Posterior Spine Fusion Surgery Neuromuscular scoliosis and VEPTR home care (119402)

Key points below


Neuromuscular Scoliosis and VEPTR home care: important things to know when caring for your child 

What can be done for pain?

Your child will have some pain and soreness after surgery.  It may be caused by the incision or the way your child was positioned during surgery.  The soreness will go away slowly over several weeks or months.  

During this time, your child may need pain medicine.

Diet

Bathing and scar care

School

Dental Precautions

Tattoos or body piercings

Your child should not get a tattoo or body piercing for at least one year.  There is a higher chance of infection due to the implants.

Smoking

Smoking is never recommended. Being around smoke can delay wound healing after surgery.  It may increase the risk of the spine not healing. This can increase the chance of the rods breaking. It can also lead to lung infections.

Activity Guidelines

These activities and times are guidelines only.  They will vary for each child. Please talk with the health care team before starting an activity.  Your child should not do anything that will cause more than just a little pain.  

Most patients do not need physical therapy.  If your child was in physical therapy before surgery, they can start again after the wound is healed and it is comfortable for them. This will be ok'd at your first post-op wound check appointment.

Bending
Motions that make your child twist, bend at the waist or are jarring may hurt at first.  To avoid bending at the waist, your child should use their knees to stoop. This way, the leg muscles are used and not the back muscles.

Once home from the hospital these things are fine

3 to 6 weeks after surgery

Other
Trampolines should never be used.

ALERT

Call your child’s doctor, nurse, or clinic if you have any questions or concerns or if your child has special health care needs that were not covered by this information.