Recovering after spine surgery isn’t just about lying in bed and waiting for healing to run its course. The process is a lot more involved and more difficult than you may imagine, but it will all be worth it in the end when you come out stronger and healthier. But what are some of the biggest challenges during your recovery after spine surgery? In today’s blog, we look at some of the more difficult parts of your rehabilitation process following a spinal procedure.
Challenges You’ll Face During Spine Surgery Recovery
If you are aware of some of the potential challenges you’ll face during your recovery, you’ll be better able to account for them and overcome them. Here’s a look at some of the more challenging aspects of your recovery after spine surgery:
- Pain – One thing you’ll need to get used to, at least during the initial stages of recovery, is pain and discomfort. We don’t expect this to be overwhelming, but it can make everyday actions like moving, sleeping or completing your physical therapy exercises a little more challenging. Fortunately, pain tends to subside as your recovery progresses, so it should only fade as each day goes by. Your care team can provide you with pain medications and teach you some relaxation techniques to help drown out pain and discomfort when it is at its worst. If pain is causing you problems during your recovery, reach out to your surgical team.
- Effort – We always tell patients that when it comes to your rehabilitation, you’ll get out what you put in. This means that you’re going to need to put in some real effort if you want to make the strongest recovery possible. As we mentioned above, you can’t just lay in bed for weeks and then expect to be fully recovered after some time has passed. You’re going to have to pursue early movement, push yourself during physical therapy and stick to your rehab plan. It won’t always be easy, but it will be worth it. Are you up for the challenge?
- The Waiting – We understand that you want to get back to normal daily activities like working, driving or exercising, but this process will take time. If you push yourself too hard at a time when your spine is not yet ready for this kind of stress, you can suffer a setback that pushes your recovery timeline out many more months. The gradual recovery process can be hard for many patients to stick with, but it’s for your own best interest. If you truly believe you are ahead of schedule and can take on greater physical challenges, get clearance from your provider first.
- Movement Challenges – Finally, one aspect of their recovery that many patients say is a challenge is their lack of mobility during the early stages of recovery. Now, back pain was likely already making movement difficult, but that won’t change overnight because of a surgery. Significant healing still needs to take place after your procedure. Bones may need to fuse together, soft tissues need to mend and the surgical site itself needs to heal. This can make simple processes like climbing stairs or going to the bathroom more difficult at the outset. It can be frustrating, but know that it will get better over time, especially if you are willing to put in the effort during physical therapy. Know that movement will become easier and that it’s normal to have some restrictions at the outset of your recovery.
If you want to partner with a physician who can help you overcome these challenges and make a strong recovery after your spine surgery, connect with Dr. Sinicropi and the team at The Midwest Spine & Brain Institute today at (651) 430-3800.
