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EXERCISE & ACTIVITIES
After spinal surgery
your doctor and the medical team will carefully instruct
you regarding activities and precautions to aid your
recovery. The following grid serves as a guideline
to activities you may participate in post-operatively.
It is a GENERAL GUIDELINE. Final decisions will be
made by your doctor at the time of follow-up office
visits.
POST-OP ACTIVITY
SCHEDULE
|
Time
(Months)
|
| Activity |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
6 |
7 |
10 |
12 |
14 |
18 |
24 |
| Shower |
Y |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Driving |
Y |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| School/Work |
Y |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Walking |
Y |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Lifting
5-10 LBS |
Y |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Light
Upper Extremity Exercise |
Y |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Stationary
Bicycling |
N |
N |
N |
Y |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Swimming
- No Diving |
N |
N |
N |
Y |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Light
Jogging on Even Surface |
N |
N |
N |
N |
Y |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Non-Contact
Sports - No Competitive Play |
N |
N |
N |
N |
Y |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Shooting
Baskets |
N |
N |
N |
N |
Y |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Gentle
Tennis |
N |
N |
N |
N |
Y |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Volleying
Ball |
N |
N |
N |
N |
Y |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Competitive
Sports/ Contact Sports |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
Y/N |
| Skating
(Ice & Roller) |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
Y |
| Skiing
(Snow & Water) |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
Y |
| Bowling |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
Y |
Horseback
Riding
(No Jumps) |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
Y |
| Gymnastics |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
Y |
| Parachuting |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
Y |
| Motorcycling |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
Y |
| RollerCoasters |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
Y |
Please Note: This
is a general time schedule of when the patient can
return to normal activities. Each patient is different
so there may be some exceptions in this schedule.
Walking is EXCELLENT
exercise. Walking helps your cardiovascular system.
It also increases muscle strength and endurance. Your
physical therapist will instruct you specifically
on distance and frequency of walking. Be aware that
hip pain from the bone graft donor site (usually the
right iliac/hip area) is expected and will sometimes
cause more discomfort than that of the surgical site
itself. A wheeled walker will be used initially in
the hospital to improve your balance. By the time
you go home you will be walking independently with
or without the aid of an assistive device.
ROM (range of motion)
exercises performed by your therapist in the hospital
should be continued at home for the lst three months
after surgery.
Your physical therapist
will practice stairs with you before you go home.
You should use a handrail when possible. Never use
a walker on the stairs. Your therapist may have special
instructions for you depending on your home environment
and physical abilities.
Getting in and out
of the car
The car should be mid-size
or larger. DO NOT attempt to get into the back seat
of a compact car (2 doors). The patient should sit
in the front passenger seat as far back as possible
and slightly reclined if possible.
To enter car
Walk up to passenger
door, turn and back up until you feel the car behind
your legs. Reach back and place your left hand on
the dashboard and place your right hand on the back
of the front seat. Bend your legs and gently sit down.
Scoot hips back and slowly turn your body so your
legs are now inside the car.
To exit the car
Gently turn your body
while placing legs outside car. Scoot forward until
your feet are on the ground. Push up to a standing
position by placing your arms on the dashboard and
back of the seat.
Driving is generally
permitted 4-6 weeks after surgery.
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