← Neuromuscular Scoliosis: A Guide for Families
Recovery is slow and steady. This is a big operation for a child who may have other medical problems, so careful monitoring is part of getting through it safely.
Immediately after surgery
- Your surgeon comes to the waiting area to tell you the surgery is finished
- Your child goes to the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU)
- Some children need help breathing until they are awake and strong enough to have the breathing tube removed safely
- Once your child is settled, you can visit. Your child spends at least one night in the PICU before moving to the ward
The first few days
- The hospital stay is usually about a week, sometimes longer. The focus is on pain control, bowel and bladder routine, getting back to your child's usual level of activity, and teaching you how to care for your child at home
- Pain, eating and bowel routine depend on how quickly the stomach and bowel "wake up". Once bowel sounds return, your child moves on to the usual food and fluids. Pain medicine switches from the drip to liquid or tablets by mouth or tube. A bladder catheter usually stays until then. Constipation is common after anaesthesia, strong pain medicines and less activity, and the team will help manage it
- Physiotherapists work with your child and you to help with transfers and daily activities. Physiotherapy is usually not needed once your child is home
- Monitoring is frequent: bedside visits, blood tests, and machines to check heart rate and blood pressure. It is an important part of safe recovery, but it can interrupt sleep and frustrate families. Each day, your child's team will tell you what to expect
Going home
We send your child home when they can sit comfortably, pain is controlled by mouth or tube, they are eating or feeding well, and their bowels are working. Before you go, we'll show you how to care for the wound and how to transfer and position your child. We will also check that any equipment is ready, such as a hospital bed or adjusted wheelchair, and book your follow-up visit.
At home
- The first phase: getting used to being home and carrying on with the pain control used in hospital. Some children feel the rods in their back, which takes time to get used to. Your child needs more help with transfers and bathing than before surgery
- The second phase, about six weeks after returning home: your child moves more and needs less pain medicine
- The third phase, about 12 weeks after returning home: little pain medicine is needed and your child's energy starts returning to normal
Check the wound every day. Call us if you see spreading redness, swelling or tenderness, yellow or green fluid, a bad smell, a fever, or a wound that has opened.
Most children are away from school for about six to eight weeks. If your child still needs strong pain medicine, they aren't ready to go back. Talk to the school early about transport and help during the day.