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 important is physical therapy after back surgery?
Physical therapy after back surgery can be essential to your healing and to strengthening the weak back muscles that likely contributed to your initial back pain and disc issues. Most patients find that they quickly become experienced enough with the exercises so that you can safely do them at home.
Can you walk too much after back surgery?
Walk, Walk, Walk. Individuals recovering from surgery are prone to put on excess weight because they are often limited in their mobility (and therefore their ability to burn calories), especially in the first 2 to 3 weeks after surgery.
What type of physical therapy do you do after back surgery?
Therapists focus on muscle facilitation with areas where the muscles may need special retraining to gain strength and provide stability following the back surgery. This type of exercise therapy may focus on: Muscles in the incision area.
How much walking should you do after back surgery?
Walking is the best activity you can do for the first 6 weeks after surgery. You should start out slowly and work up to walking 30 minutes at least twice a day . Do not be surprised if you require frequent naps during the day.
What is the fastest way to recover from back surgery?
- Practice Proper Back Care. Spinal fusions may require more bed rest than other kinds of spine surgeries. ...
- Engage in Pain-Relief Activities. ...
- Maintain a Healthy Diet. ...
- Internalize Recovery Habits. ...
- Keep Your Physical Therapy Appointments.
How long does it take for muscles to heal after back surgery?
Discectomy/laminectomy—if you have had a discectomy the recovery rate is between three and six months. Soft tissue such as muscle, ligament and disc takes 12 weeks for full healing to take place.
How long should pain last after back surgery?
As the back continues to heal, patients usually start to feel better and find they can take on more activities. The worst pain is generally over by 4 weeks after surgery. Pain is likely to continue to decrease gradually, but some patients continue to have pain 3 to 6 months after surgery .
How do you strengthen your legs after back surgery?
- 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.
Is a recliner good after back surgery?
Recliners can help ease pressure on your lower back , and sitting on something cushioned, such as an inflatable donut pillow or hemorrhoid pillow, can make sitting more tolerable. If you’re having extensive surgery, you may want to consider renting an adjustable bed for the postoperative recovery period.
What is the best exercise after back surgery?
Walking is one of the best exercises you can do after a lumbar laminectomy or discectomy surgery. 1 Why? Because walking helps to improve blood flow throughout your body. This helps to bring in oxygen and nutrients to your spinal muscles and tissues as they heal.
How long does it take to recover from l4 l5 back surgery?
It will take about 4 to 6 weeks for you to reach your expected level of mobility and function (this will depend on the severity of your condition and symptoms before the operation). When you wake up after lumbar decompression surgery, your back may feel sore and you’ll probably be attached to 1 or more tubes.
What can you not do after lower back surgery?
No matter what type of back surgery you’re undergoing, and no matter how well controlled your pain is, it’s vital that you avoid bending, lifting, and twisting . Bending from the waist, lifting more than 10 pounds, and twisting your torso all put undue pressure on your vulnerable spine.
Is back surgery worth the risk?
Back surgery might be an option if conservative treatments haven’t worked and your pain is persistent and disabling. Back surgery often more predictably relieves associated pain or numbness that goes down one or both arms or legs. These symptoms often are caused by compressed nerves in your spine.
What can’t you do after back surgery?
No matter what type of back surgery you’re undergoing, and no matter how well controlled your pain is, it’s vital that you avoid bending, lifting, and twisting . Bending from the waist, lifting more than 10 pounds, and twisting your torso all put undue pressure on your vulnerable spine.
How long does it take for leg pain to go away after back surgery?
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.
