How is rehabilitation after removal of a hernia of the spine

Rehabilitation after removal of a hernia of the lumbar spine is not an easy process, often taking quite a lot of time. Moreover, if the measures are performed incorrectly, the consequences of the surgical operation can make themselves felt throughout the patient's subsequent life.

With a hernia in the lumbar spine, it is recommended to start rehabilitation measures as early as possible. If the patient does everything right, then he will quickly get on his feet, and again feel like a full-fledged person.

How to conduct rehabilitation? What are the main restrictions imposed on the patient by this process, and what are its rules? How to quickly return your body to the mobility of the operation?

You can find information on how rehabilitation is carried out after hernia removal in the Czech Republic on the Artusmed .

The main tasks of rehabilitation

Many people mistakenly believe that surgical treatment of hernial protrusions is an easy way to quickly and easily solve the problem of the disease. However, few patients understand that therapy does not end with a simple surgical intervention, and that it is followed by a long, often not very simple recovery period.

Of course, surgery helps to quickly solve the underlying problem. However, most patients suffer from a variety of unpleasant symptoms for quite a long time, which remind that the disease was stopped not so long ago. The reason for this lies in the inflammatory reaction, which does not subside immediately, and also in the fact that the nerve fibers are very irritated and, accordingly, react very brightly to any irritation.

The main task of rehabilitation after removal of the lumbar intervertebral hernia is to reduce the inflammatory process and the sensitivity of nerve fibers.

Additionally, the following important tasks are performed:

• the patient is restored to the ability to perform basic tasks necessary to serve himself;
• stabilize the general condition and prevent postoperative complications that any patient may encounter;
• correct the work of the spine, trying to make it as normal as possible so that the patient can lead a normal life;
• try to eliminate restrictions on physical activity, which contributes to the return to the usual rhythm;
• they stop the pain syndrome and, if any, neurological symptoms, which can cause many problems in the future.

A sick leave can be issued to a patient for a fairly long period (up to six months). For successful rehabilitation, medicines, swimming, physiotherapy, physiotherapy exercises and other methods are used.

Basic rules and process steps

In order for rehabilitation not to bring new complications, it is necessary to be familiar with the basic rules for its implementation, as well as with the steps that help not to overload the spinal column.

There are two main principles in order not to worsen the patient's condition after an intervertebral hernia:

1. It is necessary to use an individual approach . This means that all selected methods should solve the problems of a particular patient.
2. Regular monitoring of the patient's well-being by a doctor is necessary . It is best if the doctor who performed the operation itself takes part in the process.

There are many factors to consider during the rehabilitation process. So, for example, the method of intervention, the presence of chronic pathologies in the patient, and other diseases of the spinal column are taken into account.

To make the recovery period as simple and atraumatic as possible, it is carried out in several stages:

1. First 14 days. During this period, the main efforts of doctors should be aimed at eliminating pain. Additionally, it is recommended to morally support the person who survived the operation. At the same time, light exercise therapy begins in order to quickly restore the patient's activity.
2. Within two months after the intervention, the patient is actively prepared for normal life. At this time, exercise therapy, swimming are allowed, but twisting, strong loads and stretching of the spinal column are prohibited.
3. Three months later, the person is almost completely returned to normal life. During this period, exercise therapy is recommended to strengthen the back muscles. Also carry out active prevention of intervertebral hernia.

During the recovery period, which can take from three months to six months, the patient will have to comply with the restrictions recommended by the doctor. So, for example, it will not be possible to take a sitting position for quite a long time. This will remove the main load from the spinal column.

Important restrictions

During the rehabilitation period, the doctor imposes a number of serious restrictions on the patient's life.

So, for example, in the first three months it is strictly forbidden:

• undertake any physical activity without a special corset;
• attend massage or manual therapy sessions, as they can adversely affect the postoperative wound;
• play active sports games or ride a bike;
• make any sudden movements in the spinal column.

After the first three months without relapses and complications, some of the restrictions are removed.

However, despite this, over the next year, the patient is prohibited from:

• stays in any vehicles for a long time;
• start any physical activity, including gymnastics, without a preliminary warm-up;
• expose the body to cold air or drafts;
• wear a corset for a long time;
• lift any loads exceeding the weight mark of 8 kg;
• to be without any movement for a long time.

The most important thing to remember is that the back must be protected from exposure to cold and excessive stress. If the patient does not follow the recommendations, no doctor can guarantee a quality recovery process.

Physiotherapy is an important stage of recovery

Physiotherapy helps to eliminate unpleasant postoperative effects. With it, you can speed up the process of restoring the body, quickly return the patient to their usual life.

Use:

• clay wraps that help relieve inflammation and pain;
• electrical stimulation, which promotes regeneration processes in tissues that were previously clamped by a defect, improves all metabolic processes in the body;
• ultrasound treatment, due to which regeneration is accelerated, metabolic processes are improved;
• magnetic therapy, which reduces the risk of complications, improves the mobility of all bone joints;
• high-frequency therapy, which stimulates the muscles, preventing them from losing their tone, and also relieves inflammation and pain;
• iontophoresis, which promotes the flow of drugs into the affected area;
• Phonophoresis, through which medicinal substances are introduced into the body with the help of ultrasound.

Naturally, the choice of the optimal method of physiotherapy always remains with the doctor. The specialist must take into account all possible consequences, correlate the degree of risk and benefit, and, based on this, choose the best options.

Exercises for the early period

In the early rehabilitation period, when active exercise therapy or swimming is still prohibited, the patient is recommended simple exercises that are performed right on the hospital bed.

Even simple exercises can be started only after the approval of the doctor has been received.

1. The patient lies on his back. He needs to bend his legs at the knee joints and stretch his arms along the body. After that, you need to slightly raise the pelvic region above the bed, freezing for a short time.
2. Fold your arms over your chest, and leave your legs in the same position. Slightly lift the upper part of the body, stopping for a few seconds, and then slowly return to its original position.
3. Gently, without making sudden movements, pull the legs bent at the knees to the chest. In this case, you need to strain the gluteal muscles. Then also slowly return to the starting position.

These simple exercises, if approved by a specialist, will help the patient return to their motor activity more quickly. Naturally, each exercise should be performed without significant effort. Pain during execution is not allowed.

If there are complaints of pain or severe discomfort, the exercise should be interrupted.

Exercise therapy for the late period

Recovery after hernia removal in the late period allows for more complex exercises.

First of all, it is recommended:

• correctly perform push-ups, making sure that the back is as straight as possible (you cannot perform this exercise until you are worn out, a maximum of 15 one-time repetitions is allowed);
• a simple and well-known "bicycle" (you can twist your legs both forward and backward alternately, and the number of twists is gradually increased to 100 in each direction);
• doing squats (deep squats should not be done, just imagine that a person is sitting on a bench of medium height or a low chair).

The amplitude of all exercises should initially be small, but over time, if no problems are identified, it can be safely increased. The situation is similar with the number of repetitions of each exercise. Any load should increase gradually.

Even if it seems to the patient that he can easily cope with this or that exercise, it is not allowed to perform it immediately in large volumes, so as not to harm his health.

Recovery after surgery for a hernial protrusion in the lumbar spine is not an easy task. The patient must during this period show maximum attention to his health, if he wants to return to a full life. You will have to carefully follow all the recommendations of the doctor.