BATHING You may shower on third day following surgery. Try to limit showers to no more than 5–7 minutes. Do not scrub the wound. Let water run over the incision, then pat dry with clean towel. Do not soak in a bathtub, hot tub or pool for at least 2 weeks. BRACE If a brace (lumbar belt) is prescribed, it should be worn at all times except while showering and should be replaced immediately thereafter. ACTIVITY A physiotherapist will guide you and will define a rehabilitation programme specifically for you, below are general recommendations: Avoid bending at the waist, lifting (more than 2 kg), and twisting in the early postoperative period (first 2-4 weeks) to avoid a strain injury. You can gradually begin to bend, twist, and lift after 4-6 weeks as the pain subsides and the back muscles get stronger. Bending at the hips and knees into a hip-hinge position is acceptable as long as your back remains straight. Do not sit for periods longer than 20-30 minutes. You may increase this time as you become more comfortable. Walking is the best form of exercise after spinal fusion surgery. The amount of time you spend walking each day should be slowly and steadily increased. You should be walking approximately 1,5 km per day within 1 month of surgery. No running is permitted for the first 2 months. Stairs are good for you, but take it slow. Avoid prolonged long car rides (more than 2 hours) for 2–4 weeks. Avoid any activity that presents the potential of falling or any physical contact (ex: sports, playing with children). DRIVING Driving is acceptable approximately 2 weeks after surgery depending on the use of pain medication. We recommend that you not drive while taking pain medications following the surgery. DO NOT SMOKE Smoking slows down spinal fusion healing. DO NOT TAKE ANY NONSTEROIDAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS (such as ibuprofen, naproxen, meloxicam, diclofenac, etc.) for three months following your surgery. This type of medication has been shown to interfere with spinal fusion healing. Related Articles Related Articles 23/02/2021 Dr Nguyen Minh Duc Joins Neuro-surgery & Endovascular Surgery Department of FV Hospital Dr Nguyen Minh Duc graduated from University of Medicine, Ho Chi Minh City, in 2010 and received his Specialisation Level I, Neurosurgery, in 2018 from the same university 28/10/2020 Dr Nguyen Manh Hung: I Was Chosen to Be a Doctor When growing up, Dr Nguyen Manh Hung was advised that while he wouldn’t starve, choosing to practice medicine would never make him rich, and, compared to other jobs, there would be considerably more things to worry about. 05/09/2018 Minor Head Injury What is a minor head injury? The most common type of minor head injury is concussion. Concussion may be associated with loss of consciousness (a “blackout”). This is often brief and is normally followed by a rapid and complete recovery. What causes a minor head injury? The skull and facial bones are hard and they […] 08/11/2017 I lay my life in your hands, Doctor! After receiving treatment at FV Hospital for one month, Mr T was recently discharged and returned to France with his family, putting an end to his life-or-death battle with a resounding victory. The unsung hero behind this success story is Dr Nguyen Manh Hung, from FV’s Neurosurgery Department. 23/02/2021 Dr Nguyen Minh Duc Joins Neuro-surgery & Endovascular Surgery Department of FV Hospital Dr Nguyen Minh Duc graduated from University of Medicine, Ho Chi Minh City, in 2010 and received his Specialisation Level I, Neurosurgery, in 2018 from the same university 28/10/2020 Dr Nguyen Manh Hung: I Was Chosen to Be a Doctor When growing up, Dr Nguyen Manh Hung was advised that while he wouldn’t starve, choosing to practice medicine would never make him rich, and, compared to other jobs, there would be considerably more things to worry about. 05/09/2018 Minor Head Injury What is a minor head injury? The most common type of minor head injury is concussion. Concussion may be associated with loss of consciousness (a “blackout”). This is often brief and is normally followed by a rapid and complete recovery. What causes a minor head injury? The skull and facial bones are hard and they […] 08/11/2017 I lay my life in your hands, Doctor! After receiving treatment at FV Hospital for one month, Mr T was recently discharged and returned to France with his family, putting an end to his life-or-death battle with a resounding victory. The unsung hero behind this success story is Dr Nguyen Manh Hung, from FV’s Neurosurgery Department.
23/02/2021 Dr Nguyen Minh Duc Joins Neuro-surgery & Endovascular Surgery Department of FV Hospital Dr Nguyen Minh Duc graduated from University of Medicine, Ho Chi Minh City, in 2010 and received his Specialisation Level I, Neurosurgery, in 2018 from the same university
28/10/2020 Dr Nguyen Manh Hung: I Was Chosen to Be a Doctor When growing up, Dr Nguyen Manh Hung was advised that while he wouldn’t starve, choosing to practice medicine would never make him rich, and, compared to other jobs, there would be considerably more things to worry about.
05/09/2018 Minor Head Injury What is a minor head injury? The most common type of minor head injury is concussion. Concussion may be associated with loss of consciousness (a “blackout”). This is often brief and is normally followed by a rapid and complete recovery. What causes a minor head injury? The skull and facial bones are hard and they […]
08/11/2017 I lay my life in your hands, Doctor! After receiving treatment at FV Hospital for one month, Mr T was recently discharged and returned to France with his family, putting an end to his life-or-death battle with a resounding victory. The unsung hero behind this success story is Dr Nguyen Manh Hung, from FV’s Neurosurgery Department.
23/02/2021 Dr Nguyen Minh Duc Joins Neuro-surgery & Endovascular Surgery Department of FV Hospital Dr Nguyen Minh Duc graduated from University of Medicine, Ho Chi Minh City, in 2010 and received his Specialisation Level I, Neurosurgery, in 2018 from the same university
28/10/2020 Dr Nguyen Manh Hung: I Was Chosen to Be a Doctor When growing up, Dr Nguyen Manh Hung was advised that while he wouldn’t starve, choosing to practice medicine would never make him rich, and, compared to other jobs, there would be considerably more things to worry about.
05/09/2018 Minor Head Injury What is a minor head injury? The most common type of minor head injury is concussion. Concussion may be associated with loss of consciousness (a “blackout”). This is often brief and is normally followed by a rapid and complete recovery. What causes a minor head injury? The skull and facial bones are hard and they […]
08/11/2017 I lay my life in your hands, Doctor! After receiving treatment at FV Hospital for one month, Mr T was recently discharged and returned to France with his family, putting an end to his life-or-death battle with a resounding victory. The unsung hero behind this success story is Dr Nguyen Manh Hung, from FV’s Neurosurgery Department.
