Causes and Treatment for Swollen Feet After Spinal Fusion

Causes and Treatment for Swollen Feet After Spinal Fusions

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When you have spinal surgery, it puts stress on your body. You’re healing from an invasive procedure and also placing additional pressure on parts of your body. It’s normal to experience swelling after spinal fusion surgery, especially in your feet. If you notice that one or both of your feet becomes swollen after spinal fusion, this is perfectly normal. However, if the swelling persists for more than a few weeks or you notice any other concerning symptoms, talk to your doctor about it as soon as possible. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the causes and treatment options for swollen feet after spinal fusion. If you are reading this because you are currently experiencing these symptoms after having a lumbar or thoracic spine surgery, read on to find out what might be causing them and how you can get relief as quickly as possible.

What Causes Swollen Feet After Spinal Fusion?

There are many reasons why you might experience swollen feet after spinal fusion surgery. Here are some common causes: – Immobility. One of the biggest factors that can cause swollen feet after spinal fusion surgery is being immobile. If you are not getting out of bed or off the couch and moving around, the blood flow to your lower extremities will slow down. This causes the swelling in your feet to increase. – Blood clots. Another cause of swelling in your extremities after spinal fusion surgery is blood clots. These can form as a result of being immobile for a long period of time, putting you at an increased risk for blood clots in your lower limbs. If a blood clot forms in your leg, it can travel to your lungs, which can be deadly. – Scar tissue build-up. After spinal fusion surgery, you will likely have a lot of scar tissue on your spine and in the incision sites. The scar tissue can build up in your lower limbs, causing them to swell. – Anesthesia. Some people find that after spinal fusion surgery, they experience swelling in their feet because of anesthesia. If you went under general anesthesia during the procedure, you may have a slower blood flow and therefore more swelling in your feet and legs.

Diagnosing the Cause of Swollen Feet After Spinal Fusion

If you experience swelling in your feet after spinal fusion surgery, it’s important to rule out any possible causes of the swelling. For example, if you have blood clots in your legs, treatment will be different if the clots are in your veins (a common cause) versus if they are in the arteries (a rare cause). Your doctor will most likely take a complete medical history, perform a physical exam, and order some tests to figure out what’s causing the swelling in your feet. Some of the tests that might be ordered include: Blood Tests. Blood tests will help your doctor rule out any blood clot issues. They will look for signs of problems in your blood, such as abnormal proteins, low platelet levels, and low red blood cell counts. Imaging. Imaging such as an ultrasound or CT scan will help your doctor identify the cause of the swelling.

Treatment Options for Swollen Feet After Spra-Fusion Surgery

Here are some ways to treat swollen feet after spinal fusion surgery: – Rest. Rest is one of the best ways to reduce swelling in your lower extremities after spinal fusion surgery. If you’re experiencing increased swelling in your feet, try to spend as much time as possible resting in bed or on the couch. – Elevate your legs. Another way to reduce swelling in your feet post-surgery is to elevate your legs. Place a pillow underneath your feet while you are resting on the couch or in bed to help reduce the swelling in your lower legs. – Compression. Wearing compression socks or compression sleeves on your legs after spinal fusion surgery can help reduce swelling in your lower extremities. – Ice. A common treatment for swelling in the lower extremities after spinal fusion surgery is ice. Place ice packs on your feet or inside a pair of compression stockings to reduce swelling. – Medication. Your doctor may prescribe you medication to help reduce swelling in your lower legs.

Conclusion

If you notice that one or both of your feet becomes swollen after spinal fusion, this is perfectly normal. However, if the swelling persists for more than a few weeks or you notice any other concerning symptoms, talk to your doctor about it as soon as possible. There are many reasons why you might experience swollen feet after spinal fusion surgery. Your doctor will likely take a complete medical history and perform a physical exam and order some tests to figure out what’s causing the swelling and how to treat it. Once the cause of the swelling is identified, you can start to treat it. If you experience swelling in your feet after spinal fusion surgery, try some of these tips to reduce the swelling, including resting, elevating your legs, wearing compression socks, and icing your feet.