How to care for scoliosis surgery patients

Mikaail’s operation went smoothly and the surgeon is also very happy about it especially since the surgeon was out of town 3 days after the operation for 10 days.  Mikaail was discharged a week after his operation.

At the follow up appointment, we were told that his wound dressing needs to be changed. His wound dressing was changed a day before he was discharged.  One of the nurses showing us how to change his wound dressing.

Wound Care

• Keep the wound dressing clean and dry. The doctor said that it is ok to shower as the waterproof dressing will protect the wound. Being the kiasu parents, we decided to sponge him for the moment.  We started giving him a bath about 3 days after his discharged from hospital.
• Over the next month or so, we need to change the dressing twice a week for the first 2 weeks and weekly for the subsequent weeks till another follow up visit a month later.
• The nurse told us that when cleaning the dressing, we need to look out for any increase in redness around the wound area, swelling, gapping of the operation wound, pus/dampness around the wound area or we would need to go to the hospital for a check.

Home Environment

• Sleeping on a bed with a firm base is encouraged.  The funny thing is that though the hospital encouraged us to do this, there is not one available in the hospital.
• We bought Mikaail a gigantic wheelchair as this unit can be tilted and also set to a lying position so we can minimize movement to allow his back to cure properly.

Diet & Medication

• Though there is no special diet or fluid restrictions, the hospital food is so bland.  I really wonder who plans the menu!  This morning, one of the doctors who saw Mikaail was surprised that I ordered "mee rebus" for his breakfast and the doctor said "hospital food is much to be desired!".  I personally feel  that the meal planner/dietician should ensure that the food served to the patients should be healthy and at the same time tasty as the patients need to recover from their illness!
• No special medication prescribed to him except for paracetemol and ibuprofen to be taken for 2 weeks or when there is pain.

Physical Activity

• After the scoliosis operation, it is advisable to turn around with your entire body and feet instead of twisting your waist and back.
• In order to keep your back straight, do not bend at your waist.  Instead bend at your knees.
• Advisable not to carry heavy loads of more than 5 kg (10-15 lbs).
• Shift your body weight so you do not remain in the same standing/sitting position for more than 30 minutes.
• Treat your back with care.
• A good form of exercise is walking.  Take short walks daily and gradually increasing the duration or distance of your walk as you recover. Climbing stairs is fine.
• As you recover, you can slowly increase your level of activity.
• If you feel more pain than usual after an activity, you many have overdone your activity. Stop and take it easy for a few hours.
• I dont think Mikaail will be prescribed with a brace.  However, if you are, do remember to wear it when you are awake.  No need to wear the brace when sleeping.

Scoliosis Operation: Day 3 (Friday, 13 May 2011)

Mikaail had a bottle of Brands Essence of Chicken (42 g), half of a half-boiled egg, soya bean drink (15ml) for his first breakfast today, after 2 days of no food, no drink. So far he was able to keep his food and did not throw up and that’s a good sign.

For lunch, he had about 1.5 tablespoon of tofu and 17 ml of Paediasure milk followed by 17.5 ml of paracetemol and about 10 ml of water. Half way through his medication, he said he is full of medication!  Usually he will say which food he is full and which he will continue. 

This is his lunch:

Looks are so deceiving!  The burger is really soggy as the mayo sauce and butter spread on the bread make the bread really yukky!  Then there is the fish fillet on the bread which is just as bad as the bread.  How does the dietician plan the meals?

Considering that he is just out of a major operation, I feel he is managing the operation fantastically well!

He was transferred from ICU to the general ward late this afternoon.

Curved Spine (Scoliosis) - Operate or Not?

The hospital has yet to call to fix the appointment for Mikaail's scoliosis operation.  Previously the doctor said will be in early 2011.   It's now mid Jan and I have not heard from the hospital.  I didnt follow up as I am unsure whether to proceed with the operation or not.  At the back of my mind, I know that with the operation, he will probably be in pain for a bit but in the long term, it will be better for him as he should be able to breathe better.  I am just afraid if there will be any side effects or screw up!

His rib cage on the right side is protruding.  Actually when he is seated he tend to be resting his weight on one side.