Posterior Cervical Fusion
Jonathan R. Mason, M.D.
- Hospital stay average is 1-2 nights. Plan to have someone drive you home
- You will have a soft collar for comfort, that you may remove and wear as needed.
- A prescription for pain medications will be given for you to go home with. If you need a refill, please call your pharmacy or our office.
- It will be determined at your follow-up visits when you are allowed to resume driving. Driving is not permitted until 24 hrs have passed since your last pain medication. You may ride in a car, but do not ride for more than one hour continuously without getting our and walking for the first two months. If you need a temporary handicap parking permit, one can be arranged for you.
- Change dressing every other day or sooner if dressing is soiled. KEEP INCISION DRY AND COVERED. When showering, wear a water-tight dressing over incision to ensure it stays dry. Do not submerge your incision in water such as hot tubs, bathtubs, pools, etc…for 6 weeks.
- Do not lift anything greater than 5lbs. (see postop restriction sheet for weekly restrictions)
- Be sure to get up and take short walks 4 times per day to help avoid developing a blood clot in your legs.
- Be sure to maintain a healthy bowel regimen while on pain medications. Opioids tend to cause constipation. Use stool softeners and gentle laxatives to maintain regular bowel habits.
- Call the office to report any fever >101.5, progressively worsening pain that is not controlled with oral pain medications, drainage from your incision, new bowel/bladder incontinence.
- IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS, please call the office for further instructions: 757-827-2317 from 8am until 5pm Monday through Friday. After hours or on weekends for emergency call: 757-220-4493.
