How Long Does it Take to Recover from Back Surgery

Open back surgery involves your surgeon making large - and often multiple - incisions in the large muscles of the patient. Thus, it follows logically that open back surgery patients will take longer to recover after surgery.

Meanwhile, minimally-invasive surgery entails much small incisions being made in the back muscles and therefore usually involve shorter recovery times.

While you should always check with your doctor regarding your own situation, here are some general guidelines for back surgery recover times you might expect:

Spine surgery: six to twelve weeks or more
Cervical spine surgery: five weeks
Lumbar spine surgery recovery time: four to six weeks

Once you have completed your hospital stay and return home after surgery, try to follow all of these best practices in order to speed up your recovery:

1 - Do not sit, stand, or lay down for long periods of time. Whether in bed or out of bed, your back will benefit from frequent adjustments to position. This helps avoid cramping and also strengthens your back muscles.

2 - East a balance diet that is low in fats and yet full of fresh fruits and vegetables. Establish a balanced, low-fat diet rich in fresh vegetables and fruit. Avoiding fatty foods is key since you want to remain energized and active. Aim to avoid adding on extra pounds.

3 - You need to get a good, long continuous night's sleep each night. But during the day, do not spend all of your time in bed or in a horizontal position (e.g., on the couch). Of course, you'll want to get lots of rest, but focus on taking short naps and then staying out of bed when you are not napping. Hint: try sleeping on your side with your knees bent and/or with a pillow between your knees. This makes it easier on your spine.

4 - If you feel stiff while you are awake, that is to be expected so do not worry. Take short, light walks or a warm shower to alleviate the pain.

5- Wash the area around your incision carefully. Do not scrub! Instead, gently wash and pat dry. Look for signs of infection such as redness and swelling and/or "weeping" or draining. Report any fevers to your doctor, as well.

6 - Engage in low-impact exercise, such as walking. Slightly increase the distance you walk each day. This is the best exercise for spinal surgery. Daily exercise will build strength and maintain muscle tone. It is also a great way to keep your weight under control. Excess weight can contribute to back strain.

7 - Make sure to see your doctor for a post-op review and checkup. Make sure you check with your doctor before returning to work, especially if your work involves heavy lifting or frequent stretching.