Lumbar
Laminectomy
Page
3 of 3
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Hospital
Recovery
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| Pain |
It
is normal to have pain after the operation, especially
in the lower back. This does not mean that the procedure
was unsuccessful or that your recovery will be slow.
Leg aching is also not unusual, caused by inflammation
of the previously compressed nerve. It will go away slowly
as the nerve heals. You may experience muscle spasms
across your back and even down your legs. Medication
will be given to control pain and relieve spasm. Moist
heat and frequent repositioning may also help. |
| Physical
Activity |
You
may move about in bed and rest in any comfortable position
when you have recovered from anesthesia. Walking may
begin within several hours. The easiest way for you to
get out of bed is to raise the head of the bed as far
as it will go, and then swing your legs to the floor.
Use the trapeze to change positions in bed. During the
first few trips from bed, you will require help from
a nurse to avoid falls or injury. |
| Hygiene |
Usually,
you may take a shower the day after surgery. This will
make you feel better and should be done with the dressing
left in place to protect the incision. Your nurse will
change the dressing afterwards. Lotion may then be massaged
into the lower back, including the area around the incision
to eliminate dryness and help relieve muscle spasm. |
| Nutrition |
Intravenous
(I.V.) fluids will be discontinued when you can tolerate
regular liquids without nausea or vomiting. Your diet
will then be adjusted back to normal as your appetite
returns. Constipation will be treated with laxatives
and a diet of whole grain cereals, fruits, and fruit
juices. |
| Emotional
Changes |
It
is normal to fee discouraged and tired for several days
after surgery. These feelings may be your body's natural
reaction to the cutback of extra hormones it put out
to handle the stress of surgery. Although emotional let-down
is not uncommon, it must not be allowed to get in the
way of the positive attitude essential to your recovery
and return to normal activity. |
| Discharge
from the Hospital |
The
hospital stay for lumbar laminectomy patients usually
lasts from 3 to 5 days. This will be determined by your
progress and by the amount of comfort and help available
to you at home. |
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| Home
Recovery |
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| Physical
Activity |
Daily
walking is the best exercise. Try to increase your
distance a little each day, setting a pace that avoids
fatigue or severe pain. You may climb stairs when
you feel able. Avoid sitting or standing for long periods
of time. Change positions frequently to help eliminate
lower back muscle spasms and leg aching.
Sexual
relations may be resumed during the recovery period,
but positions that strain the back or cause pain
should be avoided.
"Listen" to
your body. Discomfort is normal while you gradually
return to normal activity, but pain is a signal to
stop what you are doing and proceed more slowly. |
| Sleep |
During
the recovery period, it will help to take several short
rests throughout the day. If lying flat, place a small
pillow or rolled towel under the small of your back.
The best positions for resting are on one side with the
top leg bent up, or on your stomach. Waking up with a
stiff back is not uncommon and may be relieved by taking
a short walk or a warm shower. A firm mattress is important
for proper back support. |
| Working |
Your
doctor will help determine when you can return to work
and with what limitations. If your job requires lifting,
twisting, or bending, a work release may be given to
you during the first postoperative visit. |
| Driving |
Drive
a car only when you have recovered full coordination
and are experiencing minimal pain. Do not drive after
taking pain medication. |
| Medication |
You
should gradually use less pain medication while recovering
at home. This can be accomplished by increasing the amount
of time between taking pills, then by reducing the number
taken each time. A certain amount of discomfort and pain
in the lower back can be expected until the inflammation
and nerve sensitivity have subsided. Heat, exercise,
massage, and short rest periods will also help relieve
pain. |
| Physical
Fitness |
It
is important that you develop a general physical fitness
program. Being overweight or out of shape strains the
lower back and will delay recovery. Controlling weight
will help you develop a stronger and more flexible back.
Exercises must also be done every day to build up strength
and keep muscle tone. |
| Hygiene |
If
the skin sutures were removed before your discharge from
the hospital, it is not necessary to keep the incision
covered. Unless instructed otherwise, you may take a
daily shower or tub bath, which will help you feel better.
Let the water run over the incision, but do not scrub
or rub over it. Pat it dry. After bathing, massage lotion
over the tightened muscles of the lower back and buttocks. |
| Inflammation |
If
you notice increased redness, swelling, or any drainage
around the incision after leaving the hospital, notify
your doctor. |
| Nutrition |
A
well balanced diet is necessary for proper healing. Include
foods from each basic food group: dairy products, meats,
vegetables, and fruits. Since you will be less active
during recuperation, avoid rich, heavy foods and those
high in calories but low in nutrients. |
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| Healing
and Recovery |
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| Healing |
Healing is
the body's natural process of restoring its damaged tissues
to a normal or nearly normal state. Although healing
may be improved by general good health, proper nutrition,
rest, and physical fitness, it will occur without your
having to work at it. |
| Recovery |
Recovery is
the process during which you work to become well. It
requires a gradual but persistent effort to increase
physical strengths and minimize weaknesses. You must
concentrate on what is improving, rather than on what
symptoms remain. This focus on progress that has been
made, combined with the constant effort to improve, make
up the positive attitude that will speed your return
to normal daily activity. |
Making Sure You Understand
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Test
your knowledge of lumbar laminectomy by answering
the following questions.
- What
is the function of the intervertebral discs in
the spine?
- What
is meant by "nerve root compression"? What symptoms
can it cause?
- What
is a herniated disc? A bone spur? A disc fragment?
- What
happens to the empty space left between the vertebrae
after the disc material is removed?
- Why,
after surgery, is there still pain in the back
- sometimes even temporarily worse than before
surgery?
- What
will help relieve back pain besides medication?
- After
the operation, should you stop any activity that
causes discomfort?
- What
is the difference between healing and recovery?
How does a positive attitude affect each?
- Are
you comfortable with your understanding of the
risks of this procedure? Do you realize the part
human effort plays in its expected outcome?
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The
human body is an intricate network of interrelated
systems. Each system functions on its own but is
also influenced by and dependent upon the others.
When illness or injury occurs, it disrupts the function
of one or more of these systems.
Surgery
is a human effort made to correct one system's
malfunction, but it will affect all others. Because
of this complex interrelationship, surgical outcomes
cannot be predicted.
When
recovery is possible, it occurs as a combination
of the surgeon's effort, the patient's faith, and
a positive acceptance of the outcome. |
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Related
links:
Lumbar laminectomy
- page 1
Lumbar laminectomy
- page 2
Lumbar anatomy
Back FAQ's
Pre-surgery FAQ's |
