4 Practical Ways to Prepare for Your Spinal Surgery

by Kevin Smith Author

Are you planning to get spinal surgery? You need to do a few preparations before the operation to make your life easier during the recovery period. Read on to learn some tips you can follow.

Move Items to a More Accessible Height

Put the things that you usually use at home within easy reach. Set them in a position where you can get them without having to bend over, squat, tiptoe, and overextend your back. This will prevent you from moving your spine too much while in recovery. Any twisting or bending motions may cause you pain and even hinder your back from healing properly.

For example, you can put the pots and pans that you often utilize for cooking on the kitchen counter instead of the overhead cabinets. You may also place clothes that you frequently wear on top of a table or in the middle section of your closet. All these daily items should be at torso level before you leave for your surgery.

Buy a Grabber Tool

Sometimes, it isn't really possible to place everything you need at an accessible height. For these situations, it's good to get a special device called a grabber to help you reach them. This is a lightweight metal or plastic pole that has a claw-like feature at one end and a handle on the other. Generally, the handgrip has a button or a trigger that controls the pincers and cinches them closed.

It's good to keep this tool with you at all times during recovery. You can use it to grab things that have fallen to the floor, or items that have been placed way above your reach.

Get a Toilet Riser

It may be harder for you to sit down or stand upright after your procedure. This can be even riskier in an environment like the bathroom, where slipping may be a hazard. So, to make it safer for you to use the toilet while recovering, you should get a seat riser.

This is a device that sits right on top of your toilet, raising the seat a few inches higher than usual. With this tool, you won't have to squat that low when using the toilet. Some variants even have handles that will give you the support you need when sitting down or rising up.

Cease Nicotine Consumption

Right before and after the surgery, you have to stop smoking or consuming any other products that have nicotine. This substance can affect the circulation in the smaller vessels in your body. This will prevent the oxygenated blood from reaching the injured area, which will then significantly hinder the surrounding tissue's ability to repair itself. It also slows down the natural bone healing process.

Most doctors advise that you cease nicotine consumption at least six weeks before your surgery. This will allow your system to flush out most of the toxins from your body.

These are just some things you can do. If you want more advice on how else you should prepare, ask your orthopedic spine surgeon in Suffolk County, NY.