“What happens if you don't do physical therapy after spine surgery?”
I am a 48 year old male. I want to know what happens if you don't do physical therapy after spine surgery?
9 Answers
Physical therapy would be helpful after spine surgery, but if for any reason you are not able to do the therapy, you can ask your surgeon for instructions on doing a home exercise program.
Typically your recovery may be slightly slower. As a 48 year old male you should be able to exercise and rehab on your own successfully. A physical therapist is usually there to assist and guide your recovery efforts
Physical therapy isn’t always required after spine surgery. Most patients can do certain exercises on their own. The patients who most benefit from physical therapy after spine surgery are those patients who had weakness or some other functional limitation prior to the operation. Rehab services in this case can be helpful.
You will significantly impact your recovery time and your recovery in general and probably will not have a good result after your surgery.
Physical therapy helps to strengthen the muscles which support the back. Without therapy, the spinal muscles will continue to be weak, and the back remains painful.
I know PT is a pain and it is expensive. The main thing is to let the spine heal, especially if it is a fusion. After 8 -12 weeks, it is time to get the spine muscles strong again. If you are motivated you could do it at home. However, most people are just not tough enough to do it alone, so go for a few sessions at least and learn what you need to do at home. Then do the exercises every day at home.
Hope it helps!!
Dr. Bose
Hope it helps!!
Dr. Bose
It is important to do therapy following back surgery to protect the spine. Often the CORE and para spinal muscles are weak both before and after surgery and if not strengthened reinjury is more likely. Aerobic exercises get oxygen to the tissues and aid healing. So if structured with a therapist or on your own doing this regularly will aid in your recovery. Good luck.
Depends on whether or not you have weakness or difficulty ambulating or not. If so you really need it.
Just a longer recovery.
