Home care after surgery for scoliosis

Parents are normally highly motivated to learn how to give care to their children. Adolescents convalescing after Harrington instrumentation and spinal fusion need to actively participate in decisions concerning their care. As much effort as possible should be made to allow them to follow a normal routine, within the limits of the surgeon's instructions. Both parents and patients need teaching, support and reinforcement from the nurse. They need to know how they are coping. The parents need to be supported and reinforced in their performance of home care and in their acceptance of the patient within the family life-style. Adolescents need to be supported in their independence and adjustment to their new and temporary immobility. Assessment of the home and an informative teaching program on home care needs to be initiated as soon as possible after surgery.