Common Back & Neck Surgery Precautions

Common Back & Neck Surgery Precautions

The video protocols offered by KB Fitness, LLC, include some of the more common and standard exercises that you can expect to be taught while receiving Physical Therapy during specific time frames following an injury or surgery.  However, each surgery/injury and each individual undergoing surgery or recovering from an injury are different.  We all heal at different rates, and some surgeries are more extensive than others.  There is an expected time frame for the patient to be able to perform certain activities, and that is what the protocols provide…a base or foundation to work off of.  The benefit of seeing a Physical Therapist is having the frequent one-on-one guidance as you progress through your protocol.  Your therapist will decide when to “hold you back” and when to “push you harder,” again using the protocol as a guideline. 

Unfortunately, not everyone has the time, insurance or the finances to allow them to attend Physical Therapy.  So the videos offered here were produced to help those who do not have the convenience of going to a Physical Therapy Clinic.  It is advised, however, that you take the Home Exercise Handouts that accompany each video protocol to your Physician during your follow-ups for him/her to check off which exercises you should and should not be doing at any particular time.  I have found that two different surgeons performing the same surgery may expect their patient to be functioning at different levels in their rehab, as some surgeons are more aggressive or conservative than others.  For example, some surgeons may send you home wearing a back brace, while others may not.  This is why it is very important to keep your doctor, surgeon, and/or therapists informed of what activities you are doing or intend to do following your surgery or injury, by showing them the Protocol Handouts.   

Although two different surgeons may have different expectations at certain times following surgery/injury, there are some common precautions that patients should be made aware of following surgeries, especially Cervical or Lumbar Spinal Fusion.  Here are some precautions to keep in mind that many surgeons do agree on….

• Remember B-L-T!!!  This stands for absolutely No Bending, Lifting, or Twisting
• Learn how to Log Roll and use it to get in and out of bed. Click HERE to see a video describing the Log Roll Technique.  This video was taken from the HomeBound and Deconditioning Video Series

• If you are recovering from a Neck Fusion, wear the collar you received at all times.  You should also receive a shower collar after surgery
• If you are recovering from Low Back Fusion, you must wear your back brace if walking more than 5 minutes.  You do not have to wear it if sitting or in bed (unless your surgeon says otherwise).  Wear a T-shirt under the brace to avoid direct skin contact with the brace
• Do not lift objects greater than 10 pounds.  The time frame for this varies by surgeon so make sure you ask during your follow up visit, which occurs within 2 weeks following surgery
• Limit your sitting to 30-60 minutes.  Follow this by walking or lying down.  You may sit in a recliner with your feet up
• Walk, Walk, Walk as much as possible, but take frequent rests.
• Ask your doctor about when you can return to aerobics or strenuous exercises, but it usually takes 3 months
• If you have to climb stairs, do so carefully
• Ask your doctor when you can shower as you may be advised not to get the surgical bandages wet.  They occasionally use waterproof bandages but this varies.
• Do not pull off the steri-strips.  They will come off on their own. 
• Go to the ER if you experience chest pain, difficulty breathing, prolonged nausea/vomiting, severe and uncontrollable pain, or are in a car accident.
• Make sure to call the surgeon’s office if you incision opens, if you have a fever greater than 101, or there is drainage at the incision site 5 days after surgery.
• No driving until you visit your surgeon at the post-op visit and get approval.  Remember, if you do drive prior to receiving permission and are in an accident, this may pose an issue in regards to your auto insurance coverage.  If you are still taking the narcotic pain medicine, your doctor may either tell you not to drive until you are off the meds, or he/she may advise you to wait 4 hours after you take the meds before driving.
• Following Fusion of the neck or spine, Do Not perform ANY neck or back exercises until your doctor allows.  This may take over a month following surgery.  Just Walk, Walk, Walk!!!  The exercises on the Fusion DVD Protocols are to be performed to strengthen your neck or back only after enough healing has occurred and you receive permission from your surgeon.  You may receive Physical Therapy immediately following surgery.  However, this usually is to make sure you are navigating your home safely and following all post-surgery precautions.