POST OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS 

Posterior lumbar decompression and fusion 

• You will be discharged the 2nd or 3rd day after surgery. Plan to have someone drive you home. 
• 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. You may ride in a car, but do not ride for more than one hour continuously without getting out and walking for the first two months. If you need a temporary handicap parking permit, one can be arranged for you. 
• You will have a brace to wear after surgery. This is mainly for comfort. 
• Change the dressing as needed. Please check your dressing daily for any drainage. We recommend a waterproof dressing especially while showering. Keep the incision/incisions clean, dry and covered. 
• Do not submerge your incision in water such as hot tubs, bathtubs, pools, etc....for 6 weeks. 
• Do not lift anything greater than 10lbs. 
• 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 over the counter stool softeners and gentle laxatives to maintain regular bowel habits. 
• Call the office to report any fever greater than 101.5, progressively worsening pain that is not controlled with oral pain medications, drainage from your incision site or new neurologic changes. 

IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS, please call the office for further instructions: 757- 827-2480 extension 365 from 8am until 5pm Monday through Friday. After hours or on weekends for urgent matters: 757-220-4493