What Exercises Can I Do After Laminectomy? - Fixanswer

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.

How soon after laminectomy can I exercise?

For a decompression procedure done using minimally invasive techniques, you need to wait

at least four weeks

before working out. If your decompression surgery was more complex, you may need to wait as long as six months.

Can I stretch after laminectomy?

Many surgeons recommend

no bending, twisting, or lifting for the first 2 to 6 weeks after

lumbar microdiscectomy surgery. When these restrictions are lifted by the surgeon, more stretches can be added to the recovery plan.

How long does it take to fully recover from a laminectomy?

Complete recovery may take

4 to 6 weeks or a few months

after a lumbar laminectomy depending on the age and general health of the patient and the number of segments treated.

Do you need physical therapy after a laminectomy?

In general, you should expect to start

physical therapy 4 to 6 weeks after your lumbar laminectomy

or discectomy. If there were any post-operative complications like infection or excessive bleeding, then you may need to wait a bit longer.

How soon can you walk after a laminectomy?

This is usually

2 to 3 weeks after a laminectomy and discectomy

and 4 to 6 weeks after a lumbar fusion. Narcotic pain medications will delay your reflex time. Begin with short trips first and get out of the car every 30 to 45 minutes to walk around and reposition.

How painful is laminectomy surgery?

You can expect your

back to feel stiff or sore after surgery

. This should improve in the weeks after surgery. You may have trouble sitting or standing in one position for very long and may need pain medicine in the weeks after your surgery.

What is the success rate of laminectomy?

How effective is laminectomy? Most patients

(70% to 80%)

experience significant back pain relief and symptom improvement after laminectomy surgery.

How long before nerve pain goes away after laminectomy?

Sometimes this is a temporary condition as the nerve root or roots take time to heal. This

can take days to weeks

. If the pain is still there after 3 months, it is unlikely to improve on its own.

Is laminectomy major surgery?

Laminectomy is

a common but major surgery with significant risks

and potential complications. You may have less invasive treatment options available.

Has anyone had a laminectomy?

I had a lumbar laminectomy on May 1st on L3-S1 to relieve degenerative disc and spinal stenosis. Surgery went fine. I took it easy for several weeks. At 6 weeks I got the go ahead to do physical therapy.

How do I strengthen my lower back after laminectomy?

Lie on your back with one leg straight and one knee bent.
Tighten abdominal muscles to stabilize your low back.
Slowly lift leg straight up about 6 to 12 inches and hold for 1 to 5 seconds.
Lower leg slowly.
Repeat 10 times.

Why do Laminectomies fail?

One of the most common causes is

damage to the spinal nerve root

. This damage may not have been caused by the surgery itself, but the procedure did not help it recover from the trauma it previously experienced. Another possible cause is the formation of scar tissue as the body tries to heal itself after surgery.

What is the fastest way to recover from back surgery?

A good pain doctor/physical therapist. Make sure you know who to call if you are still in pain after surgery. …
Sleep. Your body will do most of its healing while you sleep. …
Walks. …
Patience. …
Massage therapy. …
Good attitude.

Is it normal to have leg pain after laminectomy?

Very often, following a laminectomy, patients recover without any complications. However in a small group of people, back

pain and sometimes leg pain may persist following laminectomy

. This persistent pain is called post laminectomy syndrome.