Caring for Your Child After Scoliosis Surgery

It takes a while for the back to heal after scoliosis surgery. Your child is already walking around and can go back to most activities in a few months.

Your child had spinal fusion surgery to straighten the curve in his or her spine.

During surgery, the doctor put metal rods and screws in the spine to make the bones straight.

Next, the doctor put small pieces of bone between the bones (vertebrae) in your child's spine. They will gradually grow together into a longer, straighter bone.

After surgery, the medical team cared for your child in the hospital. Your child is now ready to go home. At home, most kids take prescription medicines for a short time to help them deal with pain and muscle spasms. As your child heals, you can give less pain medicine.

Pain:

• Follow the schedule for your child's prescription medicines exactly as directed. Most kids need these medicines for about 2 weeks. After that, they will take them less often as the pain gets better.

• As you cut back on the prescription pain medicines, ask your health care professional or pharmacist if it's OK to give your child acetaminophen (such as Tylenol® or a store brand). Because some prescriptions contain acetaminophen, you need to be sure your child doesn't get too much.

• Don't give your child ibuprofen (brand names include Advil® and Motrin®) or naproxen (brand names include Aleve® and Naprosyn®) for 6 months after the surgery unless your doctor says giving them is OK for a short period of time. They may increase bleeding and slow down bone healing.

Constipation:

• Offer your child high-fiber foods, including prunes and other fruit, and lots of liquids.

• Your health care professional may prescribe medicine to help your child go to the bathroom without straining.

Diet:

• Offer your child a healthy diet with plenty of protein.

• Give your child iron supplements, as directed.

Wound care:

• Your child may shower when the health care professional says it's OK (usually 3–4 days after the surgery).

• Don't let your child put the wound under water (like taking a bath or swimming) until the health care professional says it's OK.

• The strip or strips covering the wound should come off in 2 weeks so they don't irritate the skin. You can gently remove them when wet (such as after a shower).

• Tell your child not to scrub or scratch the wound.

• Don't put lotions or creams on the wound until the health care professional says it's OK.

Activity:

• Encourage your child to walk or move around a little bit more each day. Light activity around the house (like going to get the mail or letting the dog out) is a good way to encourage your child to do more.

• Make sure your child does not drive or lift more than a few pounds until the health care professional says it's OK.

• Check with your health care professional about when your child should return to school. Most kids go back to school about 4 weeks after the surgery, but can't do gym or play sports until the health care professional says it's OK.

• Let the school staff know your child will need help at first, such as extra time to get through the hallways or a second set of books to keep at home.

Medical appointments:

• To avoid infections, kids can't get dental work or cleanings for 6 months after scoliosis surgery. If the dentist can't safely delay an appointment, your child will need to take antibiotics before the appointment. Call your child's spine surgeon for a prescription at least 1 week before you see the dentist.

• Be sure your child goes to all follow-up medical appointments.

• There is liquid or pus coming out of the wound.

• The wound is red or swollen.

• The pain gets worse, or your child gets new pain.

• Your child falls.

• Your child has trouble pooping or peeing.

• Your child's lower leg is swollen or painful.

• Your child has a fever over 101°F (38°C).

• Your child has chest pain or shortness of breath.

• Your child has weakness, tingling, or numbness in the arms or legs.