Nobody likes to miss time from work because of an injury, and return-to-work dates are oftentimes some of the first questions we receive when talking with a patient about surgery. It’s completely reasonable that you want to get back to work and continue making money for your family, but you can’t ignore your health, or you may end up needing to come back in for a second surgery. Today, we take a closer look at how to best return to work after back surgery.

When Can I Work After Back Surgery?

Since there are so many different back surgeries and operation types, these tips aren’t going to apply perfectly to every situation. However, these tips can be used as a general guideline for many back surgery patients.

1. Doctor Knows Best – We understand that you have deadlines and quarterly reports are due at the end of the month, but if the doctor says no work for two weeks, don’t sneak back to the job site or office in one. Doing so can jeopardize the integrity of your surgery and cause it to fail. If your recovery seems to be progressing faster than originally thought, consult your doctor, explain what’s going on, and ask for medical clearance or their opinion on whether or not you can return to work ahead of schedule.

2. Timelines Aren’t Perfect – Similarly, it’s important to remember that timelines aren’t perfect. If a doctor says that you may be able to return to work two days after an operation, but you’re still in a good deal of pain two days later, don’t just head in to work. Timelines are meant to be an estimate, not a perfect schedule. Use it to guide your rehab and recovery, but adjust your schedule based on your body’s response to surgery and therapy.

3. Ease Back Into Work – Your surgeon will ask about your work duties, but only you really know the physical demands of your job. Don’t just assume you’ll be able to do all the same duties on your first day back, so talk to your boss about any limitations or modifications to your schedule that you may need for the first few days or weeks.

4. Follow Rehab and Wound Care Guidelines – If you truly want to ensure that your spine is ready head back into work, follow all the rehab and wound care guidelines set forth by your doctor. These guidelines are designed to strengthen crucial areas of your back and prevent problems like infections or fluid build up. If you want to return to work as quickly as possible, make sure you are following through with all physical therapy and strengthening guidelines, and you’re keeping an eye on the surgical site.

5. Stop If It Hurts – You may experience some minor discomfort in your back when returning to work after surgery, but if your back starts to hurt or pain intensifies, don’t try to power through it. Take a couple more days off and make sure you’re really ready to return the next time. Powering through it can make things a whole lot worse.

For more tips on returning to work after back surgery, reach out to Dr. Chang’s office.