Nobody wants to head back to the hospital or see their rehabilitation schedule extended for weeks or months because they suffered a setback during their recovery, but it’s an unfortunate reality for some individuals each year. We want to ensure your rehab stays on track once you’re discharged from the surgical center, but what are some of the best ways to keep your recovery heading in the right direction? In today’s blog, we share some tips for avoiding setbacks during your recovery after spine surgery.
Avoiding Roadblocks During Back Surgery Recovery
For the best chance at avoiding a setback, you’ll want to follow the individualized advice of your surgical team. With that said, odds are some of the recommendations below will mirror the advice from your care team. Here are some of the tips we oftentimes provide to patients looking to keep their recovery on track after spine surgery:
- Early Movement – Again, you’ll want to check with your provider in order to ensure you’re not stepping outside of your restrictions, but oftentimes movement and controlled activity can actually help to keep your rehab on track better than rest alone. Standing up and moving a bit during the early stages of recovery helps to improve circulation and gently help structures get used to managing stress again after surgery. If you just lay in bed for weeks, muscles will atrophy and it will be harder to regain as much physical function in the area. Expect to move early after surgery and then gradually take on larger physical challenges as rehab progresses.
- Dive Into PT – Most patients who undergo spine surgery end up needing at least a few sessions with a physical therapist. PT will help restore strength, flexibility and other functional capabilities following your operation so that you can make the strongest recovery possible. While skipping your PT sessions may not lead to a setback, it certainly can end up prolonging your recovery period.
- Mind Your Restrictions – Odds are your surgeon will give you some specific activity restrictions to avoid for a short period of time during your recovery. If they tell you not to drive or lift more than 10 pounds, then don’t get behind the wheel or pick those heavy boxes off the ground. Restrictions are put in place because your spine is currently in a weakened state and can’t safely handle certain actions, so don’t pursue any restricted activities until you’ve been given clearance by your provider.
- Find A Surgeon You Trust – Another way to keep your recovery on track is to make sure that your operation is performed by a surgeon that you trust with a wealth of experience with your specific procedure and recovery. Don’t just pick the closest surgery center to your home or stay with a surgeon if it doesn’t seem like a good fit. Trust your gut, read reviews and only move forward with a procedure if you have faith in your care team.
- Mind Your Nutrition And Fluid Intake – Finally, be conscious of what you’re putting in your body during your recovery. You likely won’t be as active in the weeks after surgery, and this can lead to weight gain if you don’t mind your diet. Give your body access to a range of vitamins and minerals that aid in tissue recovery, and make it easier for healthy blood to circulate by drinking plenty of water. Again, having a poor diet won’t directly cause your surgery to fail, but it can prolong your recovery, whereas a healthy diet can actually help to shave some days off your rehab schedule.
For more tips on how you can avoid setbacks following spine surgery, or for help with a different spinal condition, reach out to Dr. Sinicropi and the team at The Midwest Spine & Brain Institute today at (651) 430-3800.
