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The patient will be hospitalized for several days after surgery. The repaired spine should be kept in proper position to maintain alignment. If the surgery involved a chest incision, a chest tube may be present to drain fluid build-up. This is usually removed after 24-72 hours.
The patient will be taught how to move properly, how to reposition, sit, stand and walk. While in bed, the patient will need to turn using a "log-rolling" technique, meaning that the entire body is moved as a unit, not twisting the spine.
There is usually considerable pain for the first few days after surgery, and pain medication will be given regularly, perhaps by patient-controlled analgesia (PCA). The patient will probably have a urinary catheter.
Because of the risk of temporarily decreased or absent intestinal function (paralytic ileus) after spinal surgery, the patient may not be able to eat for 2-3 days and will be fed intravenously.
The patient may be discharged with a back brace or cast.
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