I just had a lumbar laminectomy a month ago. Is it safe for me to engage in rehab?
Post-surgical patients are well served by rehab but must be careful not to disrupt the surgical repair. For a simple laminectomy/discectomy the soft tissues are usually well healed and able to withstand maximum work-outs after 8 weeks. Until that point patients are placed in our sub-maximal program. Proper exercise during the post operative period, while the soft tissues are still healing, can influence the way in which the collagen is laid down. Collagen tends to line up along the lines of force and if the force is applied in a controlled manner the collagen that is laid down is more biomechanically sound. Usually, a strong back will help to protect against recurrent problems after your surgery.
