Physiotherapy exercise after scoliosis surgery

You will be reviewed by your consultant at approximately 8 weeks after your scoliosis surgery. At this appointment, the range of movement and posture of your spine will be checked. If you are struggling with feelings of stiffness or your consultant thinks your movement or posture could be improved, then exercises may be helpful.

Some simple exercises to improve flexibility and freedom of movement can be practised daily until you feel that your spine is moving more normally. These can be started as soon as your back feels comfortable enough. You will not damage the screws, rods or your back by doing these. If they cause too much pain, stop doing them for a few days and then try again.

You should aim to do these exercises 2 to 3 times a day.

Exercises

Spinal roll down

Standing straight with your knees slightly flexed. Imagine your back is against a wall with a strip of Velcro down your spine. Leading with your head, try to peel the Velcro away from the wall from the top down, go as far as you can comfortably. Then slowly stand up, thinking about replacing the Velcro from the bottom upwards.

Kneeling prayer stretch

Stretch your hands away from your knees by sliding them on the floor. As you do this, take your bottom towards your heels. Hold this position for 20 seconds and repeat 5 times.

Knee hugs

Lying on your back, hold round the front of your knees and pull them in towards your chest. Try to focus on getting the curling up of your bottom and lower spine from the floor. Hold for 20 seconds and repeat 5 times. This exercise would be most comfortable to do on the bed.

Hamstring stretch

Lying on your back with 1 leg bent to a 90 degree angle at the hip and knee, the opposite leg must be straight. Slowly try to straighten the knee so you are taking your foot towards the ceiling. Hold a gentle stretch for 30 seconds and repeat 3 times.

Piriformis stretch

Lying on your back with both knees bent and your feet resting on the floor. Cross the right foot over the left knee, then using your hands around your left thigh, slowly pull your thigh towards you until you feel a stretch in the right bottom. Hold for 30 seconds and repeat 3 times. Repeat the exercise on the opposite side.

To increase this stretch, you can put one hand over the left knee and apply pressure to push your knee away from yourself.

Quads stretch

Lying on your stomach, squeeze your bottom tight, then bend your knee and apply a stretch (either with hand around ankle or using a belt hooked around the ankle). You are aiming to get your heel towards your bottom until you feel a gentle stretch down the front of your thigh. Hold 30 seconds and repeat 3 times.