After you’ve undergone spine surgery, you want to make your path to recovery smooth, painless and short. Preparing yourself with information and expectations will allow you to plan for after your surgery. Before going into surgery, you should already have your home ready, so you won’t have to do much during your recovery.
Here are some tips for how to make your recovery from spine surgery go as smoothly as possible.
What to Do Before Spine Surgery
Your home should be prepped with food, you should make advance sleeping arrangements and you should organize your house before you have your surgery. This way everything will be taken care of, so you can focus on your recovery when you return. Things to consider include:
①Food and Drink Accessibility. Stock your fridge and pantry with plenty of food and drinks. Ask your doctor if you need to follow a specific diet after your surgery.
②Stairs. Your doctor will probably inform you to avoid going up and down stairs for a while after your surgery. Bring whatever items you might want downstairs so you can access them.
③Sleeping Arrangements. If you can’t go upstairs, prepare a bedroom for yourself on the first floor. Put everything you need and want to make it as comfortable as possible. Include books, magazines and television, so if you’re told to stay in bed for a few days, you’ll have entertainment within reach.
④Organization and Fall Prevention. Maneuvering through clear, well-lit spaces will take stress off your recovery. Remove clutter to avoid possible injury from tripping or falling. Remove or secure carpet corners that might trip you. Night-lights should be in hallways, so you always know where you’re stepping.
What to Do After Spine Surgery
After surgery, you’ll need to know how to care for your wound and understand your limitations. Your first two weeks will be crucial to setting a precedent for your recovery. Do these five things to help the recovery go well.
①Set Realistic Expectations
Your body needs time and rest to heal. You will not be able to do any laborious, intense activities or resume working after surgery. Some surgeries take weeks to heal and others take months. Your surgeon will help you plan for the recovery process.
②Avoid Showering Until You Get the All-Clear
Your wound will probably need to be kept dry for about a week unless your doctor tells you otherwise. When showering, it’s imperative that no water gets into the wound. Cover the wound with plastic wrap to keep water away. Someone should assist you the first time you shower after surgery.
③Practice Smart Wound Care and Inspection
Your doctor will tell you when you can remove the bandage and how to wash it. For the first few days, you may need to keep your wound dry. You should be aware of abnormalities so when you check your incision, you’ll know if it’s healthy or not. If the area is red or draining fluid, is warm or the wound starts to open up, call your surgeon immediately.
④Engage in Light, Manageable Activity
You should do some light and non-strenuous physical activity after your surgery. Sitting or lying down for extended periods of time may be detrimental to your back and prolong your recovery. Take short walks during the first two weeks of your recovery. Small and regular workouts reduce your risk of blood clots. After two weeks, increase your walking distances in small increments.
⑤Do Not Do Any Intense Activity
You shouldn’t swim or run after your surgery. Your surgeon will tell you when you can resume intense activity. This also applies to everyday life. Don’t lift heavy vacuums, get on your hands and knees, or bend at the waist to pick something up. A tool that might help you is a grabber, so you don’t risk hurting your spine if you need to pick up an object or get something down from a tall shelf.
Contact Your Surgeon When Problems Arise
If you have a fever, more pain or numbness in your limbs or difficulty breathing, get in touch with your surgeon immediately. Call even if you have the slightest inclination that something is wrong. It’s better to be cautious.
Post time: Aug-02-2021