Surgeries are getting smaller and safer, and although outcomes are getting more successful, there’s still one constant that remains throughout any type of spinal surgery – pain. Don’t get us wrong, surgeries and post-op recovery are involving less pain, but it’s impossible to eliminate pain from the equation. However, if you know some ways to minimize its impact and you are proactive in how you plan for your surgery, we’re confident you can limit pain after a major spinal surgery. We explain how in today’s blog.
Managing Pain After Major Spine Surgery
Here are a number of ways you can help limit spine pain and discomfort while recovering from a major spinal operation.
- Physical Therapy – Physical therapy is our number one tip for managing pain after a major spine surgery. Although you may not be cleared for certain movements right away, physical therapy is going to be the most important aspect of your rehabilitation after surgery. It can help to calm inflammation that can compress structures, prevent potentially painful scar tissue, and increase your range of motion, which can help to limit pain during movement. PT is great for limiting long-term pain and discomfort by helping you make the fullest recovery possible.
- Painkillers – Painkillers help to mask pain sensations, and they are great in the first few days after spine surgery. This is the time period when the trauma to your soft tissues is still fresh and your body is doing everything to help these tissues heal. Painkillers can help to block out these pain sensations, but they don’t do anything to correct the underlying problem. They are great options in the short term when used carefully, but other care options are preferred as more time passes. This is due to the fact that opioids can become addictive, and as your body gets used to the painkillers, the dosage needs to increase in order to maintain the same level of effectiveness. Painkillers should be used in combination with other recovery options for maximum effectiveness.
- Distractions – One of the healthiest ways to manage pain after spine surgery is by working to distract your mind and help take your attention off your pain. This is easier said than done, but there are a variety of ways to distract yourself and pull your attention away from your pain. Some people can do this by reading a book or watching Netflix, while others need more stimulation in order to refocus their brain, and they turn to puzzles, crosswords or just good conversation with friends and family. Have some brain-stimulating activities planned for your recovery, and see what works best to distract you from your pain.
- Follow Your Doctor’s Instructions – Finally, a good tip to keep in mind is to follow your doctor’s instructions in terms of how to manage pain and avoid making the problem worse. Some people rush back to activity or work too soon after their surgery, and this can create problems for the recovering structures in their spine. Heed your doctor’s instructions in regards to cleaning your surgical site, your activity restrictions and your general recovery protocol. If you think some aspect of your post-op care plan needs to be adjusted, contact your care team before making the change on your own, because it could lead to more pain.
We’ll do everything in our power to minimize pain after the procedure, and we’re here to help you throughout your recovery process. For more information, or for answers to any questions that you might have, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Dr. Sinicropi and his team today.
