Sitting after spine surgery

14.12.2022.

The surgery went well. Hopefully, the recovery is also going in the right direction, and you, as a proactive patient, are now seeking help. This is a very important step, I have already written about it.

Also, I think this website is the place to help you. Here I wrote about all the situations in which I found myself during recovery after spine surgery. Some of the topics I have written about are:

  • how to prepare the house for recovery,
  • how to shower
  • how to lie down and get up properly or
  • how to care for a scar after surgery

In addition to these tips on the web, I have also created the MySpine app with a team of doctors to guide you step-by-step through your recovery after spine surgery. A weekly exercise program, reports for the doctor, useful products, a step counter, a counter of the recommended allowable sitting time and a bunch of other functionalities are there.

But, let's get to the subject of this text.

Sitting after spine surgery

As each spine surgery recovery is unique, the amount of time you will be able to spend sitting will also vary from person to person.

Check with your doctor/operator when it's time to sit down. These recommended allowable sitting times are listed within the app.

How much to sit after lumbar spine surgery

  • 30 days after sit for 5 minutes at a time
  • 50 days after sit for 10 minutes at a time
  • 70 days after you sit for 15 minutes at a time
  • 80 days after you sit for 20 minutes at a time

How much to sit after cervical spine surgery

  • 7 days after sit for 5 minutes at a time
  • 15 days after sit for 10 minutes at a time
  • 40 days after you sit for 15 minutes at a time
  • 50 days after sit for 20 minutes at a time

Repeat the periods in which you will try to sit several times a day, but always listen to your body.

Sitting periods can be repeated several times a day.

After each sitting, you should lie down for 30-60 minutes before sitting again and possibly take a short walk.

To make sitting easier, try following these tips:

  • Both feet should be on the ground, and the knees should be bent at an angle of approximately 90 degrees.
  • Your knees should be just below hip height.
  • Make sure you sit in the middle of the chair and not lean to one side.
  • Tilt your pelvis slightly forward so that you are not resting on your tailbone.
  • Place a firmer pillow for comfort and support of the lumbar spine to keep the spine straight when sitting. It will be much easier for you to sit with a pillow.
  • When sitting, gently pull your shoulder blades back, opening the front of your chest.Avoid using pilates balls for sitting. For your weak spine, maintaining posture on it can be very dangerous. *This warning does not apply to specific exercises that you may perform with your physiatrist or physiotherapist.

Likewise, avoid using chairs without armrests, soft armchairs and three-seaters, and even office chairs with wheels. These options are not stable enough, and there is a possibility of a fall.

Chairs with handrails without wheels were, for me personally, the best option.

Four weeks after surgery, sitting should become easier and less painful.

Standing after surgery

Good pose and posture is very important after spine surgery. Correct posture puts less strain on the joints and nerves of the spine and helps recruit your muscles for stability.

Some of the tips for good pose and posture when standing are as follows:

  • Stand with your feet hip-width apart
  • Relax your knees
  • Gently pull in the lower abdomen
  • Make sure your weight goes through both heels, i.e. don't stand with your weight on one leg)
  • Gently lift the back of your head off the top of your spine

Avoid wearing high heels. They put additional strain on the legs and spine, and can cause calf and hamstring tightness and weakening of the spine muscles.

We hope these tips have been helpful.

We wish you a fast and successful recovery!

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