How to maintain after lumbar internal fixation surgery?

Lumbar internal fixation is a common method in medicine for treating lumbar disc herniation. It is a surgical way to fix and treat the inside of the lumbar spine. Daily care and physical health are very critical after lumbar internal fixation. You need to rest in bed more often. You need to pay attention to the soft mattress. You can use a special lumbar care pad. Pay more attention to turning over and exercising.

How to maintain after lumbar internal fixation surgery?

1. Preoperative patient guidance:

1. Teach the correct way to move the body: axial turning exercises (when turning over or turning, the head, neck, shoulders, waist, and feet should be kept in a straight line without twisting the body, like an axis), straight back bending (bending from the hips), side-lying with a pillow (putting a pillow or cushion between the legs when lying on the side), etc., to avoid the importance of waist movement

Axial roll exercise

Side Sleeping Pillow

2. Correct postures for standing, sitting, standing up, moving objects, and sleeping (see attached table)

3. Simple rehabilitation guidance before surgery

① Ankle pump exercise: flex and extend the ankle joint forcefully, slowly, and throughout the full range, 5 minutes/set, 2 sets/time, 3 times/day.

② Quadriceps exercise: maintain muscle tension to prevent atrophy, tense the front of the thigh for 10 seconds, contract for 10 seconds,

Relax for 10 seconds each time, 10-15 times/time, 3 times/day

③ Flexion of both lower limbs at the hip and knees (with feet on the bed): Flex both knees alternately and slowly, with the heels sliding on the bed without leaving the bed, 10-15 times/time, 3 times/day.

④ Gluteal muscle clamping training: Tighten the buttocks muscles on both sides while lying flat and hold for 5 seconds. 10-15 pieces/time, 3 times/day.

⑤ Maintaining the strength of both upper limbs: Maintain the strength of both upper limbs while in bed, lifting 5kg weights horizontally, 10-15 times/time, 3 times/day.

⑥ Deep breathing training: When you take a deep breath, expand your abdomen first, then expand your chest. After reaching the limit, hold your breath for a few seconds and gradually exhale. When exhaling, first contract your chest, then your abdomen, and try to expel as much gas as possible from your lungs. Repeatedly inhale and exhale.

2. Postoperative Recovery

1-2 weeks after surgery:

Tips: This is still the acute stage of the operation, and you will feel pain, weakness and discomfort in your waist. This is normal and there is no need to panic. However, waist movements (flexion, extension, left and right lateral flexion, left and right rotation) are strictly prohibited at this stage.

1. Ankle pump exercise: First, hook your foot upwards forcefully and slowly to the maximum range, then stretch your foot downward in the opposite direction to the maximum range, and repeat this movement repeatedly, 5 minutes/set, 3 sets/time, 3 times/day.

2. Quadriceps exercises

3. Passive straight leg raising sliding nerve exercise (stretching training): Supine position. In the early stage, it is best to have a rehabilitation therapist perform the passive straight leg raising exercise (>70 degrees is normal). After discharge, family members can help 2-3 times/day, 10 times each time, each movement for 5 to 10 seconds. Violence is prohibited and pain should be within the tolerable range.

4. Isometric back training

5. Getting out of bed training: Wear the brace and lie on your side, support yourself with both upper limbs and put your lower limbs on the ground, maintain the sitting position and then stand up quickly

6. Standing training: Those whose symptoms have improved significantly can wear a waistband and do standing training with their hands. Place your feet shoulder-width apart with your toes pointing forward, and try to keep your body upright and balanced. 5-10 minutes/time, 2 times/day.

Tips: Please do this under the protection of your family to prevent you from falling. If you feel any discomfort in your waist, you can reduce the amount or take a rest as appropriate.

7. Small range center of gravity transfer training: For those whose symptoms have been significantly improved and who can maintain good balance in a standing position, they can wear a waist belt and hold on to their hands, and move their center of gravity alternately back and forth and left and right in a small range. 5-10 minutes/time, 2 times/day.

Tips: Please do this under the protection of your family to prevent you from falling. If you feel any discomfort in your waist, you can reduce the amount or take a rest as appropriate.