Dr. Stefano Sinicropi, M.D.

Making a strong recovery after spine surgery doesn’t happen by accident. If you want to become the most functional version of yourself following a spinal procedure, you’ll want to follow the lead of patients who have achieved similar results in the past. In our experience, although they will all face their own challenges and work towards unique goals, the patients who make the strongest recovery typically do many of the same things throughout their rehab. In today’s blog, we explore the five things that patients who make the strongest recovery after spine surgery all do during their rehabilitation program.

How Successful People Recover From Spine Surgery

Following the lead of successful people is great in many walks of life, and it can be especially helpful after spine surgery. Here’s a look at five ways successful people are acing their recovery from spine surgery.

1. Following Doctor’s Orders – Your surgeon isn’t putting restrictions in place just to make you miserable. Your doctor has restrictions and limitations in place so that you don’t compromise the integrity of the operation or your recovery program. If you are told to avoid lifting more than 15 pounds or avoid getting the incision site wet in the shower, heed that advice! If you truly feel like your restrictions are unnecessary at the moment, reach out to your doctor and get clearance before doing anything that they have forbidden.
2. Short-Term Rest – Your body is going through a lot in the immediate aftermath of an operation. The physical trauma associated with the operation will be fresh, and your body is going to be allocating a lot of resources towards healing the surgical site. Help your body with this process by providing the right type of environment for healing to take place. Get plenty of rest, stay hydrated and consume a range of healthy foods packed with essential vitamins and minerals to give your body the nutrients to aid in tissue healing. Just remember that rest is best right after surgery, and that it’s not an optimal long-term recovery strategy.
3. Diving Into Proactive Treatments– Likely the single best thing you can do for your spine when the time comes is to throw yourself into some proactive recovery techniques. Odds are you’ll eventually be cleared for physical therapy, and this will be key to restoring strength, flexibility and overall function in your spine and its supportive structures. You will not make the strongest recovery without pursuing physical therapy or another active treatment that requires effort on your end. Also, be sure to really give it your all during physical therapy. We always tell patients that they’ll get out what they put in, so if you only put in minimal effort, there’s no reason to expect a fantastic recovery.
4. Setting Goals– Your rehab is also more likely to be successful if you set realistic goals for yourself. Set some short-term and long-term goals with your surgeon or your physical therapist, and work towards them each and every day. If you have goals in mind, you’re more likely to stay committed to your recovery program, and that is key to making a strong recovery. Think about what’s important to you or where you hope to see yourself weeks or months down the road, and stay focused on hitting those goals.
5. Seeing It Through To The End– Finally, patients who make the best recoveries don’t stop their program early. We understand that physical therapy and other rehab exercises may not be the most fun aspect of your day, but that doesn’t mean you should stop performing them because you’ve made some progress. Don’t settle for “good enough” when it comes to your rehabilitation after spine surgery. See the program through to the end and stay committed to your long-term goals, and it will be easier to make the best functional recovery after spine surgery.

Of course, it also helps to pair up with an experienced spine surgeon who can perform the operation and be with you every step of the way during your recovery. We want to provide that level of care for you, so if you’re dealing with a spinal condition or back surgery may be in your future, consider syncing up with Dr. Sinicropi and the team at The Midwest Spine & Brain Institute today at (651) 430-3800.

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