When should I start physical therapy after laminectomy?
When to Start Physical Therapy In general, you should expect to start physical therapy 4 to 6 weeks after your lumbar laminectomy or discectomy. If there were any post-operative complications like infection or excessive bleeding, then you may need to wait a bit longer.
How long does it take to recover from a laminectomy and discectomy?
Complete recovery may take 4 to 6 weeks or a few months after a lumbar laminectomy depending on the age and general health of the patient and the number of segments treated.
How long after laminectomy can you exercise?
People who have a minimally invasive decompression procedure generally need 4 weeks after their procedure before they can begin incorporating physical activity into their routine. For people who have a more complex open surgery, you may have to wait between 4 and 6 months after your procedure to safely exercise again.
Are muscles cut during laminectomy?
The surgeon will make an incision in the skin of your back over the affected area. The muscles and soft tissues around the spine will be pulled to the side, exposing the spine. The surgeon will then cut away bone, bone spurs, and ligaments that are compressing nerves.
Can you do yoga after a laminectomy?
Greet your recovering spine each day with some simple yoga exercises. Yoga is recommended for some patients recovering from spinal fusion surgery. Make sure to get approval first from your physician before practicing yoga after spine surgery.
How to recover from a lumbar laminectomy and discectomy?
You may benefit from physical therapy after a lumbar laminectomy and discectomy to help you fully recover. The goals of low-back rehab after surgery are to help you regain full range of motion and strength in your spine and to help you return to your previous lifestyle.
What kind of physical therapy can I do after a back discectomy?
One of your physical therapy goals after lumbar laminectomy and discectomy may be to improve the strength and stability of your low back muscles. This can improve the support that the muscular system of your back gives to your spine. One great exercise to help improve your low back strength is the prone straight leg raise (SLR) exercise.
When to start exercise after a lumbar discectomy?
You should start exercising as soon as you can, normally the day after surgery. Below are some exercises to get you started. We recommend you do each exercise 5 times three times a day. 1. Alternate knees to chest: Lying with your knees bent and your feet on the floor: Lift one knee towards your chest.
When to start an exercise program after a laminectomy?
You’ll probably start to feel better after a few weeks, but you’ll have activity restrictions for at least six weeks. Your doctor will probably talk with you about starting lower back exercises at home at your six-week follow-up appointment. Always check with your doctor about what activities are safe to do after your laminectomy or discectomy. 3