Certified by the board of physical medicine and rehabilitation, Dr. Raymond Reiter is a physician at North Jersey Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Institute. In his practice, Dr. Raymond Reiter treats patients with orthopedic injuries including back injuries and monitors patients in recovery.
Recovery after a spine procedure takes time. Exactly how long it will take depends on several factors including age, general health, type of surgery, and how severe your condition was prior to the surgery. To ensure a smooth recovery, do not be in a rush to get back to your normal routine. Give your body enough time to heal first.
After surgery, a physician may recommend that you join a physical therapy program to help you heal faster and cope better. You may feel pain where the surgery was performed. Discuss this with a pain management specialist to determine the best pain relief course of action.
When the bandage falls off after a week, the area of the incision may look red or feel numb. Check it daily to see if it swells, drains extra fluid, or opens up. If it does, consult your doctor. Do not expose the incision to water for at least a week. This will mean covering it with a plastic wrap when you bathe.
Only perform moderate activity after surgery. Avoid tasks that involve bending or heavy lifting. While sleeping, assume positions that don’t cause back pain. If your doctor prescribed a back brace, wear it while sitting or walking. Take only short walks following the surgery. Do not swim, run, golf, or perform exercises that strain the back. Lastly, stay up to date with your doctor’s appointments.
