount of puffiness and numbness around the area of the incision is normal.)
- New pain or weakness that began after you left the hospital.
- New bowel or bladder difficulty.
- Excessive swelling or difficulty breathing and swallowing.
Call the office within three days of discharge to schedule your post-operative office visit which can be between two to three weeks of your discharge.
In case of an emergency after business hours, please contact me at the phone number given to you at the time of discharge OR go to the nearest emergency room.
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Discharge instructions for patients having Brain Surgery
Activity Instructions:
Avoid activities such as lifting, pulling, or pushing.
Avoid running, jogging or bicycle riding.
Gradually increase your activities and let your comfort be your guide. Walking is good exercise and can increase your endurance.
As you become more active, you may experience an increase in discomfort, including headaches, so do not become alarmed.
Sexual relations may be resumed at your discretion.
Wound Instructions:
If you have stitches/staples that can be seen, avoid getting the incision wet until the stitches/staples have been removed.
Puffiness or swelling around the incision or under the skin flap is not uncommon, particularly if it occurs in the morning after sleeping. This can be helped by elevating the head of your bed while sleeping.
Medication Instructions:
At the time of your discharge, you will be given a prescription for pain medicine. When this runs out, Aspirin, Tylenol, Advil or Bufferin, taken as directed, should be sufficient for pain control.
Please contact our office for refill authorization. Please note: we do not take prescription calls on weekends or holidays.
Instructions For When To Call:
Please call our office at 801-387-6520 if you develop any of the following (office hours are Monday-Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.):
- Fever (over 101.5°), chills, or sweats.
- Drainage from your incision. (A small amount of puffiness and numbness around the area of the incision is normal.)
- New pain or weakness that began after you left the hospital.
- New bowel or bladder difficulty.
- Excessive swelling or difficulty breathing and swallowing.
Call the office within three days of discharge to schedule your post-operative office visit.
In case of an emergency after business hours, please contact me at the phone number given to you at the time of discharge OR go to the nearest emergency room.
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Discharge instructions for patients having Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Surgery
Activity Instructions:
Keep the arm elevated at or above heart level for the first two days post-operatively. You may use ice on the hand.
Exercise your hand and fingers with a soft sponge or Nerf ball.
We prefer that you not wear your wrist splint after surgery, but if you are doing some activity that involves strong bending of the wrist, it may be helpful.
Try to avoid activities that involve pressure on the palm of the hand (the same motion that you might do in a push-up) for six to ten weeks after surgery.
Wound Instructions:
You may remove the splint and dressing on the second post-operative day.
After the splint is removed, you may wash the hand and get the incision wet. Please pat the area dry after bathing (do not rub).
After the skin is closed (about ten days after surgery) you may rub Vitamin E oil on the incision to reduce the scar.
Stitches should be removed ten to fourteen days after surgery.
Medication Instructions:
At the time of your discharge, you will be given a prescription for pain medicine. Please contact our office for refill authorization. Please note: we do not take prescription calls on weekends or holidays.
Instructions For When To Call:
Please call our office at 801-387-6520 if you develop any of the following (office hours are Monday-Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.):
- Fever (over 101.5°), chills, or sweats.
- Drainage from your incision. (A small amount of puffiness and numbness around the area of the incision is normal.)
- New pain or weakness that began after you left the hospital.
- New bowel or bladder difficulty.
- Excessive swelling or difficulty breathing and swallowing.
Please call within three days of discharge to make a follow-up appointment for removal of sutures.
In case of an emergency after business hours, please contact me at the phone number given to you at the time of discharge OR go to the nearest emergency room.
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