The lower back is susceptible to a variety of injuries and problems that may end up requiring surgery. This area, the lumbar region, is the third main area of the spine, so we offer some guidelines here on recovery after surgery on this part of the back.
What kind of care is necessary after having spine surgery? This is one of the most frequently asked questions by patients who are considering a back operation, and we are happy to answer.
Broadly speaking, the most important thing to do after having lumbar spine surgery is to protect your spine by not lifting weight and not driving. In addition, you should try not to twist or bend your back during the first weeks after the operation. The spine is the main axis that supports the body’s locomotor apparatus, so it is necessary to consider the recovery process with the importance that it deserves.
What are the most common types of lumbar spine surgery?
Before telling you all about recovery after lower back surgery, the team at Instituto Clavel thinks it’s important that you know that there are different types of lumbar spine surgery. We describe some of them here:
- Lumbar laminectomy or decompression: The main goal of this type of procedure is to relieve the pain caused by a pinched nerve root. The most common reasons for pressure on the root of a nerve in the lumbar area are either a herniated disc or stenosis of the lumbar spine. What does this surgery consist of? A decompression procedure involves removing a small part of the bone over the nerve root for the purpose of releasing the pressure on the nerve.
Would you like to know more about recovery time after surgery for a pinched lumbar nerve?
- Lumbar fusion: degenerative disc disease in a lumbar disc or spondylolisthesis can be so painful as to be debilitating in a way that the sufferer can no longer carry out their usual daily activities. The main goal of spinal fusion surgery is to relieve pain and help the patient recover a good quality of life. What does this surgery consist of? It involves fixing or immobilizing two or more vertebrae so that they are held together permanently. To achieve this, a graft is performed with bone or artificial material, which will become the foundation on which the final fusion takes place.
- ADR surgery or arthroplasty: this is a much less invasive option than lumbar fusion, in which the damaged intervertebral disc is replaced by an artificial prosthesis. This allows the natural movement of the joint to be preserved, and for this reason, at Instituto Clavel we opt for this procedure whenever possible, always bearing in mind the individual needs of the patient.
Recovery time after back surgery
It is not easy to make an exact prediction of the length of the recovery time, given the differences of each case. However, if we break it down by the type of surgery, we can give an estimate of how long a body normally needs to recover before resuming routine daily activities. That said, it must be remembered that these are only general indications, and the real time period may vary according to the condition of the specific patient and other factors.
|
Type of surgery |
Recovery time |
|
Lumbar hernia or minor stenosis |
6 weeks |
|
Lumbar arthrodesis or major stenosis |
2 months |
|
Scoliosis |
4-6 months |
How long it takes to recover can also be affected by the surgical technique used to perform the operation. That’s why, at Instituto Clavel, whenever possible, we opt for minimally invasive techniques, such as the anterior approach to the spine. This technique allows the surgeon to access the spine through the abdomen, without manipulating the nerve structures and without opening the muscles of the back, which reduces the risk of nerve damage and shortens recovery time.
Would you like to know more about anterior approach ADR?
Postoperative guidelines: lumbar spine surgery
At Instituto Clavel, before a patient has surgery, we tell them what to expect and the steps to follow, and when the patient is discharged, we give them specific guidelines to help them on their way to a good recovery. Although the instructions are specific to each patient, these are some of the general recommendations:
- Squat: bend your knees and squat.
- Weight: Avoid lifting objects that weigh more than 5 kilograms (11 pounds). During recovery, it is best not to lift or carry any weight over your head.
- Sleep: sleep in a position that does not cause you pain.
- Walking: during the first two weeks after surgery, we recommend taking a short walk, less than half an hour, three times a day. You can go up and down stairs, but only once a day.
- Driving: it is not advisable to drive until two weeks have passed since the operation, and only then, with authorization from your doctor. If you ride as a passenger, we recommend that it be for short trips, and if you must make a long trip, always go as a passenger, let someone else drive, and plan to stop every 45 minutes to stretch a little.
- Sitting: Use a pillow to support and protect your lower back, both when at home and in the car
- Avoid smoking or using tobacco-based products because they delay the healing process
One of the aftereffects you can expect in the postoperative period following lumbar spine surgery, is back pain, which must be treated with the pain medication prescribed by the surgeon. This kind of pain is normal in the first weeks after surgery, but if it persists longer than that, it is best get checked by a specialist to find out the cause.
Rehabilitation after lumbar stenosis surgery
Another question you may have, is whether using an orthopedic brace helps during the recovery process after spinal surgery. According to medical studies, the answer is no, using a brace offers no added benefit. However, each case is unique and the patient should follow their doctor’s recommendation.
Rehabilitation: a necessary step
The team of physiotherapists at Instituto Clavel is used to dealing every day with patients recovering from spinal surgery. Manual therapies and rehabilitation exercises are crucial to helping those patients get back their quality of life.
Among the exercises that the specialist may prescribe following spine surgery are those that combine lumbar flexion with strength and elasticity, with the goal of gradually strengthening the muscles. Ideally, this rehabilitation should begin soon after surgery.
Physical therapy will also allow you to learn to the right way to move and carry out your daily activities in a way that keeps your back in a safe position and prevents pain. Some of the activities you’ll probably have to learn to do differently are as follows:
- Getting up safely from bed or a chair
- How you dress and undress
- You’ll need to do some exercises that strengthen the muscles of the back to keep it stable and safe.
Put yourself in the hands of our expert physical therapists! Contact us here
Categories: Spine treatments, Surgery, Lumbar pain