What to be consider after lumbar disc herniation and spinal surgery operations.

Some issues should be considered for a smooth recovery period after lumbar disc herniation and spine surgeries performed as a result of low back and spine disorders.

Here are the important issues to be considered after herniated disc and spine surgeries:

Resting

When you discharge from the hospital after surgery, we recommend bed rest for the first 1 week to heal the superficial (visible from the skin) wound. During this period, you can get up 5-6 times a day for your basic needs (food, toilet, etc.) and sit in a chair and eat your food.

Corset -Brace

You don't need to wear a corset unless your doctor recommends it. Under normal conditions, we do not recommend the corset because it will laze and weaken the waist and back muscles. However, if necessary, your doctor will tell you how and for how long you will use the type of corset that is suitable for you. When you need to use it, wear your corset only when sitting and standing, and do not wear a corset while in bed.

Wound Care

It is sufficient to make the dressing at the wound site for the first 1 week and every other day, unless otherwise specified by your doctor. It is enough to pour 10% povidone (Betadin, Baticon, etc.) into a sterile sponge or cotton and apply it to the suture section without pressing it, and then cover it with a sterile sponge and cover it with a plaster or ready-made self-adhesive sterile wound pads that you can find in pharmacies. It is important that water does not escape from the wound site, does not get germs. If you sweat in summer, we recommend that you change your dressing more often. If there is redness or discharge at the wound site, please inform your doctor. Do not worry that there may be tingling, numbness, stiffness sensation at the operation site or even very slight swelling.

Bath

From the first day after the operation, you can take a bath in the form of a shower with waterproof dressing of the wound site. It is important not to touch the wound site with water in terms of infection. Change your dressing after bath and close it with normal dressing system. After 1 week-10 days, you can take an open shower after the wound is closed, but if you do not rub the wound area, wait for the crusts to fall off themselves.

Smoking – Alcohol

During the wound healing period, the substances harmful to health should not be used. They adversely affect wound healing. Smoking is already one of the causes of hernia formation because it disrupts the structure of the disc between the vertebrae

Lying Position

You can sleep on your back or right on your side in bed. When getting out of bed, first turn to the side and extend the legs to the edge of the bed, then support the bed with the hands and move to a side-sitting position and get up like that. When lying down, you should first sit on the edge of the bed and first lie on your side with support from the arms, then pull the legs and turn on your back. This way you can get up and down without straining your waist and spine

Control

The healing process of the superficial wound, that is, the sutures, after surgery is on average 1 week. The healing process of the deep wound, that is, the place in the spine region, is on average 1 month. For this reason, you should make an appointment with your doctor for your first control within 1 week-10 days after surgery and for your second control in the 1st month. Your examinations after 3 months and 1 year are important for the evaluation of the strength of your lumbar muscles and sensory function.

Travel

After discharge, it is okay to go home sitting in the vehicle. It is useful to pass at least 1 week and 10 days for a long journey. If you need to make such a trip, consult your doctor. On long journeys, you can relax in the seat by putting support behind your waist like a cushion. Stretching movements during short breaks will reduce the occurrence of muscle pain.

Walking and Exercise

When you are discharged after 1 week to 10 days, you can start short walks. Walking distance can gradually be increased. But if you get tired, don't force yourself and be rest.

At your first check-up, do the exercises that your doctor will recommend to you regularly. These exercises are important for strengthening your lower back muscles and preventing your muscle pain. In fact, doing these exercises continuously as a part of your life will play an important role in preventing new hernias and low back pain.