2016, is most commonly a posterior spinal fusion with instrumentation
(PSF/PSSI). Though this blog is, in
general, dedicated to the “growing spine” this entry will focus on adolescent
idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and the many questions that are asked by
parents/caregivers about PSF/PSSI.
Top Frequently Asked Questions
about PSF/PSSI in AIS:
How strong will the spine be after surgery? Do I need to be careful?
Your spine will not be fragile. Multiple screws and rods are used, in a linked
fashion, which corrected your spine deformity and will be holding it firmly in
place. Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) will not harm the outcome of surgery
or your spine.
What plans need to be made at home?
1. When you go home you will sleep in your regular bed, in your regular
bedroom, wear regular clothes, eat regular food, go on walks, car rides, and
see your friends.
2. You can walk up and down stairs, we are not doing surgery in your legs. You
will be fully mobile though you may not walk as fast as you did prior to
surgery, at least temporarily. When you
do walk up and down stairs, it is recommended someone stand below you to make
sure you do not fall down the stairs.
3. You can eat in the kitchen and walk to the family room. You will not be a
“patient” at home.
4. No physical therapy or braces are needed after discharge from the hospital.
5. Regular clothes may be worn. Tight fitting clothes may be uncomfortable.
6. For those patients who were driving cars before surgery it is recommended to
avoid driving until after the 6-week postoperative clinic visit.
7. Driving home from the hospital does not require any special vehicle. If
there is a long drive home you may need to stop more frequently and take
breaks.
8. You will eat regular food at home. Fatty salty, and spicy foods may not
taste good after surgery for several weeks.
Don’t worry the taste of food and your appetite will return to the way
it was before surgery.
How will I sleep at home? You can sleep in any position you choose. If you
prefer to lie on your stomach then use a flatter pillow than normal. It is fine
to sleep on your back.
When can I take a shower or bath after surgery? The first shower or bath can be
taken at 2 weeks after surgery. Before then sponge baths are recommended.
How will the pain after surgery be handled? Postoperative pain will be managed
by the Pain Service, an anesthesiologist driven service. They have a detailed,
thoughtful plan to manage postoperative pain. You will go home with pain
medications that work for you in the hospital. After discharge from the
hospital you will be able to contact the Pain Service if any problems or issues
occur. Most patients are off the prescription narcotic pain medication at 2 weeks
after surgery.
What is the follow up after surgery? The first follow up is at 6 weeks after
surgery. Routine follow up is at 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, 3 years and 5
years.
How do is the fusion assessed after surgery? Radiographic imaging of the fusion
mass is difficult, even with a 3-d imaging like a CT (computerized tomography)
scan. During follow-up visits plain radiographs will be obtained to evaluate
the implants integrity. If the implants are intact at 5 years postoperative
then the fusion is intact.
What are the activity limits after surgery? Competitive athletics is not
recommended for 6 months after surgery. There is no PE or gym class for 6
months. Athletic training and fitness activities are usually acceptable but
must be approved by the surgeon.
Is there any limitation of lifting? There
is a 10 pound lifting limit for the first 6 months after surgery.
What is the chance of needing a second surgery? The historical reoperation rate
at our children’s hospital is 3.9%. The spine implants used will stay in place
permanently. This is a one-shot surgery,
one-and-done.
Will the implants need to be lengthened? No. When a fusion is done the spine
growth is stopped over the length of the spine implants.
Will the fusion stop all future growth? The fusion will stop growth only over
the part of the spine that has spine implants. The spine above and below will
continue to grow, and your legs will continue to grow.
What type of metal is in the implants to be used in surgery? The spine implants
used will be a combination of titanium and cobalt chrome.
What sports are not recommended after surgery? In general collision sports,
such as American football, rugby and wrestling are not recommended. In addition
tumbling and gymnastics are not recommended due the stiffening of the spine
fusion and since the repetitive, excessive motion may loosen the spine
implants, prevent fusion and require repeat surgery. All other contact and
noncontact sports are acceptable.
How much school will be missed?
It is expected you will return to school part-time in 2 weeks and full-time 4
weeks after surgery. Contact the school to inform them of the surgery date and
the time out of school. Let us know what paperwork is needed.
What are risks of surgery? In general there are two types:
1. There are some risks which are common with all surgeries. General anesthesia
is necessary and though the risk of an adverse event occurring is low, it is
not zero. Also an incision is made and incisions can have problems healing and
get infected. Antibiotics are given before, during and after surgery to
minimize the risk of a deep wound infection. There are also many other things
which are done to decrease the risk of infection as close to 0% as possible.
2. There are other risks which are unique to the spine. The spine surgery will
be on the spinal column, or the bone of the spine. Inside of the bone is the
spinal cord, and nerves, which runs from the brain to the lower extremities.
For the purpose of the surgery the spinal cord and nerves acts like a wire from
the brain to the legs, enabling muscle function and sensation in the legs and
controls bowel and bladder function. During surgery the spinal cord function is
continuously monitored by a Neuromonitoring specialist. If the spinal cord function
becomes abnormal this is usually detected quickly using motor and sensory tract
monitoring. This usually, but not always, occurs during correction if the
spinal deformity, typically as the deformity is maximally corrected. If this
happens the surgeon is alerted quickly and several actions are taken
simultaneously to get return of normal spinal cord function. If this happens there is over a 90% chance
that the neurologic condition will return to baseline. We are always prepared
for neurologic problems during surgery.
What are the most likely complications after a spine fusion? As mentioned above
anesthetic problems, wound infection, neurologic deficit (paralysis, bowel or
bladder incontinence, nerve problem, etc…), failure of fusion, implant breakage
or pullout, cerebrospinal fluid leak, need for additional surgery, and
postoperative pain.
How do you choose what spine implants to use for each surgery? Most spine
fusions currently are performed from the back through one midline incision. The
implants used are mainly based on patient size. There are different sized
system to maximize correction and fusion yet to be as low profile as possible.
Where is the incision for a fusion and how long is it? There is one incision in
the middle of the back and it is as long as the planned fusion.
How is the skin closed at the end of surgery? Staples vs. sutures vs. glue? A
plastic surgery-type closure is performed leaving no sutures/stitches above the
skin level. All sutures are absorbable and will dissolve and disappear with
time. On the skin there will only be
glue, much like the Super Glue you can buy at the store, which gradually falls
off in 3-4 weeks.
Can I put vitamin E on the incision? After the skin had completely healed, and
the glue falls off, can lotions be applied. It is inconclusive that vitamin E
lotion improves the appearance of surgical scars.
Will I need a brace after surgery? No
Will I need physical therapy (PT) after discharge from the hospital? No.