Recovering From Spinal Surgery | Expert Tips For A Faster And More Safer Rehabilitation

Spinal surgery is a major procedure that can help alleviate chronic back pain, improve mobility, and prevent further damage to the spine. While the recovery process can be challenging, there are several do's and don'ts that can help patients recover as quickly and comfortably as possible. Spinal surgeries can help alleviate chronic back pain and other spinal conditions such as Herniated discs, Spinal Stenosis, Scoliosis, and Spinal fractures, but they can also require a significant amount of post-operative care to ensure a successful recovery. Proper post-operative care and following your physiotherapist's instructions can help speed up the recovery process. In this blog post, we will discuss the do’s and don'ts and activity precautions that can help you achieve a fast and safe recovery after spinal surgery.

Spinal Surgeries
Spinal surgeries are performed to treat a range of spinal conditions. These procedures are complex and require a significant amount of post-operative care for safe recovery. The recovery period after spinal surgery can vary depending on the extent of the surgery, and the patient's age, health, and fitness level. However, there are several do's and don'ts that can help patients recover quickly and safely.

Do's for fast recovery after Spinal Surgeries:
Follow your physiotherapist’s instructions:
After spinal surgery, your physiotherapist will give you specific instructions on how to care for your incision, manage your pain, and gradually resume your normal activities. It's crucial to follow these instructions carefully to ensure a smooth and speedy recovery. Your physiotherapist may provide you with a written recovery plan that outlines post-operative care. Make sure to read and understand it thoroughly and ask any questions you may have.

Attend physiotherapy:
Physiotherapy is an essential part of the recovery process after spinal surgery. A physiotherapist can help you develop a customized exercise plan to promote healing, improve your range of motion, and strengthen your back muscles. Physiotherapy can also help reduce pain and prevent complications. Attend all physiotherapy sessions as directed by your therapist.

Move around frequently:
Bed rest is no longer recommended for postoperative recovery after spinal surgery. Instead, it's essential to move around frequently to prevent blood clots, improve circulation, and prevent muscle atrophy. In the early stages of recovery, your physiotherapist recommends walking short distances several times a day. As you recover, you can gradually increase your activity level, as directed by your therapist. It's crucial to follow your therapist's guidelines on how much activity you should do and when. If you experience any pain or discomfort, stop and rest, and inform your therapist.

Practice good posture:
Good posture is crucial for spinal health and can help prevent back pain and promote healing. After surgery, it's essential to maintain good posture while sitting, standing, and walking. Avoid slouching and practice sitting, standing, and walking with your spine in a neutral position. You may need to use a back brace or other supportive devices.

Practice stress-reducing techniques:
Stress can interfere with the healing process and increase pain and discomfort after spinal surgery. Practicing stress-reducing techniques, such as deep breathing, and relaxation techniques. These can help reduce stress and promote healing. Consult with your physiotherapist to determine which stress-reducing techniques are appropriate for you.

Eat a healthy diet:
A balanced and nutritious diet can help promote healing and prevent complications. After surgery, your body needs nutrients to repair tissues and rebuild strength. Aim to consume foods rich in vitamins, minerals, and protein to support tissue repair and strengthen your immune system. Include plenty of fruits and vegetables, lean protein, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products in your diet. Avoid processed and high-fat foods, which can cause inflammation and hinder healing.

Stay hydrated:
Staying hydrated is crucial for proper healing after spinal surgery. Drinking plenty of water can help prevent constipation and promote wound healing. It's recommended to drink at least 8-10 glasses of water per day. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can interfere with hydration and sleep.

Don'ts for fast recovery after spinal surgeries:
Avoid heavy lifting:
Heavy lifting can put stress on your spine and disrupt the healing process. After surgery, it's essential to avoid lifting anything over ten pounds until your therapist gives you the green light. Lifting heavy objects can cause strain on your back muscles and increase the risk of complications, such as re-injury or infection. If you need to lift anything heavy, ask for assistance from family or friends.

Don't smoke:
Smoking can interfere with the healing process and increase the risk of complications after spinal surgery. Nicotine constricts blood vessels, reducing blood flow and oxygen to the healing tissues. This can delay healing and increase the risk of infection and other complications. If you smoke, it's essential to quit before and after surgery to ensure a successful recovery.

Avoid bending and twisting:
Bending and twisting can put a strain on your spine and delay the healing process. It is essential to avoid bending or twisting your back while recovering from spinal surgery. This includes activities such as picking up objects from the ground or twisting. Follow your physiotherapist’s instructions on when you can resume these activities.

Don't drive until you're cleared:
Driving too soon after surgery can be dangerous, as pain, stiffness, and medication can affect your ability to operate a vehicle. Wait until your doctor clears you to drive.

Avoid sitting or standing for long periods:
Prolonged sitting or standing can put a strain on your spine and interfere with healing. Take frequent breaks to move around and change positions.

Recovering from spinal surgery can be challenging, but following these essential tips can help speed up the healing process and minimize complications. Remember to be patient and follow your therapist's instructions, and don't hesitate to ask for help from family, friends, or healthcare professionals. With time, rest, and proper care, you'll be on your way to a full recovery.

 

                                                               Shockwave Therapy

Shockwave Therapy | Its Importance in Modern day Physiotherapy Treatment

Are you suffering from joint pain or muscular pain, and you have taken many treatments which have not worked?  Then try Shockwave Therapy. Shockwave therapy is a non-surgical non-invasive treatment procedure used all over the world for treating a wide variety of painful conditions in your body. The treatment is imparted by well-trained physiotherapists for pain relief, mobility, and speed up the recovery. Shock wave focuses on bones and other tissues of the musculoskeletal system and has a positive effect on a wide variety of tissues. In this blog, we will discuss the latest updated conditions which can be treated by this therapy and some queries which a patient can have in his mind before opting for Shockwave therapy.

 

Latest updated conditions treated by Shockwave Therapy

Shockwave therapy is not used as a short-term treatment but relieves pain and improves functionality in the long term. The conditions which can be treated by this therapy are:

• Tennis Elbow
• Golfer’s Elbow
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Rotator Cuff Strain
• Patella Tendinitis
• Tendonitis
• Jumper’s Knee
• Painful joints
• Heel Spur
• Insertional pain
• Hip and back pain
• Patellofemoral Tendinopathy
• Gluteal Tendinopathy
• Trigger points
• Non-union fractures
• Delayed healing
• Osteochondritis dissecans
• Bone marrow edema
•  Achilles Tendinopathy.

 

How does it work?

Shockwave therapy is a high-energy acoustic wave applied to the chronic painful part of the injured soft tissue.  Shockwave therapy uses sound waves to focus on painful areas. These waves are absorbed into the body’s tissue and cells, stimulating regeneration and healthy growth of the bones, muscles, and tendons. Its re-starts the healing process:

• It desensitizes the nerve endings and immediately eases the pain.
• Boosts metabolism and blood circulation.
• Forms new blood vessels causing repair of damaged tissue.
• Reduces spasms and inflammation which in turn decreases pain and boosts mobility.
• Shockwave therapy promotes subchondral bone formation.
• It reduces micro-tears and other traumas.

 

How is the treatment given?

The treatment starts with a detailed assessment of the affected area. The physiotherapist designs a personalized treatment plan that suits the patient’s lifestyle. For the application, the gel is applied to the treatment area and the treatment time starts.

 

How long does the treatment last? 

The actual delivery of 2000-3000 shocks will take 10 minutes.  The patient might require 3-4 sessions a week before he/she feels pain relief.  Patients with more chronic conditions may need 5 sessions.  The effects of Shockwave Therapy continue to improve soft tissue changes weeks after the treatment.

 

How many Treatment sessions are required?

The treatment sessions depend upon the area to be treated, the phase of pain, and the response of the body towards the treatment varies from patient to patient. Most people need around 3 sessions, others might need 5 sessions.

 

Does the therapy hurt during and after the treatment session?

The tolerance for pain is different for different patients but most patients describe it as uncomfortable, though most of the patients easily cope with the treatment for a few minutes.  The therapist can tune the machine so that the patient can get used to it. Slight discomfort is usually experienced depending on the pain in the area and usually, the treatment time is 5 minutes. Immediately after the treatment, the patient experiences pain relief. Approximately after 2-4 hours, the patient may feel some tenderness in the treatment area which is tolerable.

 

What precautions should the patient take after the session?

The patients should refrain from carrying out any strenuous physical activity until 48 hours.

 

ESWT is a possible option in conservative therapy for the indications mentioned in this review. However, this option should be reserved for orthopedics specialists familiar with this therapy and these indications.

 

Cricket Injuries

Common Cricket Injuries | Prevention and Treatment

Cricket is a very common game known to everyone. It is a game that involves the physical engagement or involvement of the player depending upon his role in the team. Although, during this game, all the body parts are susceptible to injury there are some parts of the body that are more vulnerable to injuries such as the lower back, hamstrings, shoulder, and ankle. The chances of injury may vary according to the position of the player in the field. Moreover, the T20 matches, which are more intense and played in a short duration, results in a significant increase in injuries due to more load on the players. There are various ways by which the player can get hurt, and simultaneously there are ways to manage and reduce the risk of these injuries by doing proper exercises. These exercises can be done under the guidance of a physiotherapist, who can help you to identify weak spots through a musculoskeletal screening, and thus help you to recover. So, let's take a look at some of the most common injuries and their prevention strategies.

 

Prevention of cricket injuries: Although many injuries in this game are not entirely preventable, there are some prevention strategies such as warm-up or cool down, proper conditioning, and maintaining strength that the player can follow to reduce the risk of injury.

 Warm-up and cool-down exercises: Warm-up and cool-down exercises should be done as a routine. Warm-up includes dynamic exercises, these should be done pre-session, and cool down includes static stretches, which should be done after the game. Doing pre and post-session exercises can reduce the risk of muscle strains.

Strengthening exercises: Strengthening exercises can reduce the risk of injury. Core stability training is particularly useful for bowlers, as it can help reduce the risk of low back pain and side strains.

 Most Common injuries in cricket players are:

 Rotator cuff injuries: The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body, it has an amazing range of motion. Rotator cuff injuries occur due to overhead movement during bowling, throwing, fielding, and wicket-keeping.

In case of injury, your physiotherapist recommends the POLICE principle:

·   Protection: This includes initially resting the injured part and after a few days starting gentle motion.

·   Optimum Loading:  This Starts with a passive range of motion (PROM) followed by an active range of motion (AROM).

·   Ice: Applying ice for 10 minutes every hour.

·   Compression: Compression bandages of the injured part if possible.

·   Elevation: Elevation of the injured area while sitting down or lying to increase blood flow to the area.

Your physiotherapist designs an exercise program that can help you to prevent the recurrence of any shoulder injury and improve the overall performance. Your physiotherapist will also guide you for appropriate loading of the joint and rest, following a shoulder injury.

Hamstring strains: A hamstring strain is usually caused when the muscles become overloaded, leading to a strain, or a complete tear. The severity of the hamstring strain ranges from a minor strain that may feel like an ache, or a major strain that is extremely painful making it difficult to walk or stand. Hamstrings are usually injured during sprinting i.e during fast bowling while fielding or running between wickets as a batsman. The player feels a sudden or severe pain during exercise, pain or tightness while straightening or bending the leg, and weight-bearing. Physiotherapy treatment starts by POLICE principle followed by progressive strengthening through exercise, soft tissue massage, scar tissue mobilization, dry needling, and taping. And helps to enhance healing and prevent a recurrence.

Ankle sprains: An ankle sprain is a common injury in cricket. The ankle becomes stressed when the player suddenly stops or runs at high speed causing the ankle to bend further crossing the limit.  Initial treatment includes the POLICE principle and follow-up with a physiotherapist to promote recovery. An exercise program can help to increase ankle mobility and strength hence preventing reoccurrence. Depending on the severity, your physiotherapist may decide to provide you with bracing, taping, strapping, or crutches to assist in the protection of the ligaments allowing appropriate healing. Soft tissue therapy, joint mobilization, and dry needling can also be used as a pain treatment for quicker recovery.

Abdominal side strain: Side strain occurs in the side of the body involving the Oblique muscle, commonly seen in bowlers. Due to the forcible contraction of the muscle the injury occurs on the opposite side of the bowling arm. Side strains also occur because of repetitive arm action. The player feels pain and tenderness associated with internal swelling.

Treatment requires adequate rest. After examination of the injured part, for appropriate strength and conditioning, the player can gradually return to activity,

Contusions: In cricket direct impact on the muscle is commonly caused by the ball, this injury is known as contusions. The faster the speed of the ball that hits the player more severe the injury is, resulting in swelling and bruising of the area.

The POLICE principle is recommended for treatment, and medical assistance may be required for more severe contusions.

Medial epicondylitis: Medial epicondylitis or thrower's elbow is caused due to the repetitive strain of throwing a cricket ball. The player feels the weakness of the wrist and pain on the inside of the elbow. Physiotherapy treatment starts with the POLICE principle, followed by exercise regime and prevention.

 Low back pain: Low back pain is very common in fast bowlers, due to the long periods of repetitive actions when bowling or batting to diving for the wicket. The player feels pain and inflammation as a result of overstretching of a ligament of the lumbar spine. Application of ice and rest is the best treatment for lumbar pain followed by exercises.

 Lumbar Stress Fractures: Lumbar stress fractures are commonly seen in fast bowlers. Bowling, batting, and some fielding positions can strain the spine. Excessive shoulder rotation, excessive sideways trunk flexion, and greater pelvic rotation can cause a lumbar stress fracture. Huge forces and unavoidable repetition in fast bowling can cause a lumbar stress fracture.

The treatment part focuses on load management and appropriate recovery between bowling sessions. A physiotherapist does a thorough assessment and identifies any imbalance or technique issues. An exercise program is recommended to aid recovery and help to improve bowling performance.

Groin injuries: The hip flexor and adductor muscles are injured during batting, bowling, leaping, and running or while moving the thigh upwards or moving the leg across the body. Repetitive movement or quick movement can result in injury to muscle fibers and put pressure on the hip joint surfaces and bony attachments.

The physiotherapist examines the muscle strength and movement control, to identify why the problem has occurred and helps in the prevention. Recommends pre-season drills and strengthening exercises.

Wrist and hand injuries: Bones, joints, tendons, ligaments, and nerves of cricketers are injured due to the impact of playing with a heavy ball traveling at different speeds. Physiotherapists do examination and provide management with compression and ice stabilizes the joints and bones with taping and bracing.

Other injuries like Knee injuries and Head, neck, facial injuries are less common than other injuries, but it is important to note the potential for varied knee injuries in cricket. Compulsory protective headgear while batting has decreased the incidence of such injuries significantly. Those fielding close to batsmen often wears a helmet for protection and in front of the crease wear helmets for protection.

The physiotherapist works closely with the cricket fraternity to identify and analyze the risk factors. He/she helps to minimize the risk factors and progress exercises to help the player safely return to sport. If injuries occur, physiotherapy can help with effective strengthening, conditioning, and fitness strategies to improve muscular balance thus the player can return to the game as soon as possible.