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Experts predict that lower back pain affects 80 percent of Americans at some point in their lives and is the second most common disability in the United States. Lower back pain accounts for 19 percent of all workers’ compensation claims and is responsible for around 149 million lost days of work. Individuals who suffer from lower back pain are not only impacted at work but also at home daily.
With so many individuals who experience lower back pain on a daily basis, it’s no wonder that the number of individuals who are turning to lower back pain surgeries to alleviate their pain is astronomically high. Lower back pain costs a large chunk of change with time off work, worker’s compensation claims, and surgeries that can all add up over time.
Individuals who experience acute lower back pain will recover in six weeks on average, compared to the majority 80-90 percent whose typical recovery time is somewhere within 12 weeks. What about individuals who have recently had lower back surgery due to persisting pain? What is that recovery rate and what does the post-surgery process look like?
Typically, a patient will consider lower back surgery if their pain has not subsided or improved within six to twelve months of non-surgical or non-invasive treatment. A spinal fusion is a common lower back surgery that is recommended in order to stop the pain between the spinal vertebrae by infusing a bone or bone-like structure between two or more spinal vertebrae to negate the motion between them.
In essence, this locks down the movement which can pinch or create compression on the vertebrae and lead to pain over time for individuals. Patients who typically have a spinal fusion will have reduced levels of pain but will also have a reduced ability to bend or twist. In these scenarios, there is a give and take to reduce the likelihood of incurring future pain with this type of surgery.
The medical professional conducting the spinal fusion surgery will connect the vertebrae that appear to have movement between them, which will essentially force the vertebrae to heal into one solid area with the use of tools like rods, metal plates, and screws. A spinal fusion is for individuals who need assistance in correcting their spinal instability, deformities, or herniated disks, and eliminating all pain associated with these abnormalities.
Alternately, patients may undergo a total disk replacement. Disks in the lumbar spine serve the purpose of cushioning the vertebrae in the spine so that the bones do not rub on each other. If there is a worn-out disk and it causes friction on the vertebrae or bone, it can result in lower back pain. In a total disk replacement, a surgeon will implant a metal or combination of metal and plastic disk in the place of the worn-out disk to allow for proper vertebrae functioning in the back.
Patients who have had spinal fusion surgery to help lower back pain, typically recover and enjoy daily activities in about 3-12 months, depending on the severity. If you’ve undergone a total disk replacement, you will be required to stay in the hospital for a few days to receive pain medicine and further instructions on post-operation gentle movements. A total disk replacement however does not require bones to heal so this surgical option typically has a quicker recovery time than a spinal fusion.
Another lower back surgical option is called lumbar decompression surgery which is used to treat lower back pain and symptoms in the legs due to compressed nerves, such as numbness, pain, or tingling. This surgery usually comes with a 1-4 day recovery length in the hospital and patients are back to walking a day after surgery.
Physical therapy can help patients and individuals of all ages who are looking to effectively recover from surgeries to alleviate lower back pain. Following low back surgery, there will be inevitable pain due to the invasive nature of the operation. Your healthcare professional will often send you home with pain-relieving medication and encourage you to move around and ice the area for about two to three days to relieve pain and muscle tension.
As with all of the lumbar spine surgery recoveries, it is important to walk and stretch to promote flexibly and proper lumbar mobility to retrain the area after surgery. Physical therapy is an incredibly helpful resource following surgery as it improves the root cause of the issue and gets the body back to improved mobility.
Physical therapy can also help reduce the use of constant pain-relievers until the pain subsides, decreasing the risk of medication dependence.
Following surgery, it is important to be gentle with your body and your recovery time as each person heals differently. After consulting with your physical therapist and receiving an assessment, your PT can demonstrate stretches and provide you with strengthening and conditioning exercises to get your back on your feet.
A physical therapist can be a crucial part of both your short and long-term recovery. Your therapist can assess your movement and note any difficulties with function and then discuss the best treatment options following your particular surgery. You and your physical therapist can together develop a personalized treatment plan that best supports you and your personal goals.
Physical therapy not only helps you recover from your lower back pain surgery, but it can also be useful in helping you alleviate pain before you need to get surgery. Physical therapy can be a great option for you to alleviate pain and work to restore function, improve mobility, and address muscular imbalances that could be contributing to lower back pain. PT is a great option for those individuals who are looking to alleviate their pain with non-invasive techniques and is often a recommendation that healthcare providers encourage as an option before surgery.
In many cases, surgery is seen as a last case scenario because it does limit or restrict the movement of individuals and the recovery time can be so long depending on a wide array of circumstances. With physical therapy, you can work with a licensed physical therapist near you who can help identify the best path forward in addressing the pain you experience, movement concerns, and unique goals and needs.
Consider physical therapy first before you settle on surgery as the solution to your lower back pain. Physical therapy has helped many patients alleviate their lower back pain and it’s a great option for those individuals who are looking for a less-invasive alternative to address their lower back pain. It’s never been easier to get treatment for your lower back pain as many states now offer direct access, which means that you can be connected with a licensed physical therapist near you without needing to wait in a doctor’s office for a referral. Check and see if your state is a direct access state and then schedule an appointment directly with a licensed physical therapist near you!
Find a PT near you at one of our hundreds of clinic locations across the United States, and Schedule an Appointment Today to connect with a licensed physical therapist.
