Spine surgery - discharge

The most common symptom of spinal stenosis is lower back pain when standing or walking. Leg pain and numbness may inhibit walking and the spine may lose the lumbar curve and appear flat. Because we tend to bend over slightly when we walk up hill, symptoms may be less going uphill and worse going down. Relief is typically found when you bend forward or sit. When spinal stenosis becomes severe, symptoms may become constant and permanent nerve injury may result.

How do I prepare for spinal stenosis surgery?

To prepare for spine surgery, quit smoking if you smoke, exercise on a regular basis to improve your recovery rate, stop taking any non-essential medications and any herbal remedies which may react with anesthetics or other medications and ask your surgeon all the questions you may have.

 
Recovery after microdiskectomy (diskectomy) is usually fairly quick.
After diskectomy or foraminotomy, you may still feel pain, numbness, or weakness along the path of the nerve that was under pressure. These symptoms should get better after a week or 2.
Recovery after laminectomy and fusion surgery is longer. You will not be able to return to activities as quickly. It takes at least 3 - 4 months after surgery for bones to heal well, and healing may continue to happen for at least a year.
If you had spinal fusion, you will probably be off work for 4 - 6 weeks if you are young and healthy. It may take 4 - 6 months for older patients with more extensive surgery to get back to work.
The length of recovery will also depend on how bad your condition was before surger

  

Activity

You will need to change how you do some things. Try not to sit for longer than 20 or 30 minutes at one time. Sleep in any position that does not cause back pain. Your doctor will tell you when you may become sexually active.
You may be fitted for a back brace or corset to help support your back:

• You should wear the brace when you are sitting or walking.
• You may void wearing the brace when you sit on the side of the bed for a short period of time or use the bathroom at night.

Do not to bend at the waist. Instead, bend your knees and squat down to pick up something. Do not lift or carry anything heavier than around 10 pounds (nothing heavier than a milk carton). This means you should not lift a laundry basket, grocery bags, or small children. You should also avoid lifting something above your head until your fusion heals.
Take only short walks for the first 2 weeks after surgery.

• After that, you may slowly increase how far you walk.
• You may go up or down stairs once a day for the first 1 or 2 weeks, if it does not cause much pain or discomfort.
• Do not start swimming, golfing, running, or other more “strenuous” activities until you see your doctor. You should also avoid vacuuming and more strenuous household cleaning.

Your doctor may or may not send you for some physical therapy after you leave hospital. You will need to learn how to move and do activities in a way that prevents pain and keeps your back in a safe position. These are:

• How to get out of bed or up from a chair safely
• How to get dressed and undressed
• How to keep your back safe when doing work for other activities, eventually including lifting and carrying items

You will also learn certain exercises that help make muscles in your back stronger, and keep your back safe and stable.
Your doctor and physical therapist can help you decide whether or when you can return to your previous job.
Riding or driving in a car:

• Do not drive for the first 2 weeks after surgery. After 2 weeks, you may take short trips when necessary.
• Travel only for short distances as a passenger in a car. Avoid trips where you are sitting for a long period of time. If you have a long ride home from the hospital, stop every 30 - 45 minutes to briefly stretch.
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  Wound Care

  Your bandages (Steri-strips) will fall off within 7 - 10 days. If not, you may remove them yourself after this time.
  You may feel numbness or pain around your incision, and it may look a little red. Check it every day to see if it:
• Is more red, swollen, or draining extra fluid
• Feels warm
• Begins to open up

Keep the incision dry for first 5 - 7 days. When you begin showering again, cover the incision with plastic wrap. Do not allow water from the shower head to beat down on the incision. The first time you shower, have someone there to help you.
Do not smoke or use tobacco products after spine surgery. Avoiding tobacco is even more important if you had a fusion or graft.
Overall, make sure your bathroom is safe..

  

5 spine-healthy tips

1. Practice good posture by standing, walking, sitting, lifting and lying in positions where the least strain is placed on supporting muscles and ligaments.
2. Maintain a weight that is appropriate for your height and frame.
3. Take part in strength, stretch and aerobic programs to improve your fitness level, make you more resistant to injury, and speed recovery if you are injured.
4. Wear shoes that are well balanced, flexible and comfortable.
5. Stop smoking, as smokers experience more spine pain and heal more slowly.

 

Pool exercises (easy)

Pool walking is a low-impact way to build core muscles. As you move, the core works against the force of the water. “This is gentle on extremities such as knees, hips, ankles and feet,”

2. Exercise ball (medium/difficult)

Exercise videos and classes will help you understand how to use an exercise ball appropriately. These exercises are deceptively simple, , with practice, you can increase intensity gradually.

3. Floor exercises (medium/difficult)

A popular core booster is the side plank. Lie on your right side with your right hand on the ground. (Beginners should use the elbow.) Lift yourself up to form a plank, with your right arm straight and left arm at your side. Hold the position, then repeat. Be sure to keep the body in a straight line while tightening the abs and posterior.

4. Mind-body workouts (easy to difficult)

Disciplines such as tai chi, yoga and Pilates help target core muscles. Sign up for a class or rent a DVD exercise program to try at home. tai chi is low impact and ideal for people with a history of musculoskeletal problems. Choose “relaxation” yoga for lower impact. Pilates is centered around building core strength and improving posture.
No matter what you do, the key is to find an activity appropriate for your body — one that you enjoy and will stick with so you can continue to build a strong, healthy back..