Recovering From Back Surgery

Depending on what surgery you have undergone you may be home the same day or you may be in the hospital for a few days to a week as you begin the healing process.

The good thing to know is that most people who have back surgery to help reduce back pain and increase their mobility have good to excellent results and see a significant amount of pain reduction and return to their pre-pain range of motion and strength.

For some, this occurs right after the surgery but with others it may take some time and rehabilitation. Both of these are normal and nothing to worry about. You will want to limit how much time you rest your back, as the sooner you become active the faster you can return to your normal day to day life. You will of course want to be very careful about pushing yourself to fast and it is always best to follow your doctor’s orders.

Physical Rehabilitation After Back Surgery

Your rehabilitation after your surgery will be very important and is something that can help you recover faster from your surgery as well as help to strengthen your back. Your rehab will be a combination of things that are used to help you get better. Your physical therapist will help you control or manage your back pain; they will help tailor a program for you that will include exercise, stretching and educate you about what you need to know after your back has healed and what you need to do in the future to help protect your spine.

Keep in mind also that after your back surgery and depending on what type of surgery you had it may not be possible for you to get around as well as you used to. Your movements will be very limited and you may not be able to bend or twist your back in many ways as it heals. You may need help getting dressed, showering, taking care of your children or pets, eating, or just doing all the little things that need to be done during the day. Because of this is it best that you have a family member or friend help you up for the first few weeks.

You will feel sore, tired, and it is also possible that you may be in pain for the first while following your surgery. If you have any of the following symptoms you will need to contact your doctor as soon as possible:

• Pain that is very severe
• Swelling or inflammation near the incision
• Weakness or numbness in your extremities
• Fever
• Problems breathing
• Bowel or bladder control problems

All of these symptoms can be a very serious problem and you should never wait to contact your doctor if any of these occur.