If you and your doctor have decided that a spinal fusion procedure is necessary, you may be worried about being able to take care of yourself after you leave the hospital. If so, there are a couple of things you can do to set your house up before the surgery that will help you during the recovery period.
1. Clear Pathways Throughout Your Home
One way you can help make your life easier, as well as safer, once you arrive home after your spinal fusion surgery is to clear pathways throughout your house. After the surgery, you will be required to walk with a straight posture without bending.
This can make it difficult to bend forward to see what is laying in your path. It also makes it almost impossible to move any objects that are in your way, especially if doing so would require you to bend over.
If you do not have a lot of time to prepare before your surgery, concentrate on the main paths that you typically take while you move around your house. Make sure the way is clear between the living room, kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom.
2. Set Your Kitchen Up So That You Do Not Have to Bend
While you are recovering from your spinal fusion, you still need to eat, as proper nutrition is important for healing. However, most kitchens are not set up to be friendly for people who are recovering from this surgery, as many items in the cabinets and refrigerator, such as pots, food, and even dishes, are below your waist level.
Before the date of your surgery, rearrange your kitchen so that you do not have to bend over to get anything. Place any pans either on the counter or on the bottom shelves of the upper cabinets, and set out any dishes that you will need to prepare and serve your food.
Next, open your refrigerator and clear off the top shelves that are either at your waist level or above. Then, any food that you plan to prepare and eat after your surgery should be placed on these shelves, as opposed to being on the bottom shelves or in drawers.
Setting up your home for the recovery period after your spinal fusion surgery can help you make things easier on yourself while trying to maneuver around your house and take care of yourself. For more tips about preparing for your surgery, speak with the orthopedic doctor who will be performing the procedure for personalized guidance.
Share8 November 2019
As we age, our bones become more brittle and susceptible to breaking. Even the slightest fall can cause a hip to break and leave us paralyzed with pain. After a hip replacement, there are exercises that you should do. If you have recently had a hip replaced or know someone who has, this blog will help you find exercises and stretches that will help the hip to heal properly and quicker than it would if you did nothing more than the minimum. Hopefully, what I have learned will help you heal quickly and begin living your life as you did prior to the surgery.
