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Exercise and movement after spinal surgery: Safe recovery

Recovery after lumbar decompression - person walking on a footpath.Safe exercise and movement after spinal surgery will help you to heal and rebuild strength. You’ll need to follow specific guidelines and do targeted exercises. Pain-relief medication will help you move more easily, which you will be informed about while you’re still in hospital.

This information is a guide only. Dr Raj Reddy may tailor advice to your specific needs.

What should I do right after surgery?

In the days after surgery, do gentle exercises to help prevent breathing problems and blood clots. Repeat these exercises 5–10 times every hour:

  • Circulation exercises: Point and flex your toes, make small circles with your ankles, and tense and relax your thighs and buttocks.
  • Deep breathing: Breathe slowly and deeply through your nose. Try to breathe from your stomach and feel your ribs expand. Hold your breath for 3 seconds, then breathe out.

How do I get in and out of bed?

Use the ‘roll’ technique to avoid pressure on your spine. Your physiotherapist will show you how to do this:

  • To get in bed: Sit on the edge of the bed, lower yourself onto your side, and roll onto your back.
  • To get out of bed: Roll onto your side, lower your legs off the bed, and push yourself up with your arms.

What movement after surgery should I do?

It’s important to change your position often, even in the hospital. This helps reduce pain and stiffness. Try standing, sitting, walking and lying down, but don’t sit for longer than 30–60 minutes at a time. Sit in a chair with a back and armrests if possible.

What movement should I avoid?

In the first 4–6 weeks, your spine, muscles, and joints are in the early stages of healing, so don’t lift heavy things or twist your back. This can hurt you and slow healing.

What exercise after surgery should I do?

Walking is the best exercise. Start with short walks often, and gradually walk longer as your pain decreases. After 2 weeks, you should be able to walk for 20–30 minutes. Walk on flat ground at first. Walking in a pool is also good, but check with Dr Reddy first as you need to keep your surgical wound dry in the first stages of healing. Avoid walking in water that’s deeper than your chest height.

Dr Raj Reddy will advise when you can do sport again.

Wait for 4 weeks after surgery before any sexual activity. Keep your spine straight and avoid bending or twisting.

How do I lift things safely?

For at least 4–6 weeks, you shouldn’t lift anything heavier than 2–4 kg. When you can lift, bend your knees and hips to squat and pick up the object, not your back. Keep your back straight and don’t twist while lifting.

Can I do household duties after surgery?

For the first 4 weeks, avoid activities that strain your back. Don’t carry heavy things like washing baskets or shopping bags. You can do things like gardening, but do it gently and for short periods.

Do I need physiotherapy?

After 4–6 weeks, you may need physiotherapy to help you move safely, rebuild strength and prevent injury.

Consider seeing a physiotherapist who specialises in spinal surgery.

When can I drive again?

Most people should wait 2 weeks before driving. Before driving, you must be able to move freely and perform emergency braking safely. You must also have stopped strong pain medication, like opioids. Dr Reddy will let you know when it’s safe to drive again.

You can be a car passenger, but it may feel uncomfortable. For long trips, take regular breaks to move and stretch.

Learn more about how to recover safely after different types of spinal surgery.

 

Sources

 

Image by Daniel Reche via Pexel under a Creative Commons licence.

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