| Spine decompression is a type of surgery | | | | You will also be advised to take deep breaths |
| performed to remove pressure applied on the | | | | to prevent lung infections after the |
| spine or nerve root. This surgery works by | | | | operation. Never get out of bed alone after |
| removing the lamina to widen the spaces in | | | | your spine decompression surgery. You should |
| the spine or nerve roots, to relieve all | | | | always ask for assistance from therapists and |
| symptoms that are related to spinal cord | | | | nurses when walking until you can gradually |
| irritation and compression. Such symptoms | | | | walk on your own. Before leaving the |
| include numbness, pain, weakness and burning | | | | hospital, you should talk to your physician |
| sensations. Spine decompression is a very | | | | about your first post-spine decompression |
| effective way in treating a herniated disc, | | | | surgery consultation. Nursing your Incision |
| ligament formation, bone spurs and tumors and | | | | and Dressing: To prevent infection you |
| it can be performed in various sections of | | | | should keep your dressing dry and clean |
| the spine, the neck and the back (thoracic | | | | always. Sponge bath is recommended until the |
| and lumbar). Spine Decompression Surgery | | | | sutures are removed. You can only take a |
| Preparation: You should not eat or drink the | | | | shower if you cover your incision with a |
| night prior to your surgery not unless you | | | | plastic wrap. Proper Body Mechanics after |
| are directed to do so by your doctor. You can | | | | Spine Decompression: No bending and twisting |
| still continue with your medications in the | | | | of the back should be done after the first |
| morning of the spine decompression surgery | | | | few weeks of surgery. Always keep your back |
| with a little sip of water. Also, it is very | | | | straight and bend your knees when picking up |
| important to talk to your doctor if you are | | | | something. Also, you should not sit on soft |
| taking certain medicines for diabetes and | | | | couches because this causes your back to |
| hypertension. Recovery Expectations: You | | | | arch. Always sit or stand up straight and |
| can expect to stay in the hospital for at | | | | walk slowly when exercising. Jogging may only |
| least 3 days after the surgery. To relieve | | | | aggravate your spinal cord. These are just |
| pain, you will be given intravenous pain | | | | some guidelines that you should follow after |
| medication. But as the pain slowly subsides, | | | | undergoing spine decompression surgery. To |
| you will be given oral pain relievers. Ask | | | | know more about this surgical procedure it is |
| the nurse to administer pain medication at | | | | advisable to speak to your physician. |
| least an hour before performing any physical | | | | |
| activities. This will allow you to move in | | | | Adam Webster is the author of numerous health |
| and out of the bed with lesser discomfort. | | | | related articles and books. |