Submitted By Stephen Ritter M.D.
10.16.2008

Date: October 1, 2007

Prepare Your Body for Spinal Surgery

More than one million spinal surgeries are performed in America every year. Physical preparations prior to spinal surgery can have a major impact on its success and a person’s overall recovery. Following are a few things to consider:

Watch your eating habits: A key ingredient in keeping your immune system healthy is good nutrition. In the weeks prior to your surgery, stick to a well-balanced diet. Proper nutrition will increase the chance for healthy wound healing and reduce the risk of infection after the operation.

Lose excess weight: Experts believe that being overweight and undergoing spine surgery may contribute to a greater likelihood of complications, like blood clots, wound infections, heart problems, and deep vein thrombosis.  So, to reduce the likelihood of complications, it’s a good idea to shed those extra pounds before surgery.  Also, the more you weigh the greater the strain on your back, which can slow the healing process and increase the pain after surgery.  

Exercise: A suitable cardiovascular workout can help strengthen muscles, allowing you to return to a healthy, active lifestyle more quickly after surgery. Most people find walking, swimming, light weight-training or aerobics to be beneficial. Talk to your physician about how to start an exercise program that is right for your condition before and after spine surgery.

Put down the pack: Smokers have a significantly higher chance of experiencing surgical complications with anesthesia and post-operative pneumonia than non-smokers. Nicotine is also associated with lower success rates for fusion surgery because it can interfere with bone healing. For the best results, you should quit smoking three months before your surgery. This will allow time for your pulmonary function to recover and your body to begin ridding itself of toxins caused by smoking.

If spinal surgery is in your future, by adhering to a few simple guidelines before hand, you’ll be sure to be back on your feet in no time.