My Spine - Lumbar
Your specialist will make a small cut along your spinous processes. The
length of the incision depends on various factors such as patient size, the
number of spinal levels involved and your specialist’s preference. The length
of the incision is actually of little consequence with regard to the success of
the operation.
The soft tissue and muscles that are attached to the vertebrae are then stripped
away by means of a combination of electrosurgical cautery (a blade that cuts
with an electrical current) and dissecting instruments. All the compressive
bone, ligaments and disc fragments are then removed and the nerves probed
to make sure that they are not restricted in the spinal canal and in the foram-
ina through which they exit the spinal canal. If there are sufficient structures
left to allow it, your specialist might place a spacer between the spinous
processes of the adjacent vertebrae to keep the spinal canal open which
allows the nerves more space. Thereafter the wound is stitched up.
Ward care
You would be expected to get out of bed quite soon and usually on the first
day following surgery. You may usually walk around as much as you want
depending on the stability of your spine. Your specialist will advise you about
this. You should take care and not sit for too long or on a seat that is very low.
This is to prevent you from placing too much strain on your lower back. Most
specialists recommend a duration of 30 minutes or less of sitting at a time.
Discharge
You would normally be discharged at about five to ten days after surgery,
depending on the degree of pain and disability you are experiencing and on
the absence of any complicating wound factors or concern about your gener-
al health at the time.
The hospital staff will assist you in obtaining your follow-up consultation
bookings, the prescribed analgesics to take home, the sick leave-certificate to
be provided by your doctor and the instructions regarding wound care provi-
sions in the post-operative period.
121