Recovery guide
After your spine surgery
General guidance to help you plan. Your hospital discharge instructions and surgical team’s advice come first.
When to seek urgent help
Go to an emergency department for new difficulty passing urine, loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness around the groin, or new or worsening limb weakness. Call 911 for chest pain, severe shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing. After neck surgery, rapidly increasing neck swelling or difficulty breathing also requires emergency care.
Contact your surgical team promptly about fever, increasing wound redness or drainage, worsening swallowing difficulty, or pain that is not controlled by your discharge plan. If you cannot reach the team and are concerned, seek urgent medical assessment.
Before going home
- Know your medication plan and who to call with a problem.
- Arrange transport and any help you will need at home.
- Confirm wound care, showering, and dressing instructions.
- Check whether you need a collar, brace, or walking aid.
- Know the date or process for your follow-up appointment.
Moving and resting
Follow the walking and activity plan provided by your team. Build up activity gradually, with rest as needed. Lifting, bending, twisting, exercise, and physiotherapy restrictions differ by operation; use your own discharge instructions.
Medicines and wound care
Take medicines as prescribed. Ask the team before restarting or changing blood thinners, anti-inflammatory medicines, or supplements. Follow the plan for constipation if one was provided.
Keep to the wound-care instructions given at discharge. Do not apply creams or change dressings differently from the plan without advice.
Driving and returning to work
Discuss timing with your team. Driving requires safe control of the vehicle, adequate movement, and freedom from impairing medication effects. A collar, brace, weakness, or pain can make driving unsafe.
Returning to work depends on the procedure, your recovery, and the demands of the job. Ask about modified duties if needed.
What improvement may look like
Pain, numbness, strength, and stamina may recover at different rates. Some symptoms can persist. New or progressively worsening symptoms need assessment rather than simply waiting for the next appointment.
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