Even though spine surgeries continue to get smaller and smaller, the reality is that you will be left with one or more incision sites that you’ll need to take care of in the wake of your operation. Until these incision sites fully close, these areas can be prone to infection, which can cause significant problems for your spine and whole body. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at some of the ways you can care for your wound site after a spinal procedure.
Caring For Your Incision Site After Back Surgery
Like a lot of advice and general guidance that we provide on our blog, remember that your best bet is to follow the specific care instructions that you receive from your treating surgeon. Wound care may vary based on the size of the incision or the type of suture used to close the wound, so there’s no one size fits all playbook for caring for your wound site. With that in mind, here are some things to keep in mind when caring for your incision site after spine surgery.
1. Change Your Dressing As Directed
Even if an infection never develops, odds are you may notice a little discharge onto your dressing as the site heals. Make sure to change your bandages at regular intervals, as failing to remove soiled dressings can increase your risk of an infection. If changing your bandages is difficult because they are located on your back, enlist a friend or family member to help remove the old dressing and apply a new one as directed by your surgeon.
2. Know The Signs Of An Infection
The sooner an infection is spotted and treated, the quicker it can be contained, limiting the damage it can do. In order to catch an infection in its infancy, it’s important to be able to spot the early warning signs of an infection, which include:
- Redness
- Warmth/Heat
- Discolored Discharge
- Foul Smell
- Fever
Keep an eye out for these signs of an infection, and reach out to your doctor if you believe that your wound site may be infected. Again, if getting a good look at the incision site is difficult because of its location, have a friend or family member help.
3. Bathing Basics
We’re just going to defer to the advice of your treating surgeon here and tell you to follow their specific instructions for showering and getting the incision site wet. Oftentimes the area can be protected and you can take a shower after enough healing has taken place, but it’s typically not advised to take a bath or submerge the incision site under water. Just stick to the bathing tips provided by the surgeon who performed your operation.
4. Dry Is Best
Moisture can cause problems for your incision site or delay healing, so try to keep the area dry. Again, this is why damp bandages need to be changed and submerging the area under water is not advised. Wear loose-fitting shirts and try to sit or lay down in positions such that the incision site is exposed to air and can breathe, so to speak. This will help the area heal.
If you can do all of the above, we’re confident that your incision site will heal properly following spine surgery. For more information, or for help with a different spinal issue, reach out to Dr. Sinicropi and the team at The Midwest Spine & Brain Institute today at (651) 430-3800.
