Your child should continue walks at home. Has he/she you made a lap around the house? Your child should try to get up and walk laps or even go outside three times daily.
If there are stairs in the home, have your child practice those.
You may need to help your child with rolling over and getting dressed.
Your child may find certain chairs are his/her favorite.
Your child may find that he/she likes the couch more than their bed. However, sleeping in their bed at night is best as they keep more of a normal routine.
Your child should practice gently rolling their shoulders and stretching their neck. This will help with muscle stiffness.
If your child is having trouble sleeping at night, have him/her try to only take short naps early in the afternoon so that they are awake before 4 p.m.
Diet
Ensure your child is are taking their Miralax. No bowel movement in two days? Call the orthopedic nurse line (414) 266-2411.
Your child should try to eat something high in calories and nutritious during the day every two hours.
Think of 6 mini meals.
Pair foods with high protein options.
Ideas: Crave fruit? Add cheese or a handful of nuts. Crave smoothies? Add protein powder or Greek yogurt. Crave crackers? Add peanut/almond butter or cheese.
Push fluids, especially water. Your child should drink at least 64 ounces of water per day if he/she is adult size.
Dizziness often means your child needs to drink and eat more!
Pain
Common complaints can shift from back/incision to muscle and rib cage, to shoulder blade pain.
Continue scheduled pain medications.
In the beginning, the pain is from the incision for which the narcotics (such as Oxycodone or the narcotic prescribed) work best. However, once your child is home he/she will be more active. The pain can become more muscular in which Diazepam may work better.
We recommend continuing the scheduled Tylenol (Acetaminophen).
If needed, consider alternating Oxycodone short acting (or the narcotic prescribed) with Diazepam for muscle spasms.
