Dorsal column stimulator downtime how to#
Dorsal column stimulator downtime skin#

Lopez at our El Paso, Texas office online or over the phone today.You have been selected as an appropriate candidate for spinal cord stimulation therapy.

Dorsal column stimulator downtime how to#

If you’d like more information about vertebroplasties or guidance on how to recover from them, request an appointment with Dr. Try gentle exercises that involve proactive slow, graceful movements like tai-chi, yoga, or water aerobics. Use assistive devices, such as handrailsīoosting your physical fitness through regular exercise can also improve your balance, strength, coordination, and flexibility.

Keep these things in mind when trying to prevent falls: Prevent fallsĮven a mild fall can cause hairline cracks in your vertebra and lead to more spinal compression fractures. One of the best things you can do for your bones is to quit smoking and let your body heal and rebuild your bones naturally as it’s meant to do. Smoking is particularly harmful to women as it breaks down estrogen, which is a key ingredient to healthy bones. Smoking also interferes with your ability to absorb calcium, and the nicotine slows the production of healthy bone cells. For example, it restricts the flow of oxygenated blood to your bones, preventing healing. Smoking wreaks havoc on your bone health. Fortunately for us Texans, we rarely have a sunless day, so be sure to take advantage of the sun’s rays safely.

Dorsal column stimulator downtime skin#

When your skin is exposed to sunlight, it triggers your body’s production of vitamin D. You can boost your vitamin D intake by eating a healthy diet, but the best way to help your body make its own vitamin D is to get outside and spend time in the sun. Without it, your body can’t effectively absorb calcium. Similar to calcium, vitamin D also plays a role in your bone strength. Lopez about other ways you can increase your calcium intake, such as taking calcium supplements. You can do this by eating calcium-rich foods, including: Your body needs calcium to make strong, healthy bones, but it can’t make calcium on its own, so you have to get calcium from your diet. You’ve probably heard the old wives tale encouraging children to drink a glass of milk to strengthen their bones, and there’s a reason why it’s so well-known. Here are a few expert tips on preventing spinal compression fractures. This step in your recovery journey is especially important if you have osteoporosis or other conditions that compromise your bones. The first few months and beyondĪfter you’ve returned fully to your daily life and normal exercise, you can start focusing on preventing future compression fractures. Depending on your needs, we recommend wearing a brace or going to physical therapy to support your back as it heals.

We want you to get back to your normal routine - especially exercise - as quickly as possible, but it’s a good idea to ease back into your activities slowly and avoid strenuous exercises like heavy lifting for the first three weeks. Most of our patients reported improved pain relief within the first day. You can use ice packs to manage any discomfort at the injection site. Lopez sends you home with customized aftercare instructions, but he typically encourages his patients to rest at home for at least the first 24-48 hours. Any post-procedure discomfort should be mild and temporary. A trusted friend or family member can take you home once you’ve rested from the procedure. Immediately following your vertebroplasty, you’ll rest comfortably in our office for a few hours. Take a closer look at what to expect after your vertebroplasty. The real challenge comes after your procedure. This is an outpatient procedure that only requires a small incision, and you can opt for a local anesthetic or mild sedation to keep you comfortable.

Lopez injects a special bone cement called PMMA to fill in the cracks in your vertebra, which hardens and reinforces your spine. These compression fractures stem from hairline cracks in your vertebra, which weakens it and causes it to collapse.ĭuring your vertebroplasty, Dr. Lopez uses vertebroplasties to address compression fractures in your spine. Here’s everything you should know about life after vertebroplasty. Raul Lopez and our team are dedicated to helping you manage your pain from consultation to recovery. Without the proper recovery strategy, you could find yourself back at square one when it comes to your back pain.įortunately, your care at West Texas Pain Institute doesn’t stop once you leave our office. Although it’s minimally invasive, vertebroplasties still involve a procedure on your spine.