Discectomy surgery is a procedure that involves removing a damaged or herniated disc from the spine. The disc is a cushion-like structure that sits between the vertebrae and absorbs shock and allows movement. When the disc is injured or degenerated, it can press on the spinal nerves and cause pain, numbness, weakness, or tingling in the back, legs, or feet.
While the recovery process after discectomy surgery varies from person to person, many patients wonder whether they can cross their legs after the procedure. Crossing the legs is a natural and comfortable posture for many people, but it can also put stress on the spine and affect the healing process. This article explains why crossing the legs after discectomy surgery is not recommended and some alternatives you can try instead.
Why You Should Avoid Crossing Your Legs After Discectomy Surgery
Crossing your legs after having discectomy surgery can have several negative effects on your recovery. Here are some of the reasons you should avoid this habit:
- Crossing your legs can increase the pressure on your lower back and aggravate your symptoms. When you cross your legs, you tilt your pelvis and change the alignment of your spine. This can cause more compression on the nerves and discs that are already inflamed and sensitive after surgery.
- Crossing your legs can impair your blood circulation and increase the risk of blood clots. After discectomy surgery, your blood flow may be reduced due to inflammation, swelling, or medication. Crossing your legs can further restrict the blood flow to your lower extremities and increase the chances of developing a blood clot in your leg veins. This condition, known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), can be life-threatening if the clot travels to your lungs and causes a pulmonary embolism (PE).
- Crossing your legs can interfere with your physical therapy and rehabilitation. After discectomy surgery, you will need to follow a physical therapy program to restore your strength, flexibility, and mobility. Crossing your legs can limit your range of motion and prevent you from performing certain exercises correctly. It can also create muscle imbalances and posture problems that affect your long-term outcome.
What You Can Do instead of Crossing Your Legs
If you are used to crossing your legs, it may be difficult to break this habit after discectomy surgery. However, there are some alternatives you can try to keep yourself comfortable and support your recovery. Here are some tips:
- Sit with both feet flat on the floor and keep your knees at a 90-degree angle. This will help you maintain a neutral spine position and reduce the stress on your lower back.
- Use a footrest or a stool to elevate your feet slightly and make you feel more comfortable. This will also increase your blood circulation and prevent swelling in your legs.
- Change your position frequently and avoid sitting for long periods of time. Sitting for too long can cause stiffness and pain in your back and legs. Try to get up and move around every 20 to 30 minutes to stretch your muscles and joints.
- Follow your doctor's instructions regarding your activity level and exercise regimen. The doctor will provide guidance on how to safely resume your normal activities and prevent complications after discectomy surgery.
It is important to follow your surgeon's instructions carefully during each phase of the recovery process. Failure to do so could prolong your back surgery recovery time or even cause further damage to your spine. Crossing your legs after discectomy surgery may seem harmless, but it can actually hinder your recovery and cause more problems in the long run. By avoiding this habit and following the tips listed above, you can protect your spine health and achieve a better outcome after discectomy surgery.
Even though discectomy surgery is a common and generally quite successful procedure, a hole is frequently left in the outer wall of the disc. In fact, patients with these large holes in their discs are more than twice as likely to reherniate. Reherniations often require additional surgery or even fusions. Fortunately, there is a new treatment specifically designed to close the large holes that are often left in spinal discs after discectomy surgery. Barricaid is a bone-anchored device proven to reduce reherniations, and 95 percent of Barricaid patients did not undergo a reoperation due to reherniation in a 2-year study timeframe. This treatment is done immediately following the discectomy—during the same operation—and does not require any additional incisions or time in the hospital.
If you have any questions about the Barricaid treatment, ask your doctor or contact us at 844-288-7474.
For full benefit/risk information, please visit: https://www.barricaid.com/instructions.