How to Recover From Back Surgery With a Stenosis Rod

Spinal stenosis describes the narrowing of the spinal canal and additional pressure placed on the spinal cord. Stenosis can occur anywhere on the spine, but most often affects the lower or the upper part of the spinal cord. Dr. Steven Garfin, professor and chair of orthopaedics at UCLA reports that though you can be born with this disorder, typically people over the age of 50 are diagnosed with spinal stenosis from aging and normal wear and tear. Surgery, reserved for severe cases, widens the spinal canal and in some cases uses a rod to support unstable portions of the spine.

Things You'll Need

• Hot compress

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Instructions

• 1

  Take oral pain medications. In most cases, you will be released from the hospital the day following your surgery. Your doctor will prescribe a pain medication---an important part of the healing process. The medication is used to treat pain from your surgical wound, moving and cutting muscles, and operating on your spine. The rod in your back does not cause pain and you will never even be aware of its existence.

• 2

  See an occupational therapist before leaving the hospital so you can find out what activities you should avoid and what, if any, exercises you should be doing. Depending on the severity of your condition, your therapist may not release you from the hospital until you can demonstrate that you are able to get out of bed, remain stable on your feet, dress and go up and down at least a few stairs.

• 3

  Use a warm compress or take hot showers to ease pain. You may feel tightness in your shoulders and surrounding your spine several weeks to months following surgery. Heat can help relax muscles.

• 4

  Begin physical therapy about one month after surgery when your incision has healed. Exercise will improve your endurance, improve your range of motion and mobility, increase strength and build muscle in your abdomen, which takes pressure off of your spine.