What to Know About Recovering from Spinal Fusion Surgery

Recovering after spinal fusion surgery—a procedure in which two or more vertebrae are permanently joined into one solid bone—can be a challenging process if not approached correctly. Fortunately, your spine surgeon will provide you with specific instructions that will help make the postoperative period a bit more comfortable. Even more importantly, your surgeon’s recommendations will help protect the long-term success of your back, spine, and neck. From postoperative activity recommendations to the warning signs that warrant a call to your spine surgeon, here’s everything you need to know following your spinal fusion surgery. What’s the Average Recovery Time After Spinal Fusion Surgery? A procedure of this nature can typically take anywhere from three to six months to fully heal, including the various types of physical therapy that each patient must undergo. The road to spinal fusion recovery usually evolves in this way: Postoperative care in the hospital: The period of rehabilitation in the hospital normally lasts between two and five days. Recovery at home: Once at home, you’ll likely spend the first four weeks resting and beginning to reintroduce various movements back into your regular routine. The rest of your recovery time will likely be spent performing physical therapy and resuming more demanding activities. Physical therapy: After about four weeks of rest and recovery, you’ll begin physical therapy. This typically lasts about three months and helps you increase the range of motion and strength in your back and surrounding muscles. Every recovery timetable is different, but in any case, it’s important to understand that the recovery process will be lengthy. Your age, overall health, and physical condition affect how quickly you’ll heal and be able to return to your usual activities. You’ll be feeling slightly better every week after the surgery and likely make a full recovery after three to six months. What Can You Expect Just After Spinal Fusion Surgery? After your procedure, you can expect to stay in the hospital for between two and five days depending on your recovery and post-surgical abilities, health, and activities. Before you’re cleared to go home, you’ll need to be able to control your pain, get up and walk on your own, and empty your bladder. If you’re struggling to perform any of these basic functions after your spinal fusion surgery, you may need to stay in the hospital a bit longer. You may also be sent home with a walker or other home equipment depending on your physical capabilities after the procedure. A physical therapist can help you learn how to use proper body mechanics. One technique you may practice is “log rolling,” meaning that you keep your back straight and avoid twisting when rolling from side to side and onto your back. This is important to do when changing positions or getting out of bed to avoid further damaging your back, spine, and neck. How Can You Take Care of Yourself at Home Following Spinal Fusion Surgery? Once you get home after the spinal fusion surgery, it’s not uncommon to

What to Know About Recovering from Artificial Disc Replacement Surgery

Degenerative disc disease and other spinal disorders that weaken vertebrae in the spine can impact your ability to work, take care of your kids, and live a life free of pain. Injuries, aging, and everyday wear and tear can contribute to the development of degenerative disc disease, as well as more severe conditions such as spinal stenosis and osteoarthritis Degenerative discs can cause crippling pain, from numbness and tingling to extreme discomfort in the neck and back. In mild cases, it may be possible to treat your pain with non-invasive treatments like physical therapy and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medicines. When these practices fail to effectively reduce pain, artificial disc replacement surgery may be your best option. Artificial Disc Replacement Procedure Artificial disc replacement surgery is performed by removing the damaged disc and replacing it with a disc that resembles the natural function of the original disc. The artificial disc is made of metal or a compound of metal and plastic. The produce can take anywhere between one to two hours to complete and is performed by making a small incision in the affected area, allowing the surgeon to expose the spine without disrupting any nerves. Once the artificial disc is secure, the surgeon will stitch up and bandage the incision, and you will be on your way to recovery. Recovering Process After Artificial Disc Replacement Surgery The following covers what to expect from the recovering process starting on the day of surgery and after surgery. Day of Surgery Although the surgery itself can relieve your pain, it’s critical that you follow the set of instructions your physician provides you to expedite your recovery. One of the major benefits of this surgery is that it can be conducted on an outpatient basis, meaning you don’t have to be hospitalized overnight. After the procedure, your physician may suggest wearing a post-operative brace to provide support to your spinal column; however, that is dependent on which disc had replaced. You’ll also have a surgical bandage over the incision areas that’ll need to be changed and cleaned up to prevent an infection. Additionally, due to the side effects of anesthesia, a friend or relative will need to drive you home. After Surgery As for patient recovery, everyone is unique. Generally, people return to full activity in 6 weeks, but others require more time. Those with sedentary jobs may be able to get back to work within a week or two, but again, this largely depends on the type of disc being replaced and a person’s pain tolerance. Tylenol and other anti-inflammatory medications are helpful to ease some pain, but your physician may prescribe a prescription medication. However, this is usually not needed. Once you can perform activities independently, your doctor will likely recommend following physical therapy and a diet plan to promote faster and quality healing. You will receive a list of strengthening exercises as you start to regain mobility. Your physician will also give you a list of activities you should refrain from doing

How Does Spinal Stenosis Occur and What Treatments Are Available?

Suffering from back pain can be extremely frustrating and debilitating. It not only prevents many people from engaging in work and other everyday activities but can also be tremendously painful. Back pain is considered the single leading cause of disability worldwide and can affect people of all ages. If you do suffer from back pain, it’s important that you understand your symptoms and treat them swiftly and effectively. One of the most common back conditions is spinal stenosis. It affects 8 to 11 percent of the population and is most often diagnosed in individuals over 50 years old. We’ll discuss spinal stenosis and its symptoms, causes, and treatments. What Is Spinal Stenosis? The spine is a column of bones called vertebrae that supports our upper bodies and allows us to turn, twist, walk, and balance. Spinal nerves, which run through openings in the vertebrae and send signals from the brain to the rest of the body, are shielded from damage by the adjoining bone and tissue. If they become damaged, however, our mobility may become compromised. Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the small spinal canal, which contains and puts pressure on the nerve roots and spinal cord. A tightened space can cause the spine and nerves to become irritated, compressed, or pinched, which can lead to back pain and sciatica. A person with this condition typically feels severe discomfort in the legs, calves, or lower back when standing or walking. Symptoms slowly progress over time as the nerves become more compressed, and you may experience: Balance problems Numbness or tingling in your hands, arms, feet, legs, or buttocks Leg or arm weakness Neck pain Lower back pain while standing or walking Before treatment, patients with spinal stenosis typically feel pain when running, walking, or standing but feel relief when sitting. What Causes Spinal Stenosis and Who Does It Affect? While spinal stenosis may affect younger patients due to developmental factors, it’s more often a degenerative condition that affects people over the age of 50. Here are some of the reasons why a patient might be affected by spinal stenosis: Age: Spinal stenosis can occur naturally as you begin to age. Degenerative processes start to thicken your spinal tissue and bones as you get older, which innately compresses the nerves. Birth and developmental factors: Spinal stenosis can affect people who were born with a narrow spinal canal, a spinal birth defect, scoliosis, or achondroplasia. Unresolved medical conditions: If you have other back, neck, or spine conditions—such as Paget’s Disease, osteoarthritis, bony spurs, inflammatory spondylarthrosis, thickened ligaments, herniated disks, or spinal tumors—your risk of developing spinal stenosis increases. Spinal injuries: If you’ve suffered trauma as a result of an injury—such as a car accident or a slip and fall—you may have dislocated or fractured one or more vertebrae. Displaced bones from a spinal fracture may damage the contents of the spinal canal, and swelling can put pressure on the nerve roots and spinal cord. If you think you may be at

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What to Know About Recovering from Spinal Fusion Surgery

What to Know About Recovering from Artificial Disc Replacement Surgery

How Does Spinal Stenosis Occur and What Treatments Are Available?

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