When planning a major medical procedure, you want to set yourself up for success. Prehab for spine surgery is an opportunity to build strength and support to ensure an easy recovery.
NU-Spine: The Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Institute is a state-of-the-art pain center with locations near you in New Jersey, Florida, and Pennsylvania. Learn more about what prehab is, what it entails, and what types of exercises can help you prepare for common spine procedures.
Key Takeaways
- Spine surgery prehab involves performing stretches, exercises, and functional movement practices to proactively prepare for spine surgery.
- Most prehab routines start six weeks before surgery and involve a combination of guided sessions and at-home exercises.
- Starting with prehab can improve patients’ strength, reduce post-surgical pain, support mobility, and minimize the risk of complications during recovery.
What Is Prehab for Spine Surgery?
Prehab for spine surgery is a physical exercise program before a procedure. Spine surgery is a major medical procedure that can be demanding on the body. By taking steps to prepare, patients set themselves up for an easier surgery and recovery. Prehab offers numerous benefits. By being proactive about preparing for treatment, patients can:
- Improve strength and flexibility
- Take pressure off the spine
- Empower the body’s healing process
- Reduce pain medication reliance
- Avoid complications during recovery
Prehab can look and feel a lot like rehabilitative physical therapy. While both programs use exercises to improve recovery, they take slightly different approaches. Rehabilitative physical therapy focuses on rebuilding strength and mobility after surgery, helping patients get back to normal activities, and reducing the risk of reinjury. Prehab, meanwhile, focuses on laying the groundwork for an easy recovery.
When Should You Start Prehab?
Effective prehab typically begins about six weeks before surgery. The program begins with a thorough assessment to determine the patient’s ability level, limitations, and needs. The assessment is followed by regular sessions with a physical therapist. Sessions take place on a weekly basis. At a session, the physical therapist demonstrates exercises, guides patients through the correct movements, and makes adjustments to the program as the patient’s ability improves.
Patients are expected to continue the exercises at home between sessions. Their physical therapist will provide instructions for how often to exercise at home. Following these instructions is important to maximize the benefits and avoid injury. The frequency of home exercises may increase as the patient gets closer to surgery to reflect their improving abilities.
Prehab Exercises by Procedure
A prehab program features a combination of strength training and stretches to improve support around the surgery area. It also includes functional movement exercises for getting out of bed, rising from a chair, or picking up items without bending the back. Functional movement practice helps patients maintain agency while preventing new damage during recovery.
Cervical Spine Surgery
Cervical spine surgery treats a variety of conditions in the neck. Appropriately, cervical surgery prehab focuses on improving strength and support in the neck and shoulders. Exercises that may apply include:
- Chin tucks
- Neck traction
- Cat-cow (alternating between arching the back (cow) and rounding the spine (cat) to improve flexibility)
- Nerve gliders (gentle dynamic movements to aid mobility)
Lumbar Microdiscectomy and Laminectomy
Lumbar surgeries treat issues in the lower back. Microdiscectomy and laminectomy are lighter procedures, but they can still benefit from prehabilitation to set up for an easy recovery. Lumbar spinal fusion and disc replacement, meanwhile, are major procedures that are associated with lengthy recoveries and changes in mobility. Exercises to help patients get ready include:
- Ankle pumps
- Quad sets
- Heel raises
- Hip abductions
- Prone hip extensions
- Sit-to-stand practice
Posture and Core Stability
No matter what type of surgery is planned, balance and core strength are valuable. These abilities will help patients perform everyday tasks without straining the surgery site. Core stability also takes stress off the back to reduce pain and speed up recovery. Posture and core exercises include:
- Curl-ups
- Side planks
- Hip flexor stretches
- Bridges
- Chest openers
- High planks
Find Expert Spine Surgery Near You in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Florida
With the guidance of a licensed physical therapist, prehab can help patients get an easy recovery with few complications. Transform your life today with a touch of care at NU-Spine: The Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Institute. Experience the cutting edge in minimally invasive spine treatments at our locations near you in New Jersey, Florida, and Pennsylvania. To learn more about spine surgeries and how we prepare patients for treatment, contact us today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Spine Surgery Prehab
What is prehab before spine surgery, and how is it different from regular physical therapy?
Prehab before spine surgery is an exercise program to build strength before a major medical procedure. Regular physical therapy, on the other hand, focuses on speeding up recovery after treatment.
Why does prehab matter for spine surgery outcomes and recovery time?
Prehab can improve spine surgery outcomes by strengthening the body and helping to prevent complications. It also allows for a shorter, smoother recovery, letting patients get back to normal activities sooner.
When should I start prehab before my spine surgery, and how long should it last?
Prehab usually starts about six weeks before spine surgery. It lasts up until the surgery itself, after which the patient will rest before transitioning into post-operative physical therapy.
How hard should I push during prehab, and how much pain is acceptable?
Don’t push your body too hard during prehab. While mild pain is normal, avoid exercises that cause severe pain at the surgery site.
How does NU-Spine coordinate prehab with my surgical plan?
NU-Spine works closely with your physical therapist to coordinate prehab, surgery, and rehabilitation.