The Drug Rehabilitation

Monday, June 2, 2014

Much Goes Into Rehab Following Lumbar Fusion

By Neil P. Hines


The spinal fusing process is negatively affected by some medications, but unless necessary, they must not be used for 6 months after the surgery. When utilizing oral cortisone and non-steroid based anti-inflammatory medicine, you should check with an expert to find out how that will affect your rehab following lumbar fusion. Most patients need narcotic medications several weeks after their surgery. These should be used less as your pain diminishes.

Due to the excessive stress that is placed on the spine, while exiting and entering a bathtub, experts recommend that just showers must be used in the initial 3 months after your surgery. Taking a seat on a special shower-seat will be advantageous, as that decreases your chances of falling or slipping.Although the capacity of any patient to create adequate fusion tends to be based on numerous factors, not many are as vital as proper nutrition.

For your bones to grow and create solid fusion, they require protein. The process gets protein out of 2 sources: drinks and food, or by breaking down muscles into building blocks that form protein. Should you not provide it with enough protein, from your drinks and food, it shall attack your muscles for the protein that it requires to function, so your fatigue would increase accordingly.

Thus, you need to increase your intake of protein in the first few months following the surgery. Foods that are protein-must be stressed, including: fish, eggs, dairy products, chicken, turkey, as well as red meats. The healing process also requires increased calories, so you must still eat your balanced diet.

Climbing steps, one by one, is usually permitted, should the patient have practiced this at least once with supervision. The restrictions apply between 6 weeks and 3 months following the surgery. However, brushing your teeth while leaning over the sink is permitted, being already possible within several days following your surgery.

The process of physical therapy begins about 3-4 months following the surgery, lasting for 6, to 12 weeks. Stretching exercises will be performed initially, to provide you with maximum flexibility. That is followed by some aerobic exercises, in order to improve your body's general conditioning. This is usually followed by resistance training, often with weights, thus improving your stability and strength, especially your spine.

Quality maintenance programs will be key for maximizing the result of your procedure.Unlimited or restricted participation in all sports activities is variably allowed by the surgeon after your back has healed.Patients that have had, and ones that are contemplating this sort of surgery are reasonably concerned about being sure that the process goes as intended. This is the reason that many patients feel afraid to get active and do not wish to move, for fear of risking the fusion not setting up properly.




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