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.
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“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.
