Wound Care
- Keep incision clean and dry
- Wash with soap and water, dry with towel
- Do not remove paper steri-strips
- Do not remove or cut blue sutures
- Men may shave neck around area of paper steri-strips
- Do not apply any creams, ointments, etc. to incision
General Instructions
- Wear collar when out of bed as needed for comfort
- The collar should fit snug and restrict the motion of your neck
- You may shower – unless otherwise instructed
- Do not swim or immerse the incision in water
- Use the incentive Spirometer (plastic blow box) 4 times per day for 2 weeks
- Walk thirty (30) minutes every morning and evening
- Do not use hand weights
- Walk on easy terrain
- Do not smoke cigarettes or use nicotine products
- Do not use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAID’s) ie Motrin, Advil, Naprosyn, ibuprofen, etc.
- Eat a well balanced diet
- Your throat may be sore for a week
- Try to eat easy to swallow foods
- Drink liquids with meals
- Do not drive
- Do not lift anything heavier than 5 pounds
- No strenuous or contact sports
- You will be given a prescription for pain medication; this medication should last until your return visit
- You may only require Tylenol for pain relief
Call Dr. McMorrow if any of the following occur
- You develop a fever (temperature greater than 101.5), chills, nausea, vomiting
- Your incision is red or starts to drain fluid
- Your incision is excessively painful
- You develop excessive neck pain or difficulty swallowing
- Your arms or legs become weak or painful
- You are concerned that something is wrong or do not understand activity restrictions
Return Visit
- You will be seen in clinic 2 weeks after your surgery
- Call office if you do not have 2 week follow up visit scheduled
- You will need X-rays prior to your visit
- Bring all your medications to follow up visits
Subsequent Care
- Please take Vitamin D3 as prescribed
- You may be prescribed a Bone Growth Stimulator; wear device daily as instructed
- Do not have dental procedures for 6 months post-op; after 6 months you will need antibiotics prior to dental procedures