One of the best things a patient can do for their provider and for their own health in the wake of a spinal operation is to be an active participant in their recovery. We don’t want you to just lay in bed for six weeks and expect your spine to be strong and pain free once some time has passed. We want patients who are actively working to help their spine heal and make the strongest recovery possible.
But what are some of the ways you can be actively involved in your recovery after spine surgery? In today’s blog, we share five ways great patients take an active role in their recovery following spine surgery.
How To Get Involved In Your Rehab After Spine Surgery
Here’s a look at five ways to take an active role in your rehabilitation and recovery following a spinal procedure.
- Listen To Your Doctor – This may sound obvious, but actively listening to your spine surgeon and your care team before and after the procedure will go a long way in helping you heal because you’ll know what you need to do to help your body recover. If you’re only half listening or you don’t read your post-care instructions, you probably won’t make the best recovery. Pay attention and bring a friend or family member to your consults if you want a second set of ears to help with instructions.
- Do Your PT Exercises – Physical therapy is what drives home physical function improvements after an operation. You’ll be more flexible, stronger and more capable if you follow your physical therapy schedule. In other words, you’ll have better outcomes if you are diligent about following your physical therapy schedule, so stick to it!
- Ask Questions – If you have any questions throughout the process, please don’t hesitate to ask. Questions show that you’re actively listening and making sure that you understand how to have the strongest recovery possible. Whether you want clarification about how to perform an exercise or you’re wondering if you can be cleared for certain activities, ask questions to your surgeon and your care team.
- Set Goals – Everyone has different goals following a spine surgery. Maybe you want to be able to play golf again, or you want to be able to sit for an extended period without low back pain. Share these goals with your care team and your physical therapists, because they’ll be able to implement techniques to help you achieve these goals. We know the best ways to help you hit realistic goals, but we need you to help set these goals. Come in with some goals or some hopes and work to establish a recovery plan based around these milestones.
- Practice Proper Wound Care – Even if you undergo a minimally invasive procedure, you’re still going to have a wound site to care for as you recover. Infections are the most common reason for readmittance following a surgery, so be very active in how you work to keep the site clean. Only get the surgical site wet as directed by your surgeon, and regularly change your dressing to provide fresh bandages and to look for signs of an infection. If you can’t easily see the incision or change the dressing because the site is on your back, recruit a friend or family member to help with the process.
If you can do these five things, we’re confident you’ll be a great patient from your surgeon’s perspective, and you’ll be on your way to making a strong recovery. For more information, or for help with your back pain, reach out to Dr. Sinicropi’s office today.
