Rehabilitation After Spine Surgery in Daisy Hill, North Lakes & Eight Mile Plains

Rehabilitation is the process of getting you back into your normal pattern of activities after surgery.

Surgery is an event that happens on a particular day at a particular hospital. But rehabilitation is a process that may take many weeks or months as you strengthen those parts of your body affected by the operation.

Rehab usually starts as soon as possible after your operation, usually before you leave the hospital. Some types of rehab continue during an extended hospital stay. Usually, though, your rehab happens through an outpatient clinic or by seeing a physiotherapist of your choice in private practice.

When can Rehabilitation After Spine Surgery Help?

Rehabilitation helps after any surgery or significant health event. It’s used after cardiac surgery to improve breathing and stamina, after a stroke to improve the ability to complete everyday tasks and after musculoskeletal surgery to help strengthen the affected area.

Rehabilitation may help after:

Knee replacement surgery

Within 4-8 hours of your surgery, hospital physios may encourage you to start moving. Once you’re home, your knee rehab continues, often involving exercises like pedalling a stationary bike, knee extensions and heel-to-toe walking exercises, progressing to more challenging exercises as directed by your physiotherapist.

ACL repair or reconstruction surgery

The anterior cruciate ligament is a strong band of tissue that connects the thigh bone to the shinbone at the knee. It can be torn during sports like basketball, skiing or soccer where your knee may have to twist at speed.

Rehab after ACL surgery starts small, with simple exercises like bending and straightening your knee and regaining strength in your quads and hamstrings.

Once you’re off crutches and have regained full range of motion, your physiotherapist may recommend more intense exercises like:

Squats
Calf and hamstring stretches
Standing on one leg.

As time goes on, you may be encouraged to return to activities like swimming, cycling and jogging, as directed by your physio. As your fitness improves, rehab focuses on helping you return to your chosen sport.

Hip replacement surgery

Rehab after hip replacement surgery starts in your hospital bed with small exercises like ankle rotations, knee bends, butt clenches and moving your legs from side to side.

Then we move on to a program of exercises to be done while standing or walking, eventually progressing to going up and down stairs.

It can take several months to improve your hip mobility, muscle strength and endurance. Be patient with yourself and diligent in doing your exercises. You’ll get there.

Spinal surgery

Spinal surgery alone is only half of the equation. There is a recovery period in the hospital, followed by months of rehabilitation. Taking steps to support your recovery is essential otherwise you might find yourself feeling disheartened that you’re still in pain months later.

In order to get the best results, you can expect to work with your physiotherapist on your rehabilitation for at least 6 to 10 weeks.

A rehabilitation program will usually involve:

Focusing on your muscles and movement with a personalised treatment program to build your muscle strength and help you regain a better range of movement. You don’t want to undo all the good work by overdoing it!
Address the underlying causes of pain. Factors like weight, posture, and biomechanics may be contributing to discomfort – these are all things your physiotherapist can help with.
Answering your questions. With a wealth of experience in this area, our team are happy to answer your questions throughout your recovery.

Rehabilitation After Spine Surgery at The Brisbane Spine Clinic

At The Brisbane Spine Clinic, we love helping you get back on your feet and be able to live the active life you enjoy.

If you’ve suffered a musculoskeletal injury or condition that requires surgery, we’re here to help you prepare for the operation and recover as fully as possible afterwards. We support you through each step of that journey (sometimes literally!) with tailored exercises to improve your strength, mobility and stamina.

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