- Your doctor will recommend spine surgery if conservative treatments (physical therapy, medications, injections) have failed.
- If imaging tests (MRI, CT scans) show a clear structural problem that can be surgically corrected.
- For minimally invasive or keyhole spine surgery, patients can go home within next day after the operation.
- Elderly patients/ patients with severe symptoms/ with spinal cord or nerve root compression may remain in the hospital for 3 to 5 days.
- Patients undergoing spine fusion operations may have to stay in the hospital for up to 3 days.
- While there is a trend for early discharge from hospital to relieve you from the stress of staying in hospital beds, in most cases following spine surgery and minimally invasive spine surgery, it is important to rest for the first one to two weeks after surgery.
- The exact timing of discharge is determined by each patient’s individual circumstances. This is best discussed with Dr. Jalaj Meena directly during your consultation before surgery and 24-48 hours after surgery.
- 10-14 days after surgery.
- Normally, you should not wet the wound for 10-14 days after surgery.
- You can take a sponge bath or wipe your body.
- You can take a bath if it does not wet your operated area.
- It is important not to leave a dressing that is wet on the wound.
- The wound should be allowed to dry before a clean, dry dressing is applied.
- Usually, patients are admitted one day before surgery.
- Some patients may be admitted on the day of surgery.
- The admission office or secretary will inform you of the exact time to arrive at the hospital for your operation, whom to meet, and when to stop eating and drinking.
- Dr. Jalaj Meena, Spine Specialist in Jaipur, India, will normally tell you the date and time of admission during your consultation.
- If you are from within a few hours distance from the hospital, you can go in a car.
- If you stay away, you can take a train. A comfortable car is also ok. Discuss with the doctor about this.
- It is better to avoid public transport for your first return.
- If you are travelling for a long distance, an Ambulance, Train or Flight is preferred depending on your affordability and distance.
- You just have to ensure that you select a good road, a patient driver and DO NOT RUSH.
- Take a slow and careful trip.
- Most importantly, do not sleep in your vehicle's back seat when you are travelling, as this can be dangerous if an accident occurs.
- You can recline your seat and sit with a seat belt on. Safety first.
It will be painful after your travel and reach home. Hence, remember to ask for painkillers before you start your trip, or you can even take a pain injection.
- You do not have to stay in bed all the time.
- Generally, walking, in increasing increments, to reach a goal distance of half a kilometre per day is all that is required for the first six weeks.
- Stationary cycling and walking on a treadmill is fine from two to six weeks after surgery.
- You should not recommence doing anything unusual without discussing it with Dr. Jalaj Meena.
- Specific exercises programs will be taught after 6 weeks of follow up.
- Avoid strenuous exercise such as swimming, weight training, cycling and running until you visit Dr. Jalaj Meena.
It is advisable to avoid driving for four weeks after your operation.
- All patients are generally seen for follow up 14 days after surgery.