Surgery
Recovery after surgery
Getting moving from the first days speeds up recovery. It is important to know the warning signs and to attend check-ups.
In hospital
Sitting up and walking usually start the day after surgery. Pain is controlled with regular painkillers. The hospital stay is usually a few days.
The first weeks at home
- Take short walks every day and build up the time gradually.
- In the first weeks, avoid lifting heavy loads, bending forward and forcefully twisting your trunk.
- Keep the wound clean and dry; your team will tell you when you can bathe or shower.
- Use painkillers as advised, and check with your team before taking any other medicines.
- Eat a balanced diet, drink plenty of fluids and eat high-fibre foods to prevent constipation.
School, sport and daily life
The times below are a general guide; your surgeon will set a timetable for you.
- Back to school: usually within 2–4 weeks
- Swimming and light exercise: once the wound has healed, usually from week 6
- Running and non-contact sports: usually 3–6 months
- Contact and collision sports: usually 6–12 months
When to seek help straight away
A temperature of 38.5 °C or higher; increasing redness, swelling or discharge from the wound; new numbness or weakness in the legs; any change in bladder or bowel control; severe pain that does not settle with medication; shortness of breath, chest pain, or swelling and pain in the calf.
Check-ups
After surgery, check-ups are usually at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year, and less often after that. At these visits, wound healing, how well the correction is holding and bone fusion are assessed.
This article is for general information and does not replace an examination. Diagnosis and treatment decisions are made individually, based on examination and test results.
https://www.sinacoskun.com/en/info/recovery-after-surgery/