Once your surgery is finished, you’ll be moved to a recovery area where you’ll be monitored until you’re fully out from under the anesthetic. Scoliosis is not just an inconvenience; this condition can limit your daily activities and chip away at your self-confidence indefinitely. © 2021 Neurosurgeons of New Jersey. On the other hand, narcotic pain medication—which is strong and tends to control severe pain well—should not be taken for too long in order to reduce the risks of developing complications, such as addiction or other serious health problems. Deerfield, Typically, patients will no longer need pain medication six weeks after scoliosis surgery. Incision wound care is incredibly important; it’s integral that it be kept dry, clean and well-tended. Recovery from Scoliosis Surgery After scoliosis surgery, your child won't instantly be better and your curve won't instantly look better. The doctor will try to correct the curve by 50 percent or more. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions. The team at Neurosurgeons of New Jersey remain committed and accessible to our patients. A clinic appointment will be scheduled within a month of the operation date. Recovery from Scoliosis Fusion Surgery. Weeks 3 and 4: You’ll now be gaining strength and mobility at this point. The first couple of days following your scoliosis surgery, you’ll need to get plenty of rest. Most patients are completely off pain medication four to six weeks after surgery. Acetaminophen (e.g. Many of the scoliosis tethering procedures are done endoscopically, meaning the actual surgery is performed via an endoscope, and do not require an open back incision. IL, At this point it is also likely that you will be becoming more active. A combination of hooks, wire, and screws may be used to anchor one or more rods to the spine. At this point, you’ll resume a normal diet, performing some very minor tasks (such as brushing your teeth and hair, dressing, etc). My daughter Natalie had scoliosis surgery in 2013, when she was 14 years old. Spinal Cord Stimulator for Chronic Back Pain, The Inova Neuroscience and Spine Institute, Scoliosis Surgery Recovery: After Discharge (First 14 Days). See Spinal Fusion for Idiopathic Scoliosis. This site is for educational purposes only; no information is intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. You may be asked to follow a specific exercise regimen to help maintain and improve upon your already significant results. Over time, the curvature can progress or worsen, which causes changes to the spine, chest and pelvis and the … Pain medications will be adjusted by day two, when you will likely be transitioned to oral medications. Anthony's Story: A Revolutionary Journey. Many patients will be back to normal activity levels around 3 to 6 months after surgery. It is advised that the patient go off narcotics as soon as he or she can effectively manage the pain with a weaker medication. Get Veritas Health eNewsletters delivered to your inbox. I am so thankful for the success of my spine surgery! Monitoring. We spent a lot of time preparing her for the surgery (which you can read about here). It can be helpful to have knowledge of exactly what to expect in the recovery period after scoliosis surgery; many patients have written blogs documenting their experience. With scoliosis surgery recovery, patients can expect to be in the intensive care unit for 1-2 days and then transferred to a hospital room for 5 to 7 days. Weeks 1 and 2: Although you may feel like you need to be getting a tremendous amount done, pace yourself once you’re home. Everything is spinning. You’ll find you tire easily, though this is normal. ask that you be ready and available to prepare for your surgery early in the morning. Many hospitals ask that you be ready and available to prepare for your surgery early in the morning. The rods placed during scoliosis surgery function as braces that support the spine while the fusion heals. The goal of spinal surgery for scoliosis is to fuse the vertebrae so the spine cannot bend and to correct deformity. This means a 4-6 inch scar under one of the arm pits (usually the right side), rather than a full spine incision down the middle of the back. As with any surgery, though, scoliosis surgery is only as successful as its recovery. Video: Am I a Candidate for Back Surgery? After scoliosis surgery, patients are generally allowed to return to mild activity about 2 to 4 weeks later. My scoliosis surgery changed me and my life for the better, because my back is now straight and I don't have any physical restrictions. Typically, a scoliosis surgery patient will transition off narcotic pain medication during the second week at home or shortly thereafter. Posterior approach: The most frequently performed surgery for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis involves posterior spinal fusion with instrumentation and bone grafting. A key component of recovering from scoliosis surgery is pain management, but it requires balance. In the grand scheme of things, the investment you make recovery time from scoliosis surgery is well worth the lifetime of relief you’ll experience. How can Scoliosis SOS help? If the patient has a job, he or she will likely be able to return to sedentary or desk work by the four- to six-week mark. Scoliosis is a lateral (side to side) curvature of the spine that can occur at any time during a child’s growth. See Opioid Medication Potential Risks and Complications. By following these tips, you will set yourself up for a successful outcome after surgery. This will allow you to plan accordingly and help you focus more on healing rather than fixating on minor details. When the patient first starts taking showers again, which is usually upon returning home, the incision site must be covered—such as with an occlusive dressing provided by the hospital or taped saran wrap—to prevent it from getting too wet. The operation typically involves using stainless steel or titanium rods to correct the curvature. In fact, most patients do not enter the full recovery zone until 6 to 12 months after their procedure. The first couple of days following your scoliosis surgery, you’ll need to get plenty of rest. My surgery wasn't fun at the time, but it molded me into the better and more mature person that I am today. Fusion is the process of joining vertebrae using bone grafts. Each case is different, but expect to abstain from taking in food and liquids for a set period of time prior to your surgery (typically 12 hours). Usually at this first follow-up appointment, the patient will be given the OK to start taking baths if the incision has healed. During these first couple of weeks back at home, the patient will need the help of a friend, family member, or home health aide who can assist with some basic care and daily tasks. The younger you are at the time of surgery usually indicates a quicker recovery, however, everybody is different. degenerative scoliosis. Most patients are completely off pain medication four to six weeks after surgery.1 Although, some patients might take considerably longer before being ready to go off pain medication. Typically, no creams, ointments, or powders are recommended. Again, this will not be the same for everyone. This timescale is different for each person. Depending on the complexity of your surgery, your doctor will decide how long you will need to remain in the hospital after surgery. Younger people generally experience a faster scoliosis surgery recovery time. There is a separate page about treatments for scoliosis in adults. At this point, you’ll likely be moved to your room, where you’ll spend the first part of your recovery. At this appointment, you can expect to have some X-rays taken and for your physical activity to be increased, if not completely unrestricted. There is more detailed information in the book, “Scoliosis Surgery: The Definitive Patient’s Reference,” written by a scoliosis patient who underwent surgical management. This type of movement—bending, twisting, or lifting—will cause some additional pain during recovery and serve as a reminder not to move in that manner again. Are you at a point where you have considered scoliosis surgery as your only option for treatment? Despite the fact that I had four ribs removed and bone graft added to my rib cage, I can still feel my curve. The One-Year Mark: You’ll attend regular annual visits with your doctor, making sure you’re on the right track. Sometimes patients seek help when they are adults because of pain or the curve getting bigger. However, it will probably take more than six weeks of recovery … After surgery for adult scoliosis, it’s time to focus on healing. After the scoliosis surgery is complete, the patient often has to stay in the hospital for approximately four days. About 6 to 8 weeks out of scoliosis surgery, the patient will be encouraged to walk; however, the patient will have to avoid any bending, heavy lifting, pushing, or pulling until the physician gives the go ahead. They were amazed at what she could … Warning – Video of Graphic Scoliosis Surgery Procedure . See Arrange for Assistance at Home and Work. Surgery to correct the curvature of the spine can be done to the front or back of the spine, or both. You’ll most likely be starting a therapy program at this point, including a lot of walking. By the time she had her first visit with the scoliosis specialist she was referred to, Dr. Stephen Enguidanos of the Orthopaedic and Spine Surgery Center in Niceville, FL, – about a year after her initial diagnosis – Amanda's primary spinal curve had increased … Surgery. After your six-week check up, you may be cleared for more strenuous activities, including a light exercise program. In general, both surgery and recovery time are expected to be longer in older adults with scoliosis. You’ve made it through the first segment and you’re going home! In some cases, it’s two or three days, although it can be a bit longer. What is the recovery time after Scoliosis surgery? Weeks 6 – 11: Your activity level will increase again by this point. Once your surgery is finished, you’ll be moved to a recovery area where you’ll be monitored until you’re fully out from under the anesthetic. Long-Term Outlook for Adolescents Who Have Scoliosis Surgery. 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