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Spine Surgery: 5 Tips for Speedy Recovery

Apr 12, 2019
Orthopedic Spine Surgery Suffolk County Ny

Your spine is one of the most critical parts of your body that plays a crucial role in your everyday movements. If you end up getting it injured in some way, healing from it after your orthopedic spine surgery will not be easy. Any wrong action you take during this period could end up slowing down the recovery or make your condition even worse. You need to go in with a plan that keeps you calm and focused during this difficult process. Here are 5 tips you should consider if you want a safer and faster recovery.

Be Honest

While orthopedic specialists do have the necessary equipment to diagnose your condition and offer solutions, you need to be brutally honest with them when they examine you. If it hurts badly when you try to perform a certain action or you are feeling pain in other parts of your body, they need to know so that they can determine the severity of the injury. You should also come in with questions for them to answer. Center more of these questions on some of the pain you are currently feeling and what they recommend doing to make it go away faster. Don’t be afraid to ask for second opinions as well. Having another doctor check on your spine could reinforce the first doctor’s advice or make you consider alternative medical options.

Expect Physical Therapy

Spinal injuries aren’t like your typical sprained ankles or broken arms. Your spine is responsible for so many of your body movements. Some people end up spending the rest of their lives in a wheelchair from one spinal injury alone. With that said, don’t be surprised if your doctor suggests scheduling a couple of physical therapy sessions. Even if you feel like the spinal injury could have been so much worse, orthopedic specialists still recommend signing up for a session that teaches crucial techniques directly.

Take Time Off

If you are having pain that affects your job and/or job performance, it’s a good idea to let them know your condition. The faster your workplace knows about your injury, the more time they have to try and provide accommodations for you at your job or assign you somewhere else more suitable. Mental health is important towards recovering as well, so you should try to minimize your worries.

Orthopedic Spine Surgery Suffolk County Ny

Take Necessary Medications

One question you should ask your doctor is what type of medications they would prescribe to minimize pain and make your recovery quicker. Patients are especially vulnerable right after the incident, so you may end up purchasing the wrong drug that could end up putting your body in more trouble. Spine injury victims usually require multiple types of medicine during their healing, so don’t be afraid to write down the list of medicines that the doctor proposes would help. There isn’t one medication that cures spinal injuries, but some can make healing from them slightly less of a chore. You need to also ask for any potential side effects these medicines could cause to avoid giving your spine anymore damage.

Slow, but Not Too Steady

As painful and tedious as a spinal recovery is, you need to make sure you approach your recovery at a careful pace. If you repeatedly move your spine in an uncomfortable position or attempt brash ways to cure the injury, you could risk making it worse. However, too much inactivity can leave your spine stiff and difficult to move even after the spinal injury is gone. Learn what your body is capable of doing during these periods so that you can find a healthy way to push towards your recovery.

Whether you need immediate medical assistance or advice towards healing, contact Peconic Bay Medical Center. We also provide orthopedic spine surgery in Suffolk County, NY. Consult with one of our spine specialist today.