When Is Physiotherapy Advisable For A Patient Post A Back Surgery?

Posted on Tue, 9 Feb 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 9 Feb 2016 Answered on

Wed, 30 Mar 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I had back fusion surgery 5 weeks ago. I started basic PT and was in horrible pain last night. Is it too soon to be doing pr?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (17 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
I would like to know little more detail of your illness.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have studied your case. Back surgery can be of different types and there is different physiotherapy protocol for all of them. So before I advised you any further I would like to know little detail of your surgery.
1.For what problem you had back surgery?
2.Do you have any screws or rod also implanted in back ?
3.What physiotherapy you did ?
4.Do you have any post operative x rays of your spine?
Please send me answers of these questions. I will try my best to help you.
thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (4 hours later)

Hello. The surgery involved insertion of two rods, 6 screws and a cadaver bone all between L4, L5, and S1. Unfortunately, a second surgery was necessary due to one of the screws being too long. I was in hospital a total of 11days.

I now walk with the assistance of a walker. I have a "drop foot" on the right and limp. The doctor referred me to physical therapy. I've gone to two appointments. The therapy involves no machines at this point. Just simple exercises to strenthen my legs and help my leg and drop foot.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
You can continue with physiotherapy

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Leg and foot exercises should be stated as soon as possible and there is no harm in them. I do not think that pain is due to these exercises. Pain may bed due to travelling and normal surgical site pain. I would suggest you following.
1.Make sure that you are travelling in lying down and comfortable position.
2.Do not bend or rise up from bed with out limbo sacral brace.
3.Tablet Etoricoxib 90 mg or tramadol should be taken if pain is severe.
4.If there is any swelling around scar tissue or inflammation then it can be suggestive of infection, it can also cause pain. If any such symptoms is there then you need to visit your doctor.
I hope this answer will be useful for you.Let me know if there is any other followup questions.
thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (10 hours later)

Thank you

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Wish you a fast recovery

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for using healthcare magic. Wish you a fast recovery.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar