New Techniques Mean Faster Recovery

Minimally invasive, rapid recovery, and team effort are hallmarks of spinal surgeries performed at Anne Arundel Medical Center.

Minimally invasive surgery employs smaller incisions, which means less disturbance and trauma to tissue and a reduced risk of complications during surgery and after. Smaller incisions also mean less pain and a faster recovery period.

Back on your feet, and on your way back

Rapid recovery means an immediate focus on mobility and getting back to normal. You are up and around from the first day of your surgery. For most spinal surgery patients a single overnight hospital stay is enough. Generally, you can drive in three to four weeks. You can Also return to sedentary jobs and activities in three to four weeks and to vigorous physical activities in six to twelve weeks.

From the first postoperative day, you work toward wellness--mobilizing your body and preventing complications. The professional team guides you in deep breathing to keep the lungs healthy. You wear special stockings to reduce the risk of blood clots. Staff and coaches help you stick to a program of gradual limb strengthening, and carefully increasing movement.

If you are undergoing a more complicated operation, such as spinal fusion of the lower back, you will stay in the hospital somewhat longer, from one to three days. You may be placed in more restrictive support devices, such as braces and “halos,” and may require a longer time to return to normal activities.

Group support is essential. The Center for Spine Surgery puts you and your family at the center of our team. We recommend that you have a coach--a chosen family member or friend--who encourages you and helps you all along the way. If you don't have a coach we often can provide you with one. Together we get your body moving on recovery, teach you to perform the exercises you need to do and how to care for your incision. We meet all of your needs including keeping you comfortable and we have our board “The Back Track”, which gives both of us feedback on the progress you're making.

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