Laundry is another major hassle that piles up after back surgery. You will not be able to lift heavy baskets or fold and hang laundry as you're accustomed. The best practice is to get all of your laundry done in advance, and then have a friend or relative help you do additional laundry as necessary as you recover.
Avoid strenuous activities, such as bicycle riding, jogging, weight lifting, or aerobic exercise, until your doctor says it is okay. Do not drive for 2 to 4 weeks after your surgery or until your doctor says it is okay. Avoid riding in a car for more than 30 minutes at a time for 2 to 4 weeks after surgery.
Use a hand-held shower to wash your hair. Or bend at the knees and hips under the showerhead to avoid arching your back. To avoid bending, use a long-handled scrub brush. Use liquid soap so you don't need to pick up a dropped bar of soap.
Generally, you should wait until your first follow up appointment before thoroughly washing your hair. If you can carefully avoid getting the dressing wet, then you should be free to shower sooner than if it is difficult to avoid.
The best position to sleep in after spine surgery is lying flat on your back, placing a pillow below your knees or lying sideways with a pillow between your bent knees. If you find lying on your side the most relaxing, make sure both legs are one above the other with your knees bent.
In general, most people are advised to limit their activities for two to four weeks after herniated disc surgery. However, some people may need to remain on bed rest for up to eight weeks. Your doctor will give you specific instructions based on your individual situation.
---You may sleep in any position which makes you comfortable. ---Many patients find comfort sleeping in a recliner chair.
Do not do strenuous activities, like jogging or golfing; do not due household duties that put a strain on the back, like gardening and vacuuming. Attend all physical therapy sessions prescribed by the physician. Do not drive for the first two weeks after surgery, and then slowly build up driving time as necessary.
Walk often during your back surgery recovery
Expect to be up and out of bed the day after your surgery and every day while you are in the hospital. That is to say, as soon as you can, get moving. While at home, walk your planned indoor route six or seven times daily. Do not walk anywhere you are unsure of the footing.
You should be comfortable in the driving position and be able to do an emergency stop without experiencing any pain (you can practise this without starting your car). Most people feel ready to drive after 2 to 6 weeks, depending on the size of the operation.
“I recommend no bending, lifting, or twisting for six weeks after a lumbar fusion surgery,” Dr. Fischer says. “This is to help allow the surgery to heal and prevent an acute pain episode.”
It's good to push yourself a little bit and get off the couch when you may not want to, but there is a line. If you feel a lot of pain during your walks, take a break. The name of the game is short, frequent walks – you don't need to walk for miles at a time.
Even if you have a less invasive microdiscectomy, if you start bending too soon after surgery, you may overstress or overstimulate nearby muscles. Doing so could result in inflammation, which may irritate spinal nerves enough to cause some discomfort.
In some cases, healing can continue for at least a year. If you had a spinal fusion, you will probably be off work for four to six weeks if you are young and healthy and your job is not very strenuous. It may take four to six months for older people with more extensive surgery to get back to work.
For example, a short robe and/or loose-fitting T-shirt, shorts or pants. Proper footwear for walking after surgery, such as shoe-like slippers with rubber soles, walking shoes with rubber soles or hospital slippers that will be provided for you.
Your stomach is going to be sensitive after surgery, and you may not be able to process dried or dehydrated foods as much as you usually can. Avoid eating dried fruits, beef jerky, and some potato chip varieties. The exception to this is prunes because they can help ease constipation.
It is usually advised that you wait one week after surgery before showering, or until the wound is closed. If no drainage is present at the incision, your surgeon may agree that you can shower earlier. Initially, try to keep the incision dry with a plastic wrap.
It is common for patients to lose a little weight during and after spinal surgery. Optimal nutrition is a vital component to the healing process after spinal surgery.
First, it is possible that the buttock pain is caused by surgical trauma to the nerves in the area. This can result in inflammation and irritation of the nerves, which can lead to pain. Additionally, it is also possible that the pain is due to the development of scar tissue around the fusion site.
For example, you may be asked to get up every half-hour to stand/walk around for 10 minutes. Avoid long car rides if you can while you are healing. The general rule is to never sit with your knees higher than your hips. Put a wedge or firm pillow on your car seat, sofa, and favorite chair.
Driving or flying after surgery can be hard on your body, but it may also lead to blood clots of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). It's important to get out of the car and walk short distances and stretch as recommended by your doctor.
Climbing stairs: Going up or down stairs once or twice a day is fine for the first couple of weeks, but try not to overdo it. Bending at the waist: Instead, bend at the knees and squat to pick up objects. Lifting heavy weights: "Nothing over 10 pounds or more than a gallon of milk," he cautions.