It is rare but possible for a patient to not recover properly after spine surgery. There are patients who report the results not being as good as expected or some symptoms persisting even after surgical intervention.
If you have undergone spinal surgery and are still suffering from pain well beyond the normal recovery period, it is a sign to consult neck and spine doctors near you and take up the matter with them.
The most common reasons behind unsatisfactory post-op recovery are misinterpreting the spinal problem and inadequate preoperative counseling.
Often what the patient anticipates from the surgery may not be in line with a realistic expectation. Additionally, post-op recovery is determined by many factors, including general health, the severity of spine issues, redundant symptoms present before surgery, and the surgical procedure performed.
What Can Delay Your Recovery?
Here are some factors that can hinder your ability to recover properly after a spine operation. -
Depression and anxiety are major reasons behind many people facing a challenging recovery period.
The psychosocial well-being of the patient is compromised. Multiple studies have discovered that patients with better psychosocial well-being are healthier in the long term.
If the patient is an acute smoker or drinker, it can have an adverse impact on post-op recovery. There are certain regions in the body (especially around the lungs) that are prone to developing complications due to smoking. During recovery, the body is also susceptible to infections. It is certainly not wise to smoke when the body is already struggling. General guidance protocols also state that the patient should swear off alcohol for at least 2 weeks after the surgery.
Tips to Recover Better from Surgery
You may not realize it right away but sleep plays a very important role in post-operative recovery. A healthy sleep cycle ensures that the body’s healing mechanisms are running well. If you find sleep elusive in the days following your surgery, you should have a talk with a neck and spine doctor near you and get sleep medication prescribed.
Improper diet after surgery can seriously halt your recovery. After you have gone through surgery it is considered to be of utmost importance to fuel your body with nutritious food. A healthy body will be more efficient at dealing with surgical wounds. You should also hydrate yourself frequently. Avoid fast food and food high in saturated fats.
Walking is a great way to relieve local inflammation from spine surgery. Start slow, walk for 10 minutes, two times a day. Walking helps restore mobility and get the spine muscles back in shape. Don’t overdo it but with time you should be able to increase your time. Walking is also suggested by doctors to avoid putting on excessive weight after surgery.
Our surgeons at Neuroscience Specialists have years of experience and expertise working with delicate spinal complications. For over 70 years we have excelled in patient-focused neurological treatment. Our services are aided by state-of-the-art medical technology.
Book an appointment with us today at (800) 742-3136 (toll-free).
**Disclaimer- Information presented here is not intended to be qualified medical advice. Nothing expressed herein creates a doctor-patient relationship.
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