Practical experience tips for pre-laminectomy and post recovery

I had a C5-T1 decompression laminectomy and fusion following trauma. So I was hospitalized pre-op. So can’t help you there. I found the staff and social workers at shock trauma to be well versed and they had everything I needed at my house by the time I got there. I was a quadriplegic on arrival after the car accident, gradual improvement post op but still had muscle loss on discharge. I needed lots of DMEs and they took care of it all. Then PT and OT came to the house, as I improved, my needs changed, and they were able to help with that as well. I think it’s great to be proactive, and medicine has changed since my injury but I hope this puts your mind at ease at least a little.

Thank you

I just didn’t think through the after surgery care. Big mistake to wear my tight yoga leggings to the hospital. I had a difficult time getting them on after surgery. Loose sweat pants and slip in shoes would be so much better. I didn’t pack basic things like a hair brush my toothbrush.
Luckily I had my husband at home to set up the shower chair and get the walker ready. One thing that helped was putting a plastic bag in my usual chair so it was easier to slid forward when getting out of the chair. So many little things to think of!

I second what another poster said about wearing loose clothing and slip-on shoes. Have your ride put a garbage bag on your car seat when they pick you after surgery. That bag will help you a great deal with getting in and out of the car, especially for turning into position because you can much more easily glide over it. You might want some smaller pillows, too. Your back muscles will likely hurt quite a bit and you'd be surprised at how much back muscles are used while doing things, so using a bag on the seat will tamp that pain down a bit. It will help you use more of your arms & legs to move versus using more of your back and ab muscles.

Actually, another tip is to work on your abs and low back muscles before surgery, if possible. I do realize you might be in too much pain to do that, but if not, then start doing exercises to help strengthen those muscles beforehand.

If you don't have a recliner, you might want to buy one of those big cushions/bed wedges that keep you from laying flat. I bought an inflatable bed riser before my surgery. It was as wide as my bed, and it went between my mattress and base at the top of my bed and I could inflate it to turn my mattress into a semi-adjustable bed. I could inflate and deflate to my comfort to raise up my bed/mattress to help me get in and out of bed. It was much cheaper than buying an adjustable bed frame.

Prepare your home as well before leaving for surgery. Put things that you use often within easy reach (on counters, tables, night stands, etc). Anything that you use often that you normally have to bend to get - put them somewhere at waist level.

Here are some things that I remember getting before my surgery:

Grabber
Toilet riser
Walker with wheels (I already had one that was my grandmother's, so I didn't need a new one)
Shower chair

That's all I can think of right now, but I hope it helps!

On April 2, I had cervical operation that has the same requirements as you’ve listed. Fortunately, I have most of the equipment. After your laminectomy, how was it getting around with the walker, How many level operation was yours?

My surgery was at 3 lumbar levels - L3 through L5. I don't think I would have been able to get around without the walker for at least the first couple of weeks. On top of helping me to walk, it helped to get me up from wherever I was sitting, including from the toilet. I had no issues getting around my home with the walker, and also used it while going for walks outside for exercise once I was confident enough to do that.

Right after surgery, I had a lot of pain, including from muscle spasms, and being able to lean onto the walker was tremendously helpful.