The Do’s & Don’ts of Back and Neck Surgery Recovery

So you’ve had back surgery. Whether you held out for a long time or decided to go under the knife as soon as painful symptoms presented themselves, now you need to know what to do. A After all, the last thing you want to do is re-injure what was just fixed.

Here are a number of do’s and don’ts to keep in mind during the recovery from spine surgery. While these provide general advice, we urge you to speak to your surgeon before, during, and after your surgery to ensure that you are following a post-recovery plan that is truly individualized to your unique situation and needs.

The Do’s of Recovery After Spine Surgery

Here are a few thing’s that you’ll want to do as you recover from back surgery, be it minimally invasive surgery, disc replacement surgery, or minimally invasive surgery.

Follow Your Surgeon’s Instructions

Your orthopaedic surgeon should provide you with a detailed post-operative plan to follow.

If they don’t, or if you have any doubts or questions about the plan you were provided, you should reach out to them.

To ensure a successful outcome, it’s imperative that you follow your surgeon’s instructions closely. Some examples of directives you may be instructed to follow include:

• Taking prescribed medications consistently at the designated time
• Attending all follow-up appointments and providing honest answers to your doctor’s questions
• Following any activity restrictions in earnest
• Seeing a physical therapist, if suggested

It’s important to remember that your doctor wouldn’t tell you to do something unless it was essential for your recovery!

Gradually Increase Activity Levels

Slowly returning to your normal pre-operative levels of activity following back surgery is crucial, because it can help prevent post-surgical complications.

But how? Most often, your surgeon will suggest to start with walking. Listen to your body, and increase as your body allows. We may encourage additional Physical Therapy, if required.

Many people wonder “Can you walk too much after back surgery?”. The answer is yes. Short, frequent walks are best. Let your body be your guide.

Stay Hydrated and Eat a High Protein Diet

Eating a healthy and a high protein diet after surgery, your body initiates a complex process of tissue repair and wound healing. Protein is essential for this process as it provides the building blocks (amino acids) necessary for the creation of new tissues. Staying hydrated also helps carry nutrients and oxygen to your cells and protects joints, which can be especially important during back surgery recovery.

Here are additional tips to follow during back surgery recovery, according to Dietician Elizabeth George of Temple Health:

1. Choose foods that fight constipation.
2. Pump up the protein.
3. Limit processed foods.
4. Get your vitamin C.
5. Avoid alcohol.

The Don’ts of Recovery After Back Surgery

There’s plenty you should do as you heal from back or spine surgery. But here are a couple things you should definitely avoid.

Avoid High Impact Activities

Surgery recovery is a big deal. It doesn’t have to be scary, and with today’s surgical expertise and medical advancements, it goes right more than it goes wrong.

That being said, healing from surgery of any kind still places a toll on your body, and when you’re in a healing phase, you don’t want to push it when it comes to exercise. (Trust us, we are experts in this kind of thing). This means avoiding high-impact exercises such as:

• Weightlifting
• Running
• Contact sports

If you were a fairly active person before surgery, remember to take it slow and honor your body’s need for rest during the post-operative downtime period recommended by your spine surgeon.

Don’t Ignore Pain or Unusual Symptoms

If something feels wrong, it probably is.

Some level of discomfort is normal when recovering from surgery. But excessive pain or persistent pain usually indicates a larger issue that needs addressing.

Furthermore, it’s important to address any unusual pain and associated issues early on if possible to prevent potential complications.

Don’t Try to Rush Your Recovery

Recuperation from back surgery takes time.

Just how long does it take to recover from back surgery? It depends.

While the type of surgery does have a large impact on the estimated recovery period, and types of minimally invasive back surgery like endoscopic spine surgery may have you back to work in days, any surgery is still a major procedure.

That being said, you should always follow your physician’s instructions with regard to recovery and rest times so you don’t risk reinjuring yourself.

Recovery estimates for different types of back surgery are as follows:

• Spinal Fusion: Back to work at in 6 weeks
• Scoliosis Fusion: Back to work in 6 weeks
• Decompression: Back to work in 2 weeks
• Minimally Invasive Endoscopic Surgery: Back to work in days

Remember, actual recovery time may vary.

Talk To Dr. Baig Today

Recovering from back surgery requires patience, diligence, and a commitment to following medical advice.

By adhering to the guidelines provided by your surgeon, you can significantly enhance your chances of a successful recovery. Each person’s recovery timeline is unique and heavily dependent on the extent of the surgery performed.

By following all advice found here and provided by your Doctor in the short run, chances are good that you will enjoy a successful surgical outcome in the long run. While this requires a certain level of sacrifice at first, it’s well worth it once you remember that it can lead to a better quality of life once healing is complete.

Need more tips or advice about back surgery or recovery from different types of back surgery? Contact Dr. Baig now.