The recovery process after spine surgery won’t happen overnight, but at the same time, if you aren’t proactive in your approach to rehabilitation, your recovery time can take longer than expected. So how can you avoid a delayed recovery after your spine surgery? In today’s blog, we look at some of the ways you can keep your rehabilitation program on track as you work to recover following a spinal procedure.
Preventing Delays During Spine Surgery Recovery
Nobody wants to follow a recovery program for weeks longer than initially expected, but it can happen if patients aren’t aware of some of the ways that they can help their rehab along. Here’s a look at five things you’ll want to keep in mind if you want to avoid delays during your recovery from back surgery.
- Strive For Healthy Sleep – Sleep is a time when your body can focus on restoring structures that have been damaged as it works to heal from the trauma of the day. We’re not saying that you can simply lay in bed for weeks and expect to make a great recovery, because extended inactivity can actually prolong your recovery timeline, but when it comes time to rest, really try to help your body get enough uninterrupted sleep. Falling asleep and staying asleep may not be easy if you have an incision along your spine, but avoid caffeine late in the day, make the room as dark as possible and keep electronic distractions out of the room so that it’s easier to achieve restorative sleep.
- Early Movement – As we mentioned above, you’re not going to make a quick recovery laying in bed all day, and while you’ll want to stay within your surgeon’s restrictions, early movement is oftentimes one of the best ways to keep your recovery moving in the right direction. Movement helps to increase blood flow to an area that will assist with the healing process, and it can help recovering structures begin to get used to handling small amounts of stress. Putting off this movement only delays the early stages of healing, so stand up, walk around and start challenging your body within your initial restrictions.
- Physical Therapy – Taking part in a physical therapy routine is arguably the best way to not only keep your recovery on track, but to speed up the process. These targeted exercises improve strength, flexibility and overall physical function of your recovering structures, ensuring they are ready for the stress you’ll eventually put on them. Connect with a physical therapist for in-person sessions and make sure that you carve out time each day for your at-home PT exercises.
- Weight Management – Studies have shown that being overweight or obese can increase your risk of having a delayed recovery following spine surgery. We understand that it may not always be easy to maintain or lose weight if you are physically limited by back discomfort, but being mindful of your weight before and after your procedure can help to keep your recovery on track. Strive to stay active and mind your diet to manage your waistline and increase your likelihood of a healthy recovery after spine surgery.
- Dietary Improvements – This tip pairs well with the above point, but a healthy diet can certainly keep your recovery on track. Your body is in a weakened state following surgery, but you can help it get the nutrients that aid in the recovery process through your diet. Lean proteins and nutrient-dense vegetables will provide your body with key vitamins and minerals that can aid in tissue recovery. Not only can an unhealthy diet lead to weight gain, but these pro-inflammatory foods can lead to localized inflammation in your spine, delaying the tissue recovery process. If you have questions about an ideal diet after surgery, talk with your spine specialist.
If you can keep these tips in mind, we’re confident that your recovery will remain on track and may even speed up! For more information, or to talk to a spine specialist about a back condition that you’ve been dealing with, reach out to Dr. Jackman and the team at The Midwest Spine & Brain Institute today at (651) 430-3800.
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