The management of the needs and activities following a minimally invasive spine surgery evolve with time. Patients will have some expectations during this stage. The spine surgeon will have various recommendations based on his or her preference, the need of the patient and the type of minimally invasive spine surgery. Immediately after the surgery, pain medication is administered. This is usually given by injection or in the vein. Within two days, as the pain lessens, this can be modified to oral medication.
Recovery in preoperative symptoms is attained in 80% of patients. Back pain and function improvement continues up to a couple of years following the minimally invasive spine surgery. The basis for the improvement would be:
- nerve compression recovery
- continuing fusion mass maturation
- muscle conditioning after the surgery
Recovery after a minimally invasive spine surgery can be affected by smoking. Nicotine is like a bone poison that inhibits bone fusion. According to a study on bone mass fusion with spinal fusion patients depicts that there is lower nonunion rate to patients who do not smoke than those patients who smoke. The nonunion rate for those who quit smoking is slightly higher.
Occupational therapy, exercise and physical therapy may be needed to aid patients in regaining strength and function. This could start in the hospital or be suggested at a later time
Like other forms of back pain treatment, the more effort exerted by the patient, the better the whole result of minimally invasive spine surgery.
