Rehabilitation after removal of a hernia of the lumbar

The cure of patients suffering from dysfunction of the spine does not occur immediately after the surgical operation. Rehabilitation after removal of a hernia of the lumbar spine is a procedure that lasts a long time and requires considerable effort, both from the patient and the doctor who performed the treatment.

Features and objectives of rehabilitation measures

A vertebral hernia in the lumbar region can also be cured by therapeutic methods, but only at the very beginning of the development of the disease. But many patients are in no hurry to visit a doctor during this period and miss the precious time when it was possible to get rid of the disease by the easiest method.

If the surgeon does not intervene in the development of the disease in a timely manner by performing an operation to remove the hernia, then the patient will face serious consequences in the form of paralysis. The latest technological developments make it possible to make the consequences of surgical intervention to remove a hernia minimal, which greatly simplifies the recovery period of the body.

During the rehabilitation period, it is necessary to solve the following tasks:

1. Get rid of the pain syndrome.
2. Eliminate neurological disorders resulting from surgical intervention.
3. Normalize the functional activity of the spine and resume its full-fledged work, restore the functioning of the musculoskeletal system, which was disrupted by the disease and surgery. It is necessary to return the mobility of the upper and lower limbs and normalize the function of the joints.
4. Strengthen muscles.
5. To select the required amount of physical activity that is needed to maintain the musculoskeletal system in good working order and did not lead to discomfort.

Important! The patient cannot plan and implement the above tasks on his own. This means that rehabilitation should be carried out by professionals.

What measures are necessary to restore the body after surgery for a hernia of the spine

In order for the patient to be able to fully restore the functionality of all organs and body systems affected by the disease, the following measures should be taken:

• doctor's supervision. All ongoing activities must be discussed with narrow specialists in order to avoid any complications;
• prescribing and taking medicines that help relieve pain and speed up the healing of traces from the intervention of the surgeon;
• it is necessary to undergo a course of physiotherapy measures;
• it is necessary to visit physical therapy classes in order to quickly restore the functionality of the musculoskeletal and musculoskeletal systems of the body;
• it is desirable to undergo additional activities that specialized sanatoriums can provide.

Stages of the rehabilitation period after removal of a hernia of the spine

Rehabilitation after surgery for a hernia of the lumbar spine takes place in 3 stages: early, late and remote. Each rehabilitation stage has its own characteristics, which subsequently quietly pass into the next stage of recovery. The early stage begins immediately after surgery and resolves within 2 weeks. After its completion, the late stage of the recovery period begins and it lasts in the region of 60 days. Then the remote rehabilitation stage starts, which lasts throughout the subsequent life of a person.

List of prohibited activities at all stages of the recovery period

At an early stage of the postoperative period, the following prohibitions come into effect:

• to stay in one position for a long time. The sitting position should be completely eliminated;
• for movement in a vehicle, since any concussion is contraindicated for a fragile spine.
• for lifting loads over 3 kg;
• for walking without a special suit, it must be worn no less and no more than 4 hours a day
• on physical activity of any kind, not recommended by experts;
• taking medicines not prescribed by a doctor;
• for manual therapy sessions;
• on the use of alcoholic beverages and smoking;
• for non-compliance with the prescribed diet, which allows you to establish control of the patient's weight.

In order to prevent the return of the pain syndrome, it is necessary to carefully adhere to the list of restrictions and alternate 4 hours of being in a standing position with a twenty-minute rest lying down to relieve the load from the spine.

At the next stages, the list of prohibitions becomes smaller, but it’s too early to rejoice, it is necessary to adhere to the recommendations of specialists all the time.

Medicines that are used during the postoperative recovery period

Treatment after surgery for a hernia of the lumbar spine continues with the following medications:

• means that prevent the emergence and development of the inflammatory process, for example, Nimesil Movalis;
• drugs that restore blood circulation, for example, Picamilon;
• chondroprotectors help restore articular cartilage and reduce pain;
• immunostimulating drugs that increase the functionality of the immune system;
• vitamin remedies.

Physiotherapy

The most popular methods of physical influence on the area of ​​surgical intervention are:

• electrophoresis or iontophoresis, they are used to improve the penetrating properties of medicines and relieve pain;
• mud procedures that promote the resorption of postoperative scars and reduce inflammation;
• ultrasound technique helps to enhance cell nutrition, due to which their rapid intensive growth begins;
• UHF improves blood flow and increases the activity of muscle tissue and ligaments;
• electrical stimulation of tissue cells helps to cure pain and restore nerve endings;
• the introduction of drugs using ultrasound (phonophoresis) prevents the development of the inflammatory process and swelling in the area of ​​the intervention.

Application of massage

Immediately after the operation, during the first 7 days, a light massage of the leg, which is located on the side damaged by the disease, is performed. This procedure is more necessary if symptoms of nerve root damage appear: weakness, numbness, decreased reflex activity.

It is allowed to apply massage on the lumbar spine no earlier than 30-45 days after the operation. It depends on how quickly the process of healing wounds in the area of ​​intervention takes place. Rushing with a massage at this stage of recovery is not recommended.

The use of gymnastic exercises for the purpose of treatment after removal of the intervertebral hernia

The above method begins to be applied immediately after the surgical operation. During the first 10 days, walking a short distance is recommended, which is strictly defined. Then you need to rest for at least 30 minutes. In addition to this, you should perform special exercises that help reduce the muscular apparatus and improve the functioning of the respiratory system. This special complex is performed lying down.

Then you should perform gymnastic exercises that require active movement in the supine position and on the stomach. It is necessary to engage in such gymnastics before the expiration of a monthly period. Then you should attend a treatment course in the hall. After 45-60 days of the postoperative period, experts advise visiting the pool.

Rehabilitation after removal of a lumbar hernia takes a long period of time and requires a huge amount of patience and effort. But we should not forget that the quality of the patient's future life depends on its passage. A set of rehabilitation measures is planned based on the individual characteristics of the patient's body and the degree of damage to his disease.