From the Research
Spinal fusion aftercare should prioritize a multimodal pain control regimen, including preoperative oral medications and postoperative interventions, to minimize opioid consumption and promote optimal recovery, as evidenced by the most recent study 1.
Key Considerations
- Activity restrictions: Patients should avoid bending, twisting, lifting objects over 5 pounds, and limit sitting to 30-minute intervals for the first 6-12 weeks.
- Pain management: A tapering schedule of prescription medications, such as oxycodone, NSAIDs, and acetaminophen, should be used to manage pain, with a focus on minimizing opioid use.
- Wound care: The incision should be kept clean and dry, and patients should avoid submerging it in water for 2-3 weeks.
- Physical therapy: Gentle exercises should begin 4-6 weeks post-surgery, gradually increasing in intensity.
- Nutrition: Adequate protein intake (at least 1.2g per kg of body weight) and vitamin D (800-1000 IU daily) support bone healing.
Multimodal Pain Control Regimen
The use of a multimodal pain control regimen, as described in the 2020 study 1, can significantly reduce in-hospital opioid consumption, with a cumulative reduction of 62% compared to traditional pain management approaches.
Additional Interventions
Other studies, such as 2 and 3, suggest that interventions like gabapentin and epidural analgesia may also be effective in reducing pain and promoting recovery, but the most recent and highest-quality evidence supports the use of a multimodal pain control regimen 1.