Attention ortho nurses!!

HonestRN · May 27, 2009

Providing there were no complications with the surgery the patient would be up and in a chair the day after surgery on my unit even if it was a laminectomy with a fusion. PT will not begin or resume until at least 3 months however the patient is usually mobile. Driving will be limited for at least 3 weeks post-op as will heavy lifting, torso twisting, etc.

3 months of bedrest could lead to further complications such as DVT and pneumonia. I can't imagine this being ordered unless there is a specific underlying condition you have not mentioned.

newohiorn, BSN, RN, EMT-P · May 27, 2009

I worked on a spinal surgery for over a year and never had any patient on bedrest for 3 months. Our fusion patients were dangled at bedside night of surgery and up walking the next day. A fusion without some other complications or extenuating circumstances would not require bedrest and, as others have said, would simply lead to other complications like skin issues, pneumonia, etc.

kids · May 27, 2009

I was told by someone who had back surgery that they are on bed rest for 3 months. Is that a little extreme? I think it was a spinal fusion. Will provide more details later...

I dunno, there are a lot of variables including things that can impair bone strength & healing.

I do know that I've had 9 back surgeries the longest I've ever been down was 2 days and that was following one that had me on the table for 15 hours. I'm fused at 9 levels (S1-T10), my last few surgeries were very complex and well outside the norm. The 'most restricted' I have been is a full year in a rigid brace, 6 months post op until PT and not allowed to lift more than a cup of coffee for the first year.

I also know that 20-ish years ago we did keep fusions in the hospital, on bed rest and log rolling for 3-6 weeks.

diane227, LPN, RN · May 27, 2009

I am an ortho nurse and no patients stays on bedrest. Any one who did that would be a great risk for a PE. They get up with PT the day of or the day after surgery. The only time they have to lay flat is when the dura is nicked and they are having CSF drainage. They have to be flat for 3 days when this occurs. They are discharged on day three with post operative outpatients PT.