After your spinal surgery

Most patients return home the day after spinal surgery, although others may stay for another day or two. When you return home depends on the type of surgery you had and your initial recovery.

Pain relief

It is normal to feel some pain after surgery, however this should not stop you moving around and getting out of bed.

After your surgery it is important to make sure your pain is well controlled with medications as required. Managing your pain allows you to get moving quicker which in turn promotes healing.

If you feel unable to move around because of pain speak with your nurse about taking additional pain relief.

Physiotherapy and occupational therapy review

In most cases you will be reviewed by a physiotherapist and occupational therapist the day after your surgery.

Your physiotherapist will:

• teach you the best way to get in and out of bed
• assess your mobility in preparation for going home
• provide a home exercise program.

Your occupational therapist will:

• ask about your home environment, daily tasks and work
• provide advice and practical strategies to manage your daily activities safely after surgery
• provide you with aids or equipment to assist you at home if you need this.

Healing times

The main aim of surgery is to improve leg or arm pain (depending on whether you had back or neck surgery) and related symptoms such as weakness. Sometimes these symptoms do not improve immediately after surgery, however, the aching/soreness around the wound site should improve over the first one to two weeks.

Pins and needles, tingling and/or numbness in the leg(s) or arm(s) caused by nerve compression can continue to improve for up to 18 months after your surgery. If these symptoms have been present for a long time, however, they may not resolve completely but usually do not impact your function.

Healing times will vary. Generally soft tissue healing times can be between 4 and 6 weeks (tissue strength will be at 60 to 80 per cent at this stage). By 12 weeks the affected tissue should have regained 100 per cent of its strength.

If you have concerns about your wound after you leave hospital, contact your family doctor.

Supporting your recovery through exercise

Read about exercises that can support your recovery from spinal surgery..

More information

Learn more about understanding spinal surgery care.

Contact us

Fiona Stanley Hospital patients are asked to phone the Fiona Stanley Hospital Helpdesk on 6152 2222 and ask to speak with someone from their treating team.