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Recovering from Spinal Stenosis Surgery

Spinal stenosis surgery recovery varies between individuals and depends on a whole host of factors. Recovery can take anywhere from a few days to months and even a year or more depending on the progression of spinal stenosis prior to surgery and the long-term damage caused by compression in the spine. Other factors include the success of the procedure itself and the general health of the patient. Most patients experience some pain and discomfort in the first few days after surgery with this abating quite quickly in those who have undergone a minimally invasive spinal procedure. Open back surgery involves substantial trauma in many cases and the bruising to the muscles and tissue, as well as the inflammation, can take weeks or months to fully heal.

Improving Recovery from Spinal Stenosis Surgery

Spinal fusion procedures require careful management during the months after surgery in order to facilitate the healthy growth of bone to stabilize the spine. Patients are warned not to smoke during this time as this can compromise the growth of new bone as well as the general health of a patient. Specific advice on activities to avoid during spinal stenosis surgery recovery will also be given as certain types of exercises or stretches may jolt the back and potentially cause hardware to move out of place. It is possible that donor bone may be rejected by the immune system and so some patients are given immunosuppressant drugs during recovery from spinal stenosis surgery. In rare cases the patient may require reoperation to remove grafted material or to correct or replace malfunctioning hardware.

Failed Back Surgery Syndrome

Some patients undergoing surgery for spinal stenosis will, unfortunately, be disappointed with the outcome in terms of improved mobility, reduced pain, and so forth. The causes of failed back surgery syndrome are various and complicated, often leaving patients in a quandary as to their next step in treating their symptoms. Following guidelines given for pre-operative healthcare and lifestyle changes and post-operative activities is the best way to reduce complications after a procedure and optimise spinal stenosis surgery recovery.

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