Occupational therapy after spinal fusion surgery (1387)

Key points below


Important information

You may bend forward at the hips and neck. Keep your back straight, do not slouch. Be sure to bend at your knees to lift. Do not lift with your back. No heavy lifting for 6 to 8 weeks after surgery. Your doctor will decide when lifting precautions are no longer needed.

The day after surgery

1. Raise your arm to point to the ceiling. Keep your elbow straight.drawing of woman raising her arm from her side

2. Raise your arm out to the side. Keep your elbow straight and your palm facing forward. Do not shrug your shoulders or trunk.

3. Hold your arm out to the side. Make circular motions using only your shoulders. Start to feed yourself. Hold your own beverage. Brush your teeth. Do as much for yourself as you can.

 - Start to feed yourself.

 - Hold your own beverage.

 - Brush your teeth.

 - Do as much for yourself

Dressing and bathingdrawing of person removing their sock

Once the Foley catheter is removed, you may wear your own clothes.

For other health and wellness information, check out this resource:

https://kidshealth.org/ChildrensWi/en/parents 

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.