Dr. Stefano Sinicropi, M.D.

The process of physically getting dressed for the day is something that we oftentimes don’t pay much attention to unless we can no longer do it as easily as we once did. For many people who undergo a minimally invasive or open spinal procedure, it becomes evident rather quickly that getting dressed isn’t as easy as it was in the past. That said, if you are smart about how you approach the process, we’re confident that you’ll be able to get dressed effectively and with minimal discomfort. In today’s blog, we share six tips for putting on clothes following your spine surgery procedure.

Tips For Getting Dressed After Back Surgery

From your head to your feet, we take a look at some ways to make the process of getting dressed a little simpler after spine surgery.

1. Button Ups And Zippers – Shirts with zippers and buttons will typically be much easier to slip on compared to options that you need to put on over your head. In many cases it won’t be as easy to lift your arms above your head, so avoid this maneuver by grabbing some button up or zip-up options.
2. Elastic Waistbands – Instead of messing with a belt or tight fitting jeans that may be uncomfortable, opt for looser pants that have an elastic waistband. Going to the bathroom may be uncomfortable enough after back surgery without having to worry about easily getting your pants on and off. Pants with elastic waistbands will be your friend during the first few days of your rehab.
3. Slip On Shoes – Bending over to get your shoes on or tie your laces may be next to impossible following your spine surgery, so choose some shoes that don’t require any bending to put on. Slip-on shoes and sandals will make it easier to let the dog out or get the mail without having to strain to get your shoes on.
4. Utilize Your Bed – Instead of bending and twisting in order to get your clothes on, use your bed or another soft surface to your advantage. You can lay on your bed to help pull your pants up or get your socks on, because the bed allows you to keep your back straight as you pull the clothes on. Use your bed as a tool to assist the process as you get dressed in the morning.
5. Plan Ahead – Instead of waiting until you get home from surgery to pull out the clothes that will be easier to wear, grab them before the day of surgery. Have all your clothes laid out in an easily accessible spot so that you don’t have to bend over or dig through dresser drawers to find those clothes that you want to wear after surgery.
6. Ask For Help – Finally, because we typically get dressed in private, others may not know that you’re struggling to get dressed after spine surgery unless you mention it. Please don’t be afraid to ask for help from a friend or a loved one. Getting dressed is so much easier if you have a second set of hands after spine surgery, so don’t hesitate to ask for help during the first few days when getting dressed is most difficult.

For more tips on getting dressed after spine surgery, or for help with your spinal discomfort, reach out to Dr. Sinicropi and his team today at (651) 430-3800.

Comments are closed.