Scoliosis Kyphosis Post Op Protocol
Have you or your child gone through Scoliosis or Kyphosis surgery? Or, maybe you are considering surgery and want more information? Either way, you are in the right place!
Surgery for progressive Scoliosis and Kyphosis is a large surgery, and recovery can be different for each person. We made this page to help you get the best result possible and help answer your questions.
Please Click the button below, to download the post-op protocol we provide to surgeons in Utah for their patients.
Post-Op 0-8 Weeks
How to Do a Log Roll After Scoliosis and Kyphosis Surgery
Scapular Stabilization after Scoliosis and Kyphosis Surgery
Strengthening Deep Core Muscles after Scoliosis and Kyphosis Surgery
Post-Op 8 weeks to 3 months
Scoliosis and Kyphosis Surgery Neck Posture and Hip Stretching
Scoliosis and Kyphosis Correction Surgery PSSE for Residual Curves
Scapula Stabilization Exercise after Scoliosis and Kyphosis Correction Surgery
Deep Core Strengthening After Scoliosis and Kyphosis Surgery
Lower Body Strengthening after Scoliosis and Kyphosis Surgery
Post-Op 3 to 6 Months
Post-Op 6 to 12 Months
Final Thoughts & Suggestions
What to expect after spinal fusion surgery
While there are many different spine surgeries used for those with scoliosis or kyphosis, by far the most common is spinal fusion.
Hospital stays and pain after surgery varies depending on the surgeon and the patient. When in the hospital, the medical staff will help with pain management and making sure the surgery is healing well.
You can hear the experience of others by listening to our podcast where we discuss recovery from this surgery with patients and providers.
https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-2n75n-13cffeb
https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-2n3m4-103ab3b
Most patients who undergo spinal fusion surgery stay in the hospital for 3-7 days and then have some restrictions on what they can do when they are released. (Refer to the post-op protocol for more information)
How to avoid complications from spinal fusion surgery
After spinal fusion, there are some complications we want to avoid:
Infection
Post surgery infections are one of the most common complications of scoliosis and kyphosis fusion surgery. This is a big surgery, and with having a longer incision comes a risk of infection, just like any surgery.
The good news is, there are some things you can do to avoid getting an infection after surgery:
- Don’t bathe or use hot tubs until the incision is fully healed. (See protocol)
- Practice good hygiene and keep the incision clean.
- Follow the discharge instructions from your surgeon.
Signs of Infection
The faster you identify an infection, the better, and faster it can be treated. Here are some things to look for.
Fever
An increase in body temperature could signal your body is fighting an infection. Normal temperatures can range from 97 to 100 degrees. If you notice your temperature is over this range, it may be a sign of infection.
Redness
Some redness around the surgical incision is normal, but if you notice this spreading or going out in “streaks”, this is cause for concern.
Unusual Discharge
Initially, you will notice some fluid leaking from the incision. This is normal, but should not persist very long. If there is discolored, smelly, or bloody discharge, it could be cause for concern and your surgeon should be contacted.
Excessive Pain
Some pain is normal after fusion surgery but if this pain does not decrease as the wound heals, it may be concerning, especially if this is sharp or shooting. Pain to light touch can be an indication that something is going on.
Any other “odd” symptoms
Infections can present with breathing difficulty, lightheadedness, referred pain, a general feeling of being unwell, and many other things. If you are having symptoms that you feel are not consistent with what you should be feeling, it may be worth a call to your surgeon’s office.
If you are having any of the above symptoms of infection, contact your surgeon’s office immediately. We would rather have a false alarm than have an infection get out of control.
Non-Healing Fusion
Although this is not as common of a complication, having a fusion that doesn’t heal fully is a concern. The way to avoid this complication is to follow the protocol! Resting and allowing the fusion to heal is important to allow good bone growth and avoid non-fusion.
Pain management
One of the main concerns after scoliosis and kyphosis fusion surgery is “How much pain will I be in?”. This is a good question and is different for each patient.
There are many ways pain is managed after surgery. Most patients benefit from a combination of the following:
- Pain Medication: Your surgeon and their team will address this in the hospital and try to find what you respond best to. They will most likely give advice on what you can use after you go home.
- Hot and cold: Using heat and ice can be helpful to relieve pain after spinal surgery. Initially, heat is usually not used directly on the incision because we don’t want to increase the blood flow too much. After a few weeks though, this could be something helpful. It can also be used on areas away from the fusion that are tight or sore.
Ice/cold can be used after surgery to reduce pain. Just make sure to not leave the ice on too long to avoid frost bite. Usually this means to limit icing to 15-20 minutes and ALWAYS have a barrier between any ice packs and your skin.
- Meditation: The mind is a powerful tool in controlling pain. Practicing mindful meditation can help to reduce tension, pain, and anxiety, and can help you have a more comfortable recovery.
- Massage Therapy: Finding a massage therapist who have experience working with post operative spine patients can be helpful. Being familiar with this type of surgery is essential so they don’t interfere with the healing of the bones and soft tissues. Look for someone who is experienced and knows this surgery.
- Physical Therapy: Similar to massage therapy, make sure you find a PT who is experienced with treating those who have undergone scoliosis or kyphosis surgery. They can help with manual therapy, modalities, and stretching to improve your pain and speed up recovery.
Rest Helps you heal
The importance of resting after scoliosis or kyphosis surgery can’t be overstated. Now, we don’t want you to lay on the couch and play video games for 6 months, but resting in the right way can improve your healing and reduce recovery time.
Especially initially after surgery, make sure you are getting good sleep and resting from things that stress the back. This allows your tissues to heal and limits excessive inflammation that can delay healing.
As your body heals from this surgery, you can gradually increase your activity level and improve your strength. The protocol above gives good ideas on what activities to do, along with which activities to avoid.
To get the best results after surgery, you need to get back to the activities of life, but do this gradually to allow your body to recover.
Summary
Some scoliosis and kyphosis curves progress to needing surgical correction. This is a large surgery and can be challenging to recover from. If you follow the right protocol, enlist the right professionals to help with your recovery, and take care of yourself, you will have a good result.
If you have questions about this surgery, or you want help in YOUR recovery, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We are here to help, and we see people just like you every day!