Functional Rehabilitation for Faster Spinal Surgery Recovery

Rehabilitation after spinal surgery is essential to ensure complete recovery, alleviate pain, and restore function. The surgery alone may provide initial relief, but proper rehabilitation is key to returning to normal activity and preventing future complications. It involves physical therapy, exercises, and techniques to help the spine regain stability and strength.

Here’s an overview of the rehabilitation process and the exercises commonly used:

Goals of Physical Therapy

The main goals of physical therapy after back surgery are to:

• Manage pain and reduce inflammation.
• Minimize muscle spasms.
• Strengthen the muscles that stabilize and support the back.
• Restore the range of motion and function, enabling a return to normal activities.

Initial Exercise Program

It’s important to maintain the spine in a neutral position to protect the low back while stabilizing with abdominal muscles. The following exercises are typically recommended:

• Stationary Bike: 20-30 minutes to improve aerobic endurance.
• Treadmill Walking: 20-30 minutes with a steady pace.

Early Exercises

• Ankle Pumps: Lie on your back and move ankles up and down. Repeat 10 times.
• Heel Slides: Bend and straighten one knee at a time while lying on your back. Repeat 10 times.
• Abdominal Contraction: Tighten abdominal muscles, pushing ribs down toward the back. Hold for 5 seconds, then relax. Repeat 10 times.
• Wall Squats: Stand against a wall and bend knees to 45°, hold for 5 seconds, then return to an upright position. Repeat 10 times.
• Heel Raises: Stand and raise heels off the ground. Hold for 5 seconds, then lower. Repeat 10 times.
• Straight Leg Raises: Lift one leg up while keeping the other bent. Hold for 1-5 seconds, lower, and repeat 10 times.

Intermediate Exercise Program

• Single Knee to Chest Stretch: Hold the thigh behind the knee and bring one knee up to the chest. Hold for 20 seconds, then relax. Repeat 5 times on each side.
• Hamstring Stretch: Hold one thigh behind the knee and straighten the knee to feel a stretch. Hold for 20 seconds, relax, and repeat 5 times.

Advanced Exercise Program (Under Therapist’s Guidance)

• Hip Flexor Stretch: Lie on your back and lower one leg down while holding the other to your chest. Hold for 20 seconds, then relax. Repeat 5 times.
• Piriformis Stretch: Cross one leg over the other and pull the opposite knee to your chest. Hold for 20 seconds, relax, and repeat 5 times.
• Lumbar Stabilization with Swiss Ball: These exercises help with core strength and spinal stability. Perform exercises like arm and leg raises or walking the ball forward and backward, keeping the core engaged.

Kettlebell Exercises for Glutes

• Single Leg Deadlift: Stand on one leg, bend at the hips, and lower the kettlebell towards the floor. Return to standing by pushing through the heel. Switch legs halfway through.
• Kettlebell Swings: Perform swings to target glutes, hamstrings, and lower back, improving cardiovascular endurance.

Core and Balance Exercises

• Plank: Hold a plank position, maintaining a straight line from head to heels. Hold for 10 seconds and repeat.
• BOSU Ball Exercises: Use the BOSU ball to engage the core and improve balance.
• Stepper Exercises: Use a stepper for exercises like "Stepper Up Downs" to improve coordination and strength.

Functional Rehabilitation and Agility Training

• Agility Drills: These drills improve lower body strength, balance, and mobility. They include:
• Side Shuffle: A lateral movement drill where you shuffle between cones.
• Stand Up to Figure 8: A drill involving getting up from a chair and weaving around cones in a figure-eight pattern.
• Agility Ladder Drills: Exercises like lateral sidesteps, two-in-one linear runs, and two-in lateral forward shuffles to enhance agility.

Neurocognitive Training

Cognitive training exercises are designed to improve the connection between the mind and body, essential for safe and effective movement post-surgery.

Conclusion

Post-spinal surgery rehabilitation focuses on restoring function, managing pain, and preventing future issues. It’s important to work closely with a physiotherapist to ensure the correct exercises and guidelines are followed. Regular exercise and a gradual return to daily activities are crucial for long-term recovery.