If you’re reading this article you most likely have just had or are about to undergo some form of back surgery. The types of different back surgeries an individual may undergo vary greatly depending on their condition. For example, surgeries most often used for spinal stenosis are called laminectomies. While procedures called discectomies are often used for a herniated disc.
One thing these surgeries all have in common is that recovery can be a tough and grueling process. However, if you take the proper steps and precautions you will be back to full health in no time!
A wonderful way to a fast and full recovery in post back surgery situations is through bracing. Thankfully, here at BraceAbility, we have picked the perfect brace for whatever back surgery it is you’re undergoing.
1. Post- Op Lumbar Laminectomy Surgery:
A laminectomy is a surgery that creates space by removing the lamina. during a laminectomy, a surgeon removes the rear portions of one or more spinal bones. Bone spurs and ligaments that are pressing on the nerve may be removed at the same time. This surgery is often referred to as a lumbar laminectomy, decompressive laminectomy, and spinal laminectomy. The condition primarily affects elderly people as it is usually caused by degeneration or degenerative disc disease. Read more on spinal stenosis surgery.
Post-Op Braces to Wear After Decompressive or Spinal Laminectomy Surgery:
Most patients will be home roughly 2 to 5 days after surgery. Most people find it difficult to do normal tasks for the first few weeks in post-surgery situations. After 2 weeks it is likely a person will be getting their mobility back.
Bracing may be a good option for post decompressive or spinal laminectomy patients. Often times braces will help to prevent pain and unnecessary movement for an individual. In the above graphic, we have listed two of the best braces for post lumbar laminectomy surgery.
Spine Stabilization Brace: This post-op brace applies customized tension to a person's lumbar spine. The pulley system on the brace provides a post-op patient with a highly comfortable fit helping to a fast pace recovery. This brace can treat a variety of conditions ranging from mild to serious back problems.
Spinal Stenosis Back Brace: This brace is perfect for easing post op back pain one may experience after a laminectomy surgery. The brace works to take pressure off the lumbar load by shifting the load to the abdominal region. This brace is highly versatile all while being lightweight and breathable.
2. Post-Op Lumbar or Cervical Foraminotomy Surgery
Foraminotomy surgery is used to take pressure off of the nerve in your spinal column. This surgery can be performed on any area of your back including your cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine. Most often the purpose of the surgery is to relieve the pressure resulting from foraminal stenosis. This is a condition that is essentially the narrowing of the disc because of an enlargement of a joint in the spinal canal. Learn about the condition of foraminal stenosis.
Post-Op Braces to Wear After Cervical or Lumbar Foraminotomy Surgery:
Patients are usually discharged within a day or two after surgery depending on their surgery. Since a foraminotomy can be done in a variety of areas the pain experienced is greatly varied from person to person. With a lumbar foraminotomy, a person will usually see a large reduction in pain within days. In lumbar foraminotomy, people can proceed with life and work usually within two weeks.
Mid and Lower Back Brace: This post-op brace is great for after a lumbar foraminotomy. It’s comfortable, padded, low profile design are effective and easy to wear. It’s known for its “universally accepted design,” meaning it can be used in different stages of recovery.
The cervical foraminotomy is a minimally invasive surgery performed on the cervical area of the back. In post surgery situations a neck brace is used often to immobilize movement. It takes most people a few months to feel full recovery after a cervical foraminotomy.
Cervical Spine Brace: This brace is great for immobilizing your neck, which is necessary after a cervical foraminotomy surgery. This two piece design increases the breathability of the post-op neck brace, plus it makes it easy to take on and off. The brace also includes an optional, soft forehead strap that provides a higher degree of immobilization depending on preference.
3. Post-Op Microdiscectomy Surgery - Cervical and Lumbar:
A discectomy is a surgery that is used to remove lumbar or lower back herniated disc. A herniated disc can mean different things and is often referred to differently. Essentially, a herniated disc refers to problems with the cushions that are located between the bones or vertebrae that make up one’s spine. With a microdiscectomy surgery, a surgeon makes a small incision to remove disc material. To read more on herniated discs. This surgery can be done to a variety of areas of the back because it’s all about the spine. An anterior cervical discectomy is a procedure used to treat cervical spinal compression.
Post-Op Braces to Wear After Cervical and Lumbar Microdiscectomy Surgery:
In a post microdiscectomy, situation movement is recommended as soon as possible. People usually slowly make there way back to exercises and normal activities. Wearing a brace will help with the immobilization needed during recovery time. BraceAbility recommends the two braces below as a great treatment option for post-op herniated disc surgery. However, here are more braces for a herniated disc to try before surgery.
Cervical Spine Brace for Anterior Discectomy: For a post-op cervical microdiscectomy or anterior cervical discectomy this brace is perfect for immobilization. The brace protects against further movement of the neck in order to allow for a full recovery. This brace will limit flexion, extensions, and rotation of the cervical spine.
Herniated Disc Back Brace: Because lumbar microdiscectomy is done to fix herniated disc this brace is the perfect solution in a post-op surgical situation. The brace works to apply pressure to one’s midsection. Essentially, this brace will provide the stabilizing your lumbar back needs in a post-surgery situation.
4. Post-Op Lumbar and Spinal Fusion Surgery:
Lumbar spinal fusion surgery is done to join or fuse two or more vertebrae in the spine. There are a variety of methods used in spinal fusion surgery including taking bone from the pelvic area or using metal implants. Spinal fusion can be done by itself or alongside another type of surgery. For instance, it can be used as a follow-up surgery after something like spinal stenosis surgery or herniated disc surgery is performed.
Post-Op Braces to Wear After Lumbar and Cervical Spinal Fusion Surgery:
After a spinal fusion surgery, people will usually stay in the hospital for a few days. Thankfully, bed rest is not needed after you return home from surgery. Often times a doctor will require you to wear some form of a brace in order to immobilize the movement in the area of your spinal fusion surgery.
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Cervical Collar for Post-Op Spinal Fusion: This brace is perfect for post-surgery spinal fusion situations. When recovering from neck surgery it is extremely important that the region is held still so there is no further damage. This brace will immobilize the neck after a spinal fusion surgery all while slightly extending the cervical spine.
- Post-Op Lumbar Spinal Fusion: This easy to apply brace offers customized compression for one’s lumbar spine. The low back brace features rigid posterior and anterior panels. This brace can treat a variety of conditions and especially popular as a post-lumbar spinal fusion brace.
Other Common Back and Spine Surgeries Include:
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IDET Procedures:
Also known as Intradiscal Electrothermal Annuloplasty is a relatively new alternative procedure. This is usually performed on patients who are suffering from low back pain that is caused by disc issues. The procedure involves inserting a catheter into the disc and heating it up. This procedure takes roughly an hour and can be performed on an outpatient basis.
Spine Stabilization for Mid & Low Back: In post-IDET situations stabilizing the mid to lower back will help with the recovery process. This spine stabilizer is great because it compresses and supports your back to help with back pain.
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Scoliosis Surgery:
There are several different approaches to scoliosis surgery. Surgery for scoliosis can correct curves by about 50 percent. In general, the surgery applies hooks and screws to the spine to anchor long rods. The rods are then used to reduce and the spine while the bone that is added fuses together with existing bone. The two general approaches include a posterior approach (from the back of the spine) and an anterior approach (from the front of the spine). Read more on scoliosis.
Wearing a back brace after scoliosis surgery is extremely helpful. The more immobile the spine is kept post-surgery, the more the bones will fuse together.
Postural Extension Back Brace: This brace is great for post scoliosis surgical situations. This braces extensive design will help to completely immobilize the back and spine region. The postural extension this support promotes along with abdominal compression it applies make the spinal posture support well suited for treating a number of conditions and injuries.