Activity

• If a brace was prescribed to you, wear it as directed. You usually don't need to wear the brace at night. And only bend within the limits of your brace.

• Take short walks. Start by walking for 5 minutes and slowly build up your time and distance.

• Don't drive for 2 days after the procedure, or as directed by your health care provider. And never drive while you are taking narcotic pain medicine or any medicine that makes you drowsy or distracted.

• Don't do any heavy lifting for 3 months (nothing heavier than 5 pounds). After 3 months, you can slowly increase your lifting to normal unless directed otherwise by your provider.

Home care

• Take your medicine exactly as directed. Call your health care provider if you have any problems.

• Remove the small bandages on your cut (incision) after 24 to 48 hours or as directed by your provider. Often there are no stitches to be removed.

• Wait 1 to 2 days before showering or taking a bath. And don't swim in a pool or sit in a hot tub until your provider tells you it’s okay.

• Have someone help apply an ice pack to ease the pain around the incisions. Leave the ice pack in place for 20 minutes, then leave it off for 20 minutes. Pain at the incision sites may last for a few days. To make an ice pack, put ice cubes in a plastic bag that seals at the top. Wrap the bag in a clean, thin towel or cloth. Never put ice or an ice pack directly on the skin.

• Keep your head raised 30° when lying down for 1 to 2 days after the surgery.

Follow-up care

Follow up with your health care provider as advised.

Call 911

Call 911 right away if you have:

• Chest pain.

• Shortness of breath.

• Trouble controlling your bladder or bowels.

• Trouble walking.

When to call your health care provider

Call your health care provider or seek medical care right away if you have:

• A fever of 100.4° (38°C) or higher, or as directed by your provider.

• Shaking chills.

• Severe pain or increased redness, swelling, drainage, or warmth around the incision sites.

• Weakness, numbness, or tingling in your legs.

• Difficulty urinating.

• New severe back pain or headache.

• Pain or swelling in your calf.