Postoperative Orders
- Imaging to check spine: Plain films are often obtained the day after surgery to confirm instrumentation placement and success of the reduction, if performed.
- Analgesia: Postoperative pain relief is usually met with a combination of intravenous ketorolac, diazepam, and morphine.
- Inpatient rehabilitation: Inpatient rehabilitation may occasionally be required.
Postoperative Morbidity
- Anemia: Laboratory tests are ordered if necessary to monitor hemoglobin levels after a large spine operation.
- Wound care: Generally, the clean dressing is removed on postoperative day 3 and the wound is kept clean with soap and water. Submerging the incision is prohibited until it is fully healed.