Almost everyone experiences spinal pain at some point in their lifetime. Roughly 80 percent of adults in the United States of America experience spinal pain, ranging from minor discomfort to debilitating agony anywhere from the neck to the tailbone. If you are one of the millions of people experiencing spinal pain, Las Vegas spinal fusion surgery can help to relieve your pain and improve your quality of life.
After undergoing a spinal fusion surgery, you need a significant amount of time to heal. However, there are some things you can do to help yourself heal smoothly and faster. Here are tips for a smooth recovery after spinal fusion surgery:
Manage your pain
After spinal fusion surgery, you will most likely be in a lot of pain. However, your doctor will give you certain medications to ease your pain. These are primarily targeted for short-term usage, and acquiring a stronger dosage or several refills is sometimes difficult. You can minimize your dependency on these drugs by treating your pain with ice packs, heating pads, and anti-inflammatory meals like pistachios, almonds, and green, leafy veggies.
Also, you can do light exercises to restore muscular strength. However, consult your doctor before you do any exercise for medical clearance.
Get a helping hand
After surgery, you need to relax and avoid engaging in certain activities. Have someone around the home to help you so you don’t have to bend, reach, or move anything heavy while recovering. You can get some help getting groceries, laundry, cleaning the home, and taking care of your pets.
Increase your convenience and comfort
After your surgery, you can use raised toilet seats and hand-operated grippers to make it simpler to stand and sit. Such things will help you stay comfortable and prevent injuries. Also, you can keep a minifridge in your bedroom to cut down on visits to the kitchen, and refillable water bottles can ensure you stay hydrated throughout the day.
Keep an eye out for infection symptoms
Ensure you clean your incision site once a day, and check it for symptoms of infection twice daily. Contact your spine surgeon if you see any changes on your wound that are not normal, such as redness, discharge, or swelling. Other signs of infection to look out for include fever, chills, and discomfort at the location of the incision. Also, call your doctor if you have any questions or you if are experiencing pain that does not seem to go away.
Sleep in the right position
Getting a full night of undisturbed sleep shortly after surgery will aid the recovery process and reduce the time needed to recuperate. The patient’s sleeping posture is the most crucial element. The ideal position for sleeping is to lie with your face up on the bed, with pillows propping up the upper back, shoulders, and head, and other pillows tucked under the knees to keep the hips and knees bent slightly. This position reduces pressure and stress in your spine, so you will heal more quickly.
Call McNulty Spine to book your appointment for spinal fusion surgery.
