CUÉLLAR SPINE
PATIENT RESOURCES
PATIENT RESOURCES
Individualized
Spinal Care
Each body is unique — as are spinal conditions, treatments, and the recovery process. At Cuéllar Spine, we are invested in our patients’ process of recovery and are here to support that journey every step of the way. Our unique patient resources and patient forms allow our staff to track your recovery milestones post-op, as you get closer to your goal.
MISSION STATEMENT
Live, Limitlessly.
At Cuéllar Spine, we’re committed to quality care. For patients suffering from long-term and/or acute pain, that means following alongside you every step of the way. Our patient resources provide you with valuable information pre- and post-op, to give you a sense of what to expect in your path to recovery. We understand that our patients need to feel the support of our team from the time we meet until you have finally healed and returned to normal activities. The Cuéllar Spine promise is to keep the lines of communication open and easy, and our unique online resources are just one of the new and innovative ways that we are providing that to our patients.
“After going through spinal surgery myself, I found my calling to bring restoration and healing to others. There is hope for your condition, and I can help to get you there.”
- Jason M. Cuéllar, MD
New
Patient Packet
Neck
Disability Index
Oswestry
Disability Index
FOR OUR PATIENTS
Upload Your
Medical Images
Upload your medical images through our secure site, so that our team of professionals can make a robust assessment of your condition.
GET YOUR LIFE BACK
Cervical Spine Care
After Surgery
Fill out our post-surgical forms so our staff can support you every step of the way.
Post-Op Instructions
KEEP US INFORMED
Lumbar Spine Care
After Surgery
We’re here to help you every step of the way, post-operation. See below for our Lumbar Recovery Forms.
Post-Op Instructions
Recovery After Surgery
I am commonly asked how long the recovery takes after spine surgery and when the patient will be able to shower, walk, drive, get back to work etc. My answer will always depend on the specific operation, and everyone is different, but here are some general guidelines.
LUMBAR
(LOW BACK)
PROCEDURES
Posterior Lumbar One or Two-Level Fusions:
Week 1: Walking on day 1; go home from the hospital on day 2-3; start showering day 2-3
Week 2: Walking more normally, start tapering off of pain medications, post-op office visit 10-14 days after the surgery for a wound check. Start driving if off of narcotic pain medications.
Weeks 3-4: Most can drive by now. Return to work if a non-physical job.
Weeks 4-6: Second post-op office visit at 6 weeks with first post-op XRAY
Weeks 6-12: Getting back to life as usual. Bone fusion should be complete at approximately 3-4 months in most people; Full recovery expected.
Posterior Lumbar Minimally-Invasive Decompression/Microdiskectomy:
Week 1: Walking on day 1; go home from the hospital or surgery center on day 1 or 2; start showering day 2-3
Week 2: Walking more normally, start tapering off of pain medications, post-op office visit 10-14 days after the surgery for a wound check. Start driving if off of narcotic pain medications. Limit lifting to less than 10 lbs.
Weeks 3-4: Driving by now. Return to work if a non-physical job. Limit lifting to less than 10 lbs.
Weeks 4-6: Second post-op office visit at 6 weeks. Start physical therapy or exercise at the gym. Limit lifting to less than 10 lbs.
Weeks 6-12: Getting back to life as usual. Full recovery expected. Limit lifting to 30lbs.
Anterior Lumbar Diskectomy and Fusion:
Week 1: Walking on day 1; go home from the hospital on day 2-4; start showering day 2-3
Week 2: Walking more normally, start tapering off of pain medications, post-op office visit 10-14 days after the surgery for a wound check. Start driving if off of narcotic pain medications.
Weeks 3-4: Most can drive by now. Return to work if a non-physical job.
Weeks 4-6: Second post-op office visit at 6 weeks with first post-op XRAY
Weeks 6-12: Getting back to life as usual. Bone fusion should be complete at approximately 3-4 months in most people; Full recovery expected.
Anterior Lumbar Disc Replacement:
Week 1: Walking on day 1; go home from the hospital on day 1-3; start showering day 2-3
Week 2: Walking more normally, start tapering off of pain medications, post-op office visit 10-14 days after the surgery for a wound check. Start driving if off of narcotic pain medications.
Weeks 3-4: Walking is getting better, most can drive by now. Return to work typical if a non-physical job.
Weeks 4-6: Second post-op office visit at 6 weeks with first post-op XRAY
Weeks 6-12: Getting back to life as usual, boney ongrowth to the implant typically complete; start physical therapy/gym exercise
Months 3-6: Full recovery expected.
CERVICAL (NECK)
PROCEDURES
Anterior Cervical Disc Replacement:
Week 1: Walking on day 1; go home from the hospital on day 1-2; start showering day 2-3. Many patients have some sore throat and swallowing difficulty this first week.
Week 2: Improved swallowing. First post-op visit at 10-14 days for a wound check. Minimal neck pain expected, taper off of all narcotic pain medications. Driving is ok if off of pain medications. Return to work is usually possible by now.
Weeks 3-4: Getting back to normal life.
Weeks 4-6: Bone healing to the implant typically complete or near-complete.
Weeks 6-12: Full recovery expected.
Anterior Cervical Diskectomy and Fusion:
Week 1: Walking on day 1; go home from the hospital on day 1-2; start showering day 2-3. Many patients have some sore throat and swallowing difficulty this first week.
Week 2: Improved swallowing. Minimal neck pain expected, taper off of all narcotic pain medications. Driving is ok if off of pain medications. Return to work is usually possible by now. First post-op visit at 10-14 days for a wound check.
Weeks 3-4: Getting back to normal life.
Weeks 4-6: Second post-op visit at 6 weeks, XRAY will be taken.
Months 3-6: Full recovery expected. Bone fusion usually complete at 3-4 months.
Posterior Cervical Microdecompression:
Week 1: Walking on day 1; go home from the hospital or surgery center on day 1 or 2; start showering day 2-3
Week 2: Start tapering off of pain medications, post-op office visit 10-14 days after the surgery for a wound check. Start driving if off of narcotic pain medications.
Weeks 3-4: Driving by now. Return to work if a non-physical job. Neck pain resolving.
Weeks 4-6: Second post-op office visit at 6 weeks. Start physical therapy or exercise at the gym.
Weeks 6-12: Getting back to life as usual. Full recovery expected.
Posterior Cervical Fusion:
Week 1: Walking on day 1; go home from the hospital or surgery center on day 1 or 2; start showering day 2-3
Week 2: Start tapering off of pain medications, post-op office visit 10-14 days after the surgery for a wound check. Start driving if off of narcotic pain medications.
Weeks 3-4: Driving by now. Return to work if a non-physical job. Neck pain resolving.
Weeks 4-6: Second post-op office visit at 6 weeks. Start physical therapy or exercise at the gym. Repeat XR at 6 weeks.
Weeks 6-12: Fusion usually nearing completion during this time. Getting back to life as usual.
IN THE MEDIA
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FROM OUR PATIENTS
“Attentive, knowledgeable, professional, and treats every patient with individual care! Saved my dad’s life with his minimally invasive procedure and his mindfulness of the medication my father was on before procedure. Thank you Dr. Cuéllar!”
- Eleena H.
FROM OUR PATIENTS
“Dr. Cuellar - THANK YOU!
When you live with pain for so long you tend forget what it's like to feel great and to be able to do all the things that you once did but had to give up. I tried everything under the sun to help alleviate my chronic back pain before I decided to go the surgery route. I was seen by two orthopedic surgeons about my issues and was told that I would need a spinal fusion and I knew I didn't want to go that route. By happenstance, I heard about Dr. Cuellar and ADR surgery.
On my way home from my initial appointment with Dr. Cuellar I was confident that if I was a candidate for ADR, he was the one that was going to help me. He's very knowledgeable, compassionate, professional and an all-around nice individual. When I explained to him what was going on he was attentive, which has not been my experience with doctors in the past. His friendly support staff was communicative about appointments and pre-op/post-op information.
On 12/8/23 I had two artificial discs replaced at the L4 L5 levels - I'm 3 months post-surgery and feeling wonderful.
I highly recommend Dr. Cuellar for spinal issues.”
- ANGELA D.
FROM OUR PATIENTS
“Dr. Jason Cuéllar is the most gentle, genuine, and talented doctor I have ever met. From our first consultation to his continued care after both my procedures, he remains steady. He addresses all of your questions and concerns without hesitation and does not make you feel rushed or a bother. He has changed my life forever and I am forever in his debt. He has given me my life back.
I have been in debilitating pain for over 15 years, with the last 5, leaving me almost bedridden. He addressed my problem areas within my vertebrae and gave me so much HOPE. I was extremely skeptical of the positivity he was putting out, but I had NO other choice and I was tired of the run around with so many other Dr. and chiropractors. I’m so happy I followed through and he took me into his hands. I couldn’t have asked for a better outcome. The whole process was smooth and easy. The staff helped me when I would become anxious and made sure to reassure and address any concerns I had before surgery. Dr. Cuellar and the anesthesiologist both came to me and talked with me before each surgery. When I awoke, he was there beside me again.
I just can’t express enough, the gratitude and love I have for him. If you are in doubt, don’t be. You are in the best hands out there. Don’t hesitate, you won’t regret it. I had 3 cervical ADR and 2 lumbar ADR”
- LESLIE
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PALM BEACH COUNTY
PALM BEACH GARDENS
4362 Northlake Blvd, Suite 209
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PALM BEACH
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