Your spine handles a lot of pressure when you’re moving and even when you’re sitting, and if your back is in a weakened state as a result of a recent surgery, you will need to be especially mindful about avoiding certain actions that could compromise the health of your recovering spine. Surgeons do this by giving their patient specific restrictions to adhere to until healing has run its course. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at some common restrictions that are put in place following a spinal procedure.
Examples Of Spine Surgery Restrictions
Below, we dive into some of the more common restrictions that may be put in place following a spinal procedure. This is just a general list, and you should abide by the restrictions put in place by your treating physician. That said, here are some types of restrictions you may face while you work to recover following a spinal operation.
- No Bending – You may be able to bend at the knees and hip, but bending at your spine may be off limits for a while as your work to recover following an operation like a spinal fusion.
- No Lifting – Similarly, you may be put on a strict lifting restriction while your spine recovers. You may be told not to lift anything more than a few pounds for your first week or two of recovery.
- No Twisting – Twisting your torso also puts a lot of strain on your spine, which could cause problems if it is recovering from the trauma of surgery. Turn your whole body instead of twisting your spine during recovery.
- No Working – If your job requires you to do any of the actions listed above, you may be told that you will not be able to return to work until a certain amount of healing has taken place.
- No Driving – Although driving isn’t all that physical of an activity, being in a seated position for an extended period can be hard on your lumbar spine, and it may be an action that should be avoided for a while after surgery. You may also be given driving restrictions if you have been prescribed painkillers or other medications that could affect your ability to drive safely.
- High-Impact Exercise – Your surgeon isn’t going to want you to sit and wait for recovery to occur over the next few months or weeks, but they aren’t going to want you running or jumping during exercise either. Walking may be a fine form of exercise, but don’t expect to be able to run or land heavily on your feet during exercise while you recover, as this jarring action could cause problems for your surgically-addressed spine.
If you are careful to follow your restrictions after spine surgery, odds are they will be temporary in nature. Most patients will eventually be able to bend, twist and lift without fear of causing problems for their back, but again you’ll want to check with your treating surgeon to learn if any long-term restrictions will be in place. For more information about types of restrictions you may face in the wake of a spine surgery procedure, or to talk to a surgeon about your spinal discomfort, give Dr. Sinicropi and the team at The Midwest Spine & Brain Institute a call today at (651) 430-3800.
