Surgery Recovery Tips

   My father recently went through arthoscopic back surgery, at age 87. A hairline fracture in his lumbar spine (L4) developed into a full break when he was moving some packages around last month.
   He had about three weeks of inactivity as he tried rest and some moderate pain relievers, to no avail. An MRI finally revealed the break, and he went through successful surgery at St. Barnabas Hospital two weeks ago.
    His care at St. Barnabas was great. Truly caring nurses who attended to him at any time as he recovered from the surgery and the affects of the anesthesia that was required.
    With a couple of other health issues as well (nothing unusual for someone that age), my father, who has always led a very moderate, healthy lifestyle, was weak after the surgery. Most striking was the difficulty in getting up from a seated position, and lack of balance.
     The doctor prescribed a stay at Kessler Rehabilitation Institute in West Orange, and again, the care was top-notch. Morning and afternoon sessions with the therapists, regaining the skills we all take for granted, until they are compromised.
       At home now, we are working on re-building his endurance with walks in the outside air. Walking outside, with pitches in the road and slightly uneven pavement, requires more balance than indoors, engaging your core muscles more.
        The outside air is also a key component, especially after being cooped inside for most of a month. He lost about eight pounds off a thin frame with the trauma of the surgery and ensuing loss of appetite, so he's getting his calories back up, which is helping with his strength. We're making sure his water intake is sufficient, too, as dehydration due to fatigue and loss of appetite is common in seniors.
      He's working with a Physical Therapist at home, and we also are continuing a light weight workout that they did with him at Kessler to retain upper body strength. We're also incorporating balance into that, with things as simple as bicep curls with one foot flat, standing on the other toes; or one foot flat, the other on a soft pillow. He's making great progress!
     With a caring, competent wife as a partner, and large family around, he has a good support system around him, which is also key in the recovery process.  He's getting back to his old self.
     Endurance exercise, balance work, and strength training. The key components (as well as trying to maintain a positive attitude), to healthy aging, and a healthy life, overall.