Bed Mobility Techniques for Post Lower-Back Surgery

Daily activities are significantly impacted by lower back pain. In some cases, surgery is required to address underlying causes of lower back pain. After surgery, your spine must be protected to allow your bones to heal without complications. Specific techniques are used for bed mobility to protect your back as you move in and out of your bed.

Overview

• The bones in your lower back make up the lumbar spine. Five bones are stacked on top of each other. After surgery, the goal is to keep these bones in line as you move. Bed mobility -- rolling and moving from sitting to lying down, and back -- typically causes these bones to rotate and bend forward and backward. Specific techniques must be used for a specific amount of time -- as directed by your doctor -- after surgery.

Sitting to Lying Down

• Protect your lower back as you lie down from sitting on the edge of your bed. Sit close to the head of your bed and scoot back until the edge of the bed is touching the back of your knees. From a seated position with both knees bent, slowly lower yourself down onto the elbow facing the head of your bed. Move your body as a unit, lowering your upper body toward the bed as you lift your legs together onto the bed. If this puts too much strain on your back, have another person support some of the weight of your legs as you move. Once your legs are on the bed, slowly roll onto your back -- keeping your body stiff.

Log Rolling

• Log rolling is the foundation for safe bed mobility after lower back surgery. Lying on your back, bend your knees one at a time, then place your feet flat on the bed. Slowly roll your body to one side, moving your upper body at the same time as your lower body -- like a log rolling in water. Place a pillow between your knees to further reduce strain on your lower back before you log roll.

Lying Down to Sitting

• Use the log-rolling technique to sit up from a lying position. Slowly bend your knees and place your feet flat on the bed. Bend your elbow and place your hand next to your shoulder on the side you will rotate toward. Rotate your upper and lower body together toward the side of the bed you will exit. Keep your shoulders in line with your knees. Drop your heels over the edge of the bed. Press down with your hand, and lift your upper body toward an upright position. At the same time, slowly lower your legs toward the floor until you are in a seated position.