Your follow-up care will depend on what type of treatment you need and whether you have surgery. For many people, making changes in lifestyle will be an important part of care going forward.
- Control stress. Learn to identify stress and find calming activities that can help you manage stressful situations.
- Eat a healthy diet. This includes eating fruits and veggies, lean meats, nuts, beans, fish and whole grains. It also includes limiting sodium, added sugars and unhealthy fats.
- Strive to get seven to nine hours of quality sleep per night.
- Limit alcohol. Men should have no more than two drinks per day and women should aim for no more than one drink per day, according to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
- Manage other health problems, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, by taking medicines properly and following your provider’s guidance.
- Quit smoking. If you smoke or vape, take steps to quit. Try to avoid secondhand smoke, too. Smoking can interfere with healing, as nicotine can reduce oxygen-rich blood flow going to the healing tendons and bones. Nicotine can also increase the risk of blood clots in the legs.
- Reach and maintain a healthy weight.
- Stay physically active. Try to get at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week. Talk to your provider about what exercises are good for you. Be sure to watch for signs that your heart is working too hard. If you become short of breath or dizzy while exercising, stop and rest right away.
Regular exercise and changes to your working or living space and routines can often help, in addition to doctor-prescribed care.
If you have nonsurgical treatment for spinal stenosis, you may only need occasional follow-up visits with your spine care team to monitor the condition.
If you are diagnosed with spinal stenosis along with another medical condition, like rheumatoid arthritis, you may need to see other UK HealthCare specialists for follow-up care.
Make sure you keep all your appointments and let your providers know if you have any change in symptoms.
Recovery after surgery can be challenging for some. Most people return to work within a few weeks and can resume a wide range of activities within three months. Others will need to stay in an in-patient rehabilitation center to recover.
Physical therapy is an important part of recovery for all surgical patients. Performing therapies and home exercise as instructed will help ensure a smooth recovery.