Doctors recommend sleeping on your back or your side as you heal from spine surgery. Sleeping on your belly is generally not recommended because your spine is not in a neutral position for a prolonged period. Consider wearing satin pajamas to bed to help it make it easier for you to adjust your sleeping position.
Another way to sleep after spinal fusion surgery is on your side. Just like sleeping on your back, sleeping on your side helps reduce pain and pressure. Try to alternate between sleeping on your left and right side to distribute the pressure and benefit your spine's alignment.
For back pain, in general, sleeping on your back with a pillow under your knees may ease discomfort. Sleeping in a recliner or adjustable bed may also provide some pain relief for the low back.
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.
Don't forget about your restrictions for the first 6 weeks after surgery. You need to avoid twisting and bending. You also need to avoid lifting, pushing or pulling objects greater than 5 lbs. Lifting and activity restrictions will be gradually removed as the healing process takes place.
Nerve recovery can take a year or more after spinal surgery to return to baseline levels of nerve sensitivity. The nervous system requires thousands of repetitions and hours to make these changes. It's similar to the process of learning to play an instrument or developing a new skill.
While wiping, bend from the knees rather than at the hips. A long- handled device may help to reach all areas. 4. The use of pre-moistened, flushable wipes is strongly recommended.
Sit with both feet flat on the ground (you may need to use a low stool). Your hips should be just higher than your knees, and you should have equal weight through both hips. With your hips at the back of the chair, the front of the seat should not place pressure on the backs of your knees or calves.
Walking is the best “exercise” after surgery and you need to walk DAILY. You should not engage in any other exercise until instructed by your physician.
Avoid bending at all after a lumbar fusion if possible, as bending or twisting can interfere with the way the fusion heals and even damage the work that was done.
Nevertheless, if your doctor determines it is safe for you to sleep on your side, you may do so as long as you have a support mechanism tucked between your knees or ankles. A support “mechanism” can be as simple as one or two plush pillows or a specially designed foam block.
Short-term bed rest is a well-documented primary and adjuvant method of treatment for spinal and musculoskeletal conditions. Two days of bed rest is usually sufficient for the treatment of acute low back pain [7].
You'll be encouraged to walk and move around the day after surgery and it's likely you'll be discharged 1 to 4 days afterwards. 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).
The optimal sleeping position for a herniated disc is on your back. Lying on your back keeps your spine in a neutral position so you have less chance of pinching the nerve.
The most common cause of buttock pain after lumbar fusion is hardware failure, which can occur when the metal screws or rods used to hold the bones in place loosen or break.
Avoid sitting for prolonged periods.
Although sitting will not cause damage after back surgery, during the first few weeks, prolonged sitting is usually uncomfortable and people do best if they get up, move around or change position on a frequent basis (e.g. every half hour).
Along with being patient, you should be careful to not overdo it. 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.
TRADITIONAL SUTURE/STAPLE PATIENT: BATHING: You should not get your incision wet until at least 5 days after your surgery. Do not soak for 2 weeks. You may shower if the incision is covered with a waterproof dressing.
It takes between six months and one year to fully recover from L4-L5 fusion. You may need four to six weeks to return to basic activities around the house after the procedure, and one to two months to return to work.
How do I know the nerve is recovering? As your nerve recovers, the area the nerve supplies may feel quite unpleasant and tingly. This may be accompanied by an electric shock sensation at the level of the growing nerve fibres; the location of this sensation should move as the nerve heals and grows.
In general, if pain relief is experienced in the three months after surgery, the relief will likely continue. However, in 10-20% of cases, the pain continues until the nerve fully heals. Numbness and tingling take longer than pain to go away.