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 much walking should I 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.
How do you strengthen your core after back surgery?
- First, Posture! You don’t have to walk around balancing a book on your head. …
- Bridges. Bridging exercises target your back, abdominal and pelvic muscles, giving you more bang for your buck. …
- Bird Dog. …
- Planks.
How long does it take for muscle 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 soon after back surgery can I exercise?
People who have a minimally invasive decompression procedure generally need
4 weeks after
their procedure before they can begin incorporating physical activity into their routine. For people who have a more complex open surgery, you may have to wait between 4 and 6 months after your procedure to safely exercise again.
Does walking strengthen your back?
1.
Walking strengthens the muscles that support your spine
.
Your
trunk, core, and lumbar (lower back) muscles play a vital role in maintaining the stability and movement of your lower back. These muscles can become deconditioned and weak from a sedentary lifestyle, causing malalignment of the spine.
Why are my legs so weak after back surgery?
Nerve injury and
paralysis
Some patients who have lumbar decompression surgery will develop new numbness or weakness in one or both legs as a result of the operation. Paralysis is an uncommon, but serious, complication that can occur as a result of lumbar decompression 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.
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 helps nerve pain in legs after back surgery?
In the early postoperative period (3 to 12 months),
medications such as Neurontin
may help limit back pain or leg pain, and exercises can help free up the nerve. Beyond this time period, pain management techniques may help the patient cope with the back pain or leg pain.
What can you not 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 stiffness last after back surgery?
After surgery, you can expect your back to feel stiff and sore. You may have trouble sitting or standing in one position for very long and may need pain medicine in the weeks after your surgery. It may take
4 to 6 weeks
to get back to doing simple activities, such as light housework.
How should I lay down after back surgery?
Sleep Comfortably
It is generally OK after back surgery to sleep in whatever position is most comfortable. Some prefer to sleep on one side or the other with a pillow between their knees and/or behind them to support the back.
Why does my leg still hurt after back surgery?
Although spine surgery has become much more reliable in the last 20 years or so, some patients will still have leg pain after a lumbar
decompression surgery for spinal stenosis
or a disc herniation. Sometimes this is a temporary condition as the nerve root or roots take time to heal. This can take days to weeks.
How long is physical therapy after back surgery?
Your physical therapist will also work with you and teach you how to move correctly so that you can avoid future injuries to your back. While your physical therapy treatment may last
four to six weeks
, your recovery may last up to four months.
Can you climb stairs after back surgery?
While it may seem easy to climb stairs a few days after surgery, this motion can put undue stress on your spine and slow down your recovery. You can go upstairs in the couple weeks following surgery, but it’s
best to limit stairs to once or twice a day in the first few weeks
.
