Scoliosis: Orthopaedic spinal surgery for ambulant children information sheet
Contact details
Orthopaedics Department
Location: Level 0, Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick
Phone:
- Reception: 02 9382 1050
- Orthopaedic Spine CNC: 0419 198 060
Introduction
This information sheet explains what happens before the orthopaedic spinal operation for ambulant children, and what to expect in recovery.
This information is for educational purposes only. For further information regarding this topic, please talk to your child's health care team.
Before the operation
Pre-admission clinic
You'll be asked to come to the pre-admission clinic before the surgery. This is where you will meet our specialist team. If necessary, X-rays will be taken, and blood tests will be done.
The physiotherapist will show you some breathing exercises to do after the surgery and the correct way to 鈥榣og roll鈥� and get in and out of bed. This is important to help protect, maximise, and strengthen bone healing and minimise discomfort.
An occupational therapist will discuss your home and school environment, and examine your mobility and transport needs.
The surgical team, Spinal Clinical Nurse Consultant (CNC), and the anaesthetics team will review you in the clinic.
X-ray diagrams
Operation day
Admission
You will be admitted to the Short Stay Surgical Unit (SSSU) on Level 1 in the C1South ward before going to the operating theatre. The length of your stay will be advised by your surgeon.
During surgery
During surgery, an IV (intravenous cannula) is placed to provide pain relief. A urinary catheter is inserted to help empty your bladder. Additionally, a drain is used to remove blood and fluid from the surgery site and around the wound.
When you wake up
After surgery you will be taken to recovery or the Intensive Care Unit for monitoring.
Lying on your back or side is okay. Nurses will help to regularly turn you by 鈥榣og rolling鈥� you to avoid pressure areas and check your operation site. If it's ok for you to sit, they will adjust the bed.
After your operation, it's important to practice deep breathing and leg exercises. A physiotherapist will visit to check how well your lungs are working.
On your first night, your care team will check on you every 1-2 hours. They will ask you to move your hands and feet and check if you feel any pain or strange sensations.
Pain relief
Older children will have a PCA (patient-controlled analgesia) button attached to the IVC. When you press the green button, you will give yourself a dose of pain medication.
Younger children will have pain relief monitored and administered by the nursing staff.
Recovery
Getting up (day 1)
In the morning the nurse will help wash you in bed and may remove the wound drain. A physiotherapist will help you to sit up and get out of bed to sit in a chair. You could sit up for half an hour or as much as you are able.
When getting out of bed for the first time you may feel dizzy and nauseous, but this will stop happening when you start sitting up more regularly.
Your care team will visit you to review your pain relief. It is important to tell them the level of pain you are experiencing when resting and moving.
Walking (day 2-3)
The physiotherapist will help you walk around the ward for the first time. You are encouraged to sit up for longer periods (up to two hours), two to three times a day.
It鈥檚 normal to feel tired when you sit up. The occupational therapist will help you use the bathroom and provide any equipment you need to safely get on and off the toilet.
They might ask you questions about your home and school to plan what equipment you鈥檒l need when you leave the hospital.
The pain management team will check on your pain relief. You may be able to switch to pain medication that you can take by mouth. Depending on how well you are doing, you might be able to have your urinary catheter removed.
More walking (day 4-5)
By days 4 to 5, you should be able to walk around on your own. The physiotherapist will help you practice walking up and down stairs and discuss what you can do at home.
Remember to roll and get out of bed correctly. It's important to move around and not stay in bed all day. You will have follow-up x-rays with our imaging department after your operation to check your progress.
Discharge (day 5-7)
Your care team will organise your next appointment to see your surgeon and check progress. This will be three to four months after your operation.
Plan to meet with your doctor about ten to fourteen days after your surgery to have your wound checked.
If you have any concerns after you leave, you can always phone your medical team at the hospital.
Return to school
Before you leave, you will get a letter for school with guidelines to help you return safely.
School bags should be light (less than two kilograms) for the first two months and then up to five kilograms until you see your doctors again.
You can return to school when you feel comfortable.
Lifting and exerise
You can start swimming after four to six weeks if your wound is healed.
Do not do any strenuous exercise until you see your surgeon again. Please ask any questions before leaving the hospital.
For lifting: during the first week at home, keep it to about 1 kg and then slowly increase the weight. Avoid heavy lifting until you talk to your surgeon.
How to log roll
