WOUND CARE

Please try to keep your dressing dry. Seven to ten days after your surgery you will be seen by the CNS to check your wound. You will be given a supply of dressings to take home with you. Look out for any signs of your wound being infected, including redness, oozing or increased pain or tenderness. The wound normally heals after 14 days, and then the dressing can be left off.

AT HOME

When sitting, sit in a chair with good support (with backs and sides) and avoid soft sofas that might be hard to get out of.

You can travel in car as soon you can sit comfortably.

BATHING

You may have a shower with a water proof dressing in place. A shower is better than a bath as it puts less strain on your back. If you only have a bath, then please do not sit in this without using a bath seat. Please ask the CNS how to obtain one.

BEING LIFTED

If you need to be lifted by your parents or carers you may need a hoist for safe lifting. Please ask the nurses or physiotherapists how to obtain one. Do not let anyone lift you under your arms or pull you along by the arms. This will put strain on your back and will hurt.

EXERCISE

We strongly encourage normal activity, including using stairs. Walking should be encouraged. Sitting tolerance should be increased gradually to prepare you for going back to school and travelling.

No swimming is allowed for first 6 months’ post-surgery.

You should continue to do the exercises taught by your physiotherapist.

If your child was a wheelchair user before the operation, the physiotherapists and occupational therapists will discuss and plan mobilization and time spent sitting.

By 3 months you should be back at school for full days. No PE at this stage. Increased exercise through walking longer distances will improve your overall stamina.

6 months’ post-surgery and steadily increasing your physical activities – swimming can usually be started at this stage and you can partake in gentle PE but no contact sports. If you have any queries about what activities you should or should not be doing, please contact our physiotherapists or orthopaedic clinical nurse specialist.

1-year post-surgery you should be able to return to full normal activities. Please discuss activities of interest with your surgeon at your review. Please discuss activities such as theme park rides, trampolining, rugby and high jump with your surgeon.

MEDICATION

We will give you pain medicine to go home with. We will advise you on the best way to take these. You may need to continue taking this for at least 6 months to a year.

You may also feel a little constipated after the operation. We will give you medicine to help with this when you go home.

BRACE

If you have been given a spinal brace or plaster jacket, please make sure you and your family are confident to care for your brace before you leave the hospital, as it is important that you are comfortable in it. Keep wearing the brace until you are told otherwise by your consultant at your follow-up appointments. If you have any problems once you get home, please contact the CNS or the brace technician.

SCHOOL

You can return to school 4-6 weeks after surgery. It’s best to go back part-time at first, until you are ready for a full school day. You will not be able to do PE or sports 4-6 months after surgery. Heavy lifting, including school bags and books, is not allowed for about 6 months after the operation. you may find it easier having two sets of textbooks (one for school, one for home) or ask a friend to help.

When sitting for a long time at school you may need to stand up or stretch, speak with you teachers about your needs.

It may also be advisable to ask to leave classes slightly earlier to avoid the crowds at class changeover time.

FOLLOW UP APPOINTMENTS

You will have a number of follow-up appointments after your surgery these will be at 2-3 weeks, 3 months 6 months and 1 year

You will continue to receive follow-up care until around two years after surgery, or until you have fully grown and your surgeon is satisfied that everything is well. During these appointments you will have an X-ray and see the surgeon/senior spinal consultant and our physiotherapist. If you have any questions or concerns before or after these appointments, please do not hesitate to contact the Orthopaedic Clinical Nurse Specialist or a member of the team. We do not want you to worry at home and are more than happy to offer advice over the phone or see you sooner in clinic for review if needed.

USEFUL NUMBERS REMINDER

Spinal CNS – 0207 580 4400 ext:18049 Mob: 07936363235

Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm

Out of hours: 0207 580 4400 please ask for PSP (Paediatric Site Practitioner) ext:10843