Although back pain is something that almost everyone occasionally experiences, roughly 8% of American adults suffer from chronic back pain that significantly lowers their quality of life. When alternative therapies fail to relieve persistent spinal issues, spine surgery East Brunswick may help to relieve your pain.
Here are tips to speed up recovery after spine surgery:
- Make a workout schedule
Although avoiding vigorous activity after a spine injury is preferable, exercise will help reduce back discomfort, improve circulation, and lift your spirits. Together with a physical therapist, develop an exercise program that combines low-impact aerobic exercise with strengthening and stretching.
Additionally, orthopedic physicians advise attempting to lose weight to lessen the strain on your spine before, during, and throughout the recovery from spinal surgery.
- Understand the risks of wounds
Your body is specially designed to deal with and recover from wounds. But occasionally, your body has issues. Your incision’s surrounding region may fill with dead tissue as it heals.
This necrotic tissue is detrimental to the body’s capacity to heal and produce new skin since it does not convey blood to the wound.
Look for any discoloration, aggravation, inflammation, or other abnormalities in the region surrounding your incision. Ask a family member or caregiver to assist you in looking for any symptoms or issues in your incision.
- Take caution when grooming and bathing
After surgery, you should wait two weeks before bathing or washing your incision. Instead, maintain its dryness by wiping it down with a washcloth. Your spine surgeon will examine your incision, evaluate how well it is healing, and provide you with more specific care and cleaning instructions at your first post-surgery appointment.
- Walk often during your back surgery recovery
Walking will be the main kind of exercise you perform after the surgery. It lessens discomfort and speeds healing by averting blood clots and possible muscle atrophy. Try to get out of bed the day following your operation and every day while you are in the hospital.
That is to say, start moving as soon as you can. While at home, Walk your designated indoor route six to seven times daily. If you are unsure of the footing, avoid walking there. However, avoid bending, lifting, twisting, or stooping/squatting) until your mobility improves.
- Find a caregiver
Most patients may require home assistance for four to six weeks following surgery. Make sure the person you select is trustworthy and that you are okay with them seeing you at you, not at your best.
Ensure that they are aware of how much you will depend on them. Your caretaker might have to assist you into and out of chairs and beds, buy groceries, make meals, and eat, Get clean and presentable and perform housekeeping tasks, including cleaning and laundry.
- Eat a healthy diet
Long-term effects on your recovery depend on what you eat and how much you exercise. Most people know this, but you might be surprised to learn that nutrition before surgery is just as crucial as after surgery.
Therefore eat fresh foods in smaller portions, including lean protein and lots of vegetables and fruits, while drinking enough water and avoiding sugar and caffeine.
Spine surgery can be the best option for you if non-operative therapies have not been able to relieve your back pain. Call Mid Atlantic Orthopedic Associates, LLP, to book your appointment for spine surgery.