Back surgery recovery can be daunting. Depending on the type of back surgery you choose, your recovery period could be between a few months to a year before you are able to return to normal activity. Understanding what to expect after spine surgery can help you navigate your recovery period with realistic expectations.

Before your procedure, be sure to discuss your recovery goals with your surgeon like wanting to get back on the golf course or out in your garden. Your surgeon should know these things so he or she can design personalized recovery guidelines to help you heal after surgery. The most important thing to remember is that everyone recovers at a pace unique to them, so you must listen to your body throughout your recuperation. Read on to learn about what to keep in mind after undergoing degenerative spine surgery.

Factors to remember during degenerative spine surgery recovery

It is extremely important before you undergo a spine operation to learn as many details as possible about what to expect during the back surgery recovery process. Talk to your doctor about goals and expectations, and be sure to have a plan in place that will allow you to progress through your recovery period at your own pace. Life’s realities will almost certainly interfere at times, which is why you must stay mentally prepared to adjust your rehabilitation schedule if necessary.

Understand, too, that any changes in symptoms during rehabilitation, for better or worse, should be reported to your doctor and/or physical therapist. This is particularly important if the symptoms you experience are similar or identical to the symptoms you experienced before the operation. This could be a sign of failed back surgery syndrome and needs to be addressed by a medical professional.

Understanding failed back surgery syndrome

If at any point during your period of back surgery recovery you experience symptoms that worsen from day to day, ask your doctor about the possibility of failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS). While it can be extremely discouraging to realize that surgery did not provide the relief it should have, the only way to get past the disappointment is to have a realistic approach to handling the symptoms going forward.

If you are suffering from failed back surgery syndrome, there are treatment options available, including the minimally invasive stabilization surgery at USA Spine Care, which is a safer and effective alternative to traditional open neck or back surgery.^ Contact our team today to learn more about our minimally invasive spine surgery and to see if you qualify for one of our outpatient procedures.

USA Spine Care is the leader in minimally invasive spine surgery and has helped more than 75,000 patients find relief from chronic neck or back pain. To find out if you are a candidate for our procedures, reach out to our dedicated team today and ask for a no-cost MRI review.* We are here to help you get back to the activities you have been missing out on.

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