Resuming activities after spinal surgery

The following advice will support your recovery after spinal surgery as you resume daily living activities including self-care, exercise, driving and returning to work.

To make the best recovery you need to:

  • look after your spine during the post-operative period
  • strengthen the muscles that support your spine
  • regain your spinal mobility
  • improve your overall mobility, fitness and conditioning

If you have any concerns or need more information, speak with your treating team.

Moving safely

Following your surgery, your spine is stable and your surgeon will recommend you move as is comfortable for you.

For 6 to 8 weeks following lower back or neck surgery, avoid heavy lifting and activities that require repetitive bending and twisting, such as:

  • vacuuming
  • sweeping
  • gardening
  • playing golf.

If you get sudden, severe pain in your legs or arms, stop what you are doing, take pain relief and rest until the pain settles. If the pain does not settle by the following day please should contact your family doctor for advice.

Lying in bed

You can lie flat on your back or side, whichever is more comfortable.

If you had neck surgery, try not to have your backrest up too high in bed or sleep on multiple pillows above a 30 degree angle for long periods in the earlier stages after your surgery – this puts extra stress on your neck and your surgery site.

Rolling in bed

When rolling in bed from your back to your side in the early stages after your surgery, try to keep your spine straight by ‘log rolling’. This helps avoid pain from twisting your spine and stretching muscles that have been cut during your surgery.

To log roll:

  1. Start with your back straight and in line with your hips and knees.
  2. Bend your knees and keep them together as you roll to the side.
  3. Remain relaxed and remember to keep breathing as you move.

Getting in and out of bed

  • Log roll from your back to your side – see instructions above.
  • Using your elbow and hand, push up from the bed and allow your legs to drop off the side of the bed towards the floor. Remain relaxed and keep breathing as you move.

A woman lies in bed on her side, with her back straight and knees bent. A woman laying on her side uses her elbow and hand to push up on a bed and allows her legs to drop off the side of the bed.

You should start completing basic exercises straight away after your spinal surgery, even if this causes some mild discomfort.

See how to do some common exercises.

While in the hospital, you are encouraged to sit out of bed in a chair after your surgery for 20 to 30 minutes at a time. Both in the hospital and after your go home, change your position and get up and move around regularly to help maintain your comfort.

Good sitting posture

There is no one 'correct’ sitting posture – a good sitting posture is one that is most comfortable for you.

In the early stages after surgery, people are often most comfortable in a chair with a firm seat at a height that allows your feet to be well supported on the floor and keeps your hips and knees at a 90-degree angle.

Sit back in the chair so that your spine is well supported by the backrest.

A woman sits in a chair with a high back. Her feet are on the floor and her hips and keens at a ninety-degree angle.

Avoid heavy lifting in the early stages after your spinal surgery. The exact weight limit and time frame will depend on what type of surgery you have had and your general fitness prior to surgery.

Your surgeon or physiotherapist will advise you what is appropriate for your individual circumstances. As a general rule, in the first 2 weeks after surgery, do not lift anything heavier than 1 – 2 kg in weight.

In the following weeks you can gradually increase the weight you lift. For example, begin by lifting a cup of tea, then an empty kettle, then a full kettle, progressing to heavier items such as lifting a basket of laundry.

Balance any loads you carry, such as carrying 2 smaller shopping bags, one in each hand.

There is no one ‘correct’ way to lift or pick an object off of the floor, however the following tips may make lifting more comfortable.:

  1. Bend your knees use your legs to lift, not your back.
  2. Keep the object you are lifting close to your body (elbows by your side).
  3. Move by stepping your feet rather than twisting on the spot.

A woman demonstrates how to lift an item from the floor safely after back surgery in three photos. The woman bends with her knees to lift an item on the floor. The woman then returns to a standing position with elbows at her side and the item close to her body. The women then moves her body by stepping her feet, not twisting.

Showering

You will usually be able to shower independently before leaving hospital.

If your balance is impaired or to save energy, you may find it helpful to sit on a shower chair or stool when showering. Your occupational therapist will assess your equipment needs with you after your surgery.

Long handled sponges can help with washing the lower body.

Do not go in a bath, pool or ocean for 3 weeks after surgery or until your wound has healed as your wound cannot be kept underwater until it is fully healed.

Dressing

Place your towels and clothes nearby.

Consider sitting down when dressing your lower body, such as putting on underwear and pants, rather than standing the entire time. Bring these clothes as high up past your knees as you can and then shift your weight side to side or stand to pull them up.

If it is uncomfortable to bend forward when putting shoes on, try bringing your foot up instead. A footstool or long-handled dressing aids can be useful.

Shopping and preparing meals

Rather than drive yourself to do your shopping in the first few weeks after surgery, consider:

  • asking family and friends for help
  • ordering online using ‘click and collect’ or home delivery
  • eating ready-made meals.

Keep kitchen equipment you use often on benches or the middle levels of your pantry and fridge.

Instead of lifting heavy items, slide them along the counter or use a tray or trolley.

Housecleaning and gardening

For the first 4 to 6 weeks after your surgery avoid heavy housecleaning and gardening that involves repeated or long periods of bending, twisting or lifting.

You may be comfortable doing light housework after a couple of weeks. When you do start these activities, pace your work by doing little tasks and spreading the work out over several hours or a couple of days.

Your physiotherapist will be able to provide further advice specific to your individual circumstances.

When getting into the car, sit down first and then swing your legs in. To get out, swing your legs out first prior to standing up.

If you have to travel a long distance in a car when you are first discharged from hospital, break up the journey by stopping every 30 minutes to stretch and walk around.

Driving

Most patients return to driving when their pain has eased and they have adequate movement in their neck and back to ensure safe driving. Remember that pain medications can slow down your reaction time. Before returning to driving:

  • talk with your GP and insurance provider
  • make sure you can comfortably look over both shoulders and make an emergency stop without hesitating.

How much time you take off work depends on your job and the tasks you need to perform on a daily basis.

Returning to work as soon as possible after surgery can support your recovery. Talk with your employer about the possibility of a gradual return to work or light duties, especially if your job normally requires heavy physical work and/or sitting for long periods.

Before you leave hospital, you will be given a medical certificate, so make sure you speak with your doctor about your specific requirements.

Returning to normal activity levels as soon as possible after surgery helps you achieve the best outcomes, but there will be some restrictions on when you can resume some sports and hobbies.

Walking is the best exercise to maintain or increase your fitness and keep your spine and muscles flexible and strong after surgery. You can start walking straight away and build up your endurance over the first few weeks and months.

Talk with your treating team about leisure activities you may want to return to.

Avoid the following activities until you have your post-surgical review:

  • high impact sports such as running or tennis
  • all contact sports.

You should speak to your doctor at your post-surgery review about a plan to return to your hobbies and sports, including high impact or contact sports.

It is recommended that you do not engage in sexual activity for the first 1 to 2 weeks after surgery.

When you return to sexual activity, you may initially be more comfortable lying on your back or side. Try to keep your spine relaxed and avoid pelvic thrust. Pillows may help with positioning.

 

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.

More information

Learn more about understanding spinal surgery care.

 

Last Updated: 27/09/2023