Verhalten nach Operationen

Standing up:

It is possible to stand up directly after the operation as long as it is not ordered differently. Due to circulation problems you should contact the health care stuff before standing up.

Walking:

Is possible without any limitation. During the first week the walking could be painful if you walk longer than one hour.

Showering:

At the 2nd day after the operation you can have a shower as long as you have a waterrepellent patch. Please inform the health care stuff in advance.

Control of the wound:

During the first 10 days after the operation the wound should be controlled by a physician every 2-3 days. If it comes to swelling , an inflammation or any kind of secretion please contact a physician immideatly.

Stiches:

Mostly it is not necessary to pull the stitches because they are self- dissolving. The fixing patches will resolve by their own or can be taken off after 5 days. If there are not seld- dissolving stiches they can be removed after 10 days.

Pain after the operation:

In most of the cases the wound pain declines after 2 days. At the 3rd day after the operation there it could occur that the old pain comes back but it will decrease after another day. Pain needs to be treated you do not have to suffer and we will provide you with all the necessary medications after the operation.

Rehabilitation:

We will consider the possibility of a rehab before the operation and if necessary organize it. Only in rare cases we will initiate a direct transfer from the hospital to a stationary rehab but in most of the cases you will be allowed to go home first.

Sitting and driving a car:

After an operation of a slipped disk

During the first days it is allowed to perfom small and short siting exercises which can be prolonged step by step each day. Please keep in mind that the vertebral column experiences a lot of load during sitting. You should avoid to bend down and to lift heavy loads.

During the first week you should not sit longer than 15 min. for approx. 6 times a day. At the 2nd week you can prolong the time to 6 x 30 min..

Same applies for driving a car as co- driver. We are much more under stress when we drive a car so try to keep it steady.

After an operation at the spinal canal

It is possible and allowed to sit without any limitations during the first week. The mobilization can be initiated much earlier compared to an operation of the vertebral column

Sports:

Rotations as well as fast and sudden movements should be avoided during the first 6 weeks (applies for soccer, golf, ball sports or tennis). Sports where it comes to concussion loke jogging or horse- riding should be avoided as well

Getting back to work:

You should plan 6 weeks for regeneration and training the vertebral column before getting back to work even if you feel much better after some days.

Reintegration:

We can organize a step by step reintegration for you. The plan can be created very flexible and will be adjusted to you individually. You can start with 3 hours a day as long as forced posture and heavy lifting are avoided.

Movements:

A slipped disk is a severe experience for most of the people and comes together with questions if my body is busted or if it worsens. The self- conception by with we have used our body before is gone. We will try to guide you as good as possible through the process of getting comftorble and relaxed again.

There is not much which you could make wrong. Only heavy lifting or sudden rotations can have a negative impact.

Standing up:

It is possible to stand up directly after the operation as long as it is not ordered differently. Due to circulation problems you should contact the health care stuff before standing up.

Walking:

Is possible without any limitation. During the first week the walking could be painful if you walk longer than one hour.

Showering:

At the 2nd day after the operation you can have a shower as long as you have a waterrepellent patch. Please inform the health care stuff in advance.

Control of the wound:

During the first 10 days after the operation the wound should be controlled by a physician every 2-3 days. If it comes to swelling , an inflammation or any kind of secretion please contact a physician immideatly.

Stiches:

Mostly it is not necessary to pull the stitches because they are self- dissolving. The fixing patches will resolve by their own or can be taken off after 5 days. If there are not seld- dissolving stiches they can be removed after 10 days.

Pain after the operation:

In most of the cases the wound pain declines after 2 days. At the 3rd day after the operation there it could occur that the old pain comes back but it will decrease after another day. Pain needs to be treated you do not have to suffer and we will provide you with all the necessary medications after the operation.

Rehab:

Is not necessary in most oft he cases

Driving a car:

If there is no neurologic deficit you are allowed to drive a car immediately after you leave the hospital. Same applies for driving a car as co- driver. We are much more under stress when we drive a car so try to keep it steady.

Sports:

Rotations as well as fast and sudden movements should be avoided during the first 6 weeks (applies for soccer, golf, ball sports or tennis). Sports where it comes to concussion like jogging or horse- riding should be avoided as well

Please avoid headers for at least half a year.

Getting back to work:

You should plan 6 weeks for regeneration and training the vertebral column before getting back to work even if you feel much better after some days.

Reintegration:

We can organize a step by step reintegration for you. The plan can be created very flexible and will be adjusted to you individually. You can start with 3 hours a day as long as forced posture and heavy lifting are avoided.

Movements:

A slipped disk is a severe experience for most of the people and comes together with questions if my body is busted or if it worsens. The self- conception by with we have used our body before is gone. We will try to guide you as good as possible through the process of getting comftorble and relaxed again.

There is not much which you could make wrong. Only heavy lifting or sudden rotations can have a negative impact.

During your stay in the hospital or after some days back at home it could happen that some backpain comes back or you feel prickling or pain in your leg. Pain which come up after approx. 2-3 days after the operation are normal and will decline after 1- 2 days. The best cure is to rest and lay down as much as possible. You can allay the pain by taking painkillers ( eg. Ibuprofen 400mg 3x a day). If the pain stays please contact us or you family doctor.

Block of the sacroiliacic joint:

Frequently there are patients which experience pain at the sacroiliacic joint after an operation of the vertebral column. Compared to eg. the shoulder joint this joint allows only limited movements and contains a lot of muscles and ligaments. It is the only direct connection between the vertebral column and the legs and therefor experiences a lot of load. An overuse can lead to pain and many patients get into a relieving posture which can lead to different complaints.

The pain originates from the back and radiates into the groin or the thigh.

It is important to note that this pain is originated from a temporary block which can be treated with syringes and some physiotherapeutic exercises.

Rehab:

We will always discuss the possibilty of a rehab before an operation and if necessary organize an appointment with our social worker Mrs. Linke or Mrs. Mons (Tel: 06432 5062024)

The rehab can be done ambulant or stationary and takes about 3 weeks. If you have choosen the ambulant variant you will be picked up and driven back from the rehab station.

The closest center in our area is the Rehab- center Meuser in Limburg