Spinal surgeries are common, particularly after incurring injuries in accidents. The doctor may manage the pain with different medications but may recommend surgery depending on the severity. However, some patients don’t know how to care for themselves and expedite recovery.
Have you undergone a spinal surgery and are seeking ideas to help with your recovery journey? Here are the do’s and don’ts that you should know.
1. Follow the doctor’s instructions
The Neurosurgeon Boise will tell you that following instructions after spine surgery is crucial for a successful recovery. Whether the surgery aims to fix herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or spinal fusion, it’s a major procedure that requires proper care and attention, especially during recovery.
2. Rest adequately
Allow your body time to heal by getting enough rest. Follow the recommended sleep positions to avoid straining your spine. Spine surgeries often manipulate and stabilize delicate structures in the spine. Therefore, proper rest will promote healing, help manage pain, and prevent future complications.
3. Hydration& Balanced diet
Drink lots of water to stay well-hydrated. Also, maintain a balanced diet rich in nutrients, including vitamins and minerals, that promote healing and bone health. Here are reasons why you should stay hydrated.
- Promotes Healing: Proper hydration supports the body’s natural healing processes by aiding in cell repair and tissue regeneration.
- Medication and recovery: Many post-surgery medications can have dehydrating effects. Dehydration can hinder the absorption and effectiveness of these medications.
- Blood circulation: Hydration helps maintain healthy blood circulation, which promotes healing.
4. Avoid alcohol/smoking
Smoking or excessive alcohol consumption can hinder the body’s natural healing processes. It also restricts blood flow by narrowing blood vessels, hindering oxygen and nutrients from reaching the surgical site. This will negatively affect the healing process and increase the risk of complications.
6. Avoid heavy lifting
Avoiding heavy lifting after the surgery will minimize the risk of complications. Mots spine surgeries involve potential alteration to some delicate parts of your spine, and engaging in strenuous activity can cause movements in your spine, resulting in complications.
7. Avoid sitting for long hours
It’s common for medical professionals to recommend certain limitations on sitting as part of the recovery process. The spine is a complex structure consisting of vertebrae, discs, nerves, and supporting muscles. Spinal surgery can result in tissue trauma and inflammation, and avoiding sitting for long hours to minimize potential complications.
8. Maintain good posture
Maintain a good posture, mostly while sitting, standing, or walking, to alleviate spinal stress. Here is how to maintain proper posture after spine surgery:
- Use supportive equipment: Depending on the type of spine, your surgeon may recommend using supportive equipment like braces, corsets, or collars. These are designed to stabilize your spine and promote proper posture.
- Avoid slouching: Hunching forward can put unnecessary stress on your spine. Therefore, always sit upright or stand up, keeping your shoulders aligned.
There are various things to do or avoid after a spinal surgery. How you take care of your back determines your level of recovery. Your surgeon will explain what to expect, and following the instructions will help you get the most out of the surgery.