{"id":9457,"date":"2026-10-02T05:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-02T03:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/complexspineinstitute.com\/sin-categoria\/walking-after-spine-surgery-when-and-how-much-it-helps\/"},"modified":"2026-10-02T04:45:24","modified_gmt":"2026-10-02T02:45:24","slug":"walking-after-spine-surgery-when-and-how-much-it-helps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/complexspineinstitute.com\/en\/neurosurgery-blog\/walking-after-spine-surgery-when-and-how-much-it-helps\/","title":{"rendered":"Walking after spine surgery: when and how much it helps"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.7\"><strong>The <strong>postoperative walking<\/strong> after spine surgery usually begins earlier than many patients imagine: sometimes the same day, with assistance, and other times the following day, depending on the type of procedure, the overall condition and the surgeon&#8217;s specific instructions. Walking is not a minor detail; it is part of recovery because it helps reactivate circulation, reduces the risk of immobility-related complications and helps the body progressively regain confidence and function.<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul style=\"margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.7\">\n<li>Walking is usually started early, but always with an individualized indication.<\/li>\n<li>The first walks should be short, frequent and unhurried.<\/li>\n<li>Increasing pain, dizziness or weakness are signs to stop.<\/li>\n<li>Prolonged absolute rest is not usually the best strategy.<\/li>\n<li>Walking helps, but does not replace the restrictions of each surgery.<\/li>\n<li>Distance and pace are increased gradually.<\/li>\n<li>Real recovery depends on the surgical technique and the clinical course.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"que-es-y-por-que-ocurre\" style=\"margin-top:32px;margin-bottom:12px\">What it is and why it happens<\/h2>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.7\">When we talk about <strong>postoperative walking<\/strong> we mean the early and progressive resumption of walking after a spine operation. It does not mean walking \u201cas before\u201d or forcing the body in the first hours. It means getting up safely, taking short steps and reactivating a basic function that the body needs to recover mobility, breathing, balance and autonomy.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.7\">The recommendation to walk early is supported by a very simple clinical principle: prolonged immobility has costs. After spine surgery, staying in bed too many hours can worsen stiffness, increase the sensation of pain, favor constipation, slow deep breathing and raise the risk of deep vein thrombosis, that is, the formation of clots in the leg veins. For this reason, many modern protocols prioritize early mobilization and assisted walking, provided the neurological status and the surgical technique allow it.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.7\">It is also important to understand that not all spine surgeries are the same. Recovery is not identical after a simple decompression, a lumbar microsurgery, a spinal fusion, a cervical surgery or a complex procedure involving several vertebrae. <strong>Postoperative walking<\/strong> must be adapted to that reality: in some cases it begins within a few hours; in others, the medical team prefers to wait longer and first control pain, neurological status, drains, balance or blood pressure.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"sintomas-y-senales-de-alarma\" style=\"margin-top:32px;margin-bottom:12px\">Symptoms and warning signs<\/h2>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.7\">During the first steps, it is expected to feel tightness, tiredness, moderate surgical pain and some insecurity. That sensation usually improves as the patient gains confidence. However, there are symptoms that should not be normalized. <strong>Postoperative walking<\/strong> should be stopped if clearly intense and increasing pain appears, a feeling of faintness, difficulty breathing, new weakness in a leg or an arm, marked loss of balance or pain that changes abruptly from the usual.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.7\">Neurological signs are also relevant. If numbness appears while walking, worsening strength, noticeable clumsiness when placing the foot, a sensation that a leg \u201cgives way\u201d, or inadequate control of the bladder or bowel, the patient should not continue walking alone. In spine surgery, these findings deserve prompt medical evaluation because they may indicate a complication that requires review.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.7\">There are other less dramatic but important symptoms: wound bleeding, persistent fluid leakage, fever, chills, progressive redness of the operated area or disproportionate pain when moving the trunk. In these cases, walking may still be theoretically beneficial, but first it is necessary to know whether the problem is an expected discomfort or a complication that requires attention. Common sense is clear here: if something worsens with each attempt to walk, do not persist without consulting.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"como-se-diagnostica\" style=\"margin-top:32px;margin-bottom:12px\">How it is diagnosed: imaging and examination<\/h2>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.7\">The decision to start <strong>postoperative walking<\/strong> is not based solely on a calendar date, but on clinical evaluation. The first tool is the physical examination: check if the patient is awake, oriented, stable when sitting up, with sufficient strength in the limbs, without new neurological symptoms and with controlled pain. Blood pressure, pulse, tolerance to posture changes and wound safety are also assessed.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.7\">Imaging tests are not routinely requested to decide every walk, but they may be necessary if a complication arises. An X-ray, CT scan or MRI can be used to review implant position, decompression, alignment, a suspected hematoma, an implant problem or a cerebrospinal fluid leak, which is the fluid that surrounds the central nervous system. If there is neurological loss or atypical pain, imaging helps differentiate a normal course from a true surgical problem.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.7\">In many recoveries, the decision is primarily functional: if the patient can sit, stand up with assistance and take safe steps without warning signs, the team usually favors the start of <strong>postoperative walking<\/strong> under supervision. If they cannot do it stably, walking is delayed or performed with technical assistance, such as a walker or physical assistance, until the risk is acceptable.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"alternativas-de-tratamiento-no-quirurgicas\" style=\"margin-top:32px;margin-bottom:12px\">Non-surgical treatment alternatives<\/h2>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.7\">Although the central topic is walking after surgery, it is worth remembering that recovery does not depend on walking alone. Postoperative pain is managed with prescribed medication, ice or heat when indicated, postural hygiene techniques, gentle mobilization in bed, breathing exercises and, in some cases, early physiotherapy. All of this is part of a broader strategy to make <strong>postoperative walking<\/strong> possible and safe.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.7\">Pain control is fundamental. If the patient is in too much pain they will not walk well; if they are overly sedated by analgesics, they will not either. Therefore, a balance is sought: sufficient analgesia to move, but without losing mental clarity or stability. In addition, hydration, prevention of constipation and rest interspersed with gentle activity help ensure that walking does not become an exhausting test.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.7\">In spine surgeries with certain restrictions, it may be useful to teach from the beginning how to get out of bed using a log-rolling technique, how to sit and how to turn the trunk without sudden twists. These measures do not replace walking, but allow the patient to reach it in better conditions. The goal is not to move for the sake of moving, but to recover function safely and with realistic progression.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"alternativas-quirurgicas\" style=\"margin-top:32px;margin-bottom:12px\">Surgical alternatives<\/h2>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.7\">The timing and manner of walking change according to the surgery performed. After a simple decompression, <strong>postoperative walking<\/strong> usually starts early because segment stability is often better preserved. After a spinal fusion, which consists of joining two or more vertebrae to stabilize the spine, walking is also encouraged early, but with more caution regarding flexion, rotation and load. In cervical surgeries, monitoring balance, swallowing and neck mobility becomes more important.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.7\">Minimally invasive techniques, which use smaller incisions and less tissue trauma, often allow faster mobilization. However, \u201cfaster\u201d does not mean \u201cwithout limits\u201d. Even in this context, the patient needs a concrete plan: when to get up, how long to walk, whether assistance is required and which movements to avoid. In complex surgery, with implants, multiple levels or prior reoperations, the pace is usually more conservative.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.7\">The essential thing is to understand that surgery and walking are part of the same recovery process. The operation solves an anatomic cause; <strong>postoperative walking<\/strong> helps retrain the body to return to daily life without turning rest into a second source of problems.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"beneficios-riesgos-y-efectos-adversos\" style=\"margin-top:32px;margin-bottom:12px\">Benefits, risks and adverse effects<\/h2>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.7\">The benefits of early walking are well known. The first is the prevention of immobility-related complications: lower risk of clots, better lung ventilation and reduced likelihood of prolonged stiffness. The second is functional: the patient regains a sense of control over their body sooner. The third is metabolic and digestive: walking promotes intestinal transit and reduces the feeling of a \u201cstopped body\u201d that many people describe after surgery.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.7\">Additionally, moving early can help limit fear of movement, a very common phenomenon after back surgery. The sooner the patient sees that they can get up safely, the easier it is for surgical pain not to become chronic fear. This psychological benefit does not replace tissue healing, but it does improve the postoperative experience.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.7\">Risks exist and that is why the plan is individualized. Walking too soon, too far or without assistance can increase pain, cause falls, extreme fatigue or destabilize a patient with low blood pressure. It may also be inappropriate if there is a drain, a neurological deficit or a specific indication for partial rest. In other words, the problem is not walking; the problem is walking without criteria. <strong>Postoperative walking<\/strong> should be therapeutic, not heroic.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"criterios-de-derivacion-al-especialista\" style=\"margin-top:32px;margin-bottom:12px\">Criteria for referral to a specialist<\/h2>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.7\">Not all patients need the same intensity of follow-up, but it is advisable that the specialist re-evaluates the patient if pain worsens instead of improving, if walking becomes increasingly unsafe or if neurological symptoms appear. Referral is also warranted for those who, after a few reasonable first days, fail to progress in <strong>postoperative walking<\/strong> or cannot tolerate standing up due to dizziness, weakness or disproportionate pain.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.7\">Referral is especially important if the patient has multilevel surgery, long fusion, bone fragility, a history of falls, prior neurological diseases or concerns about wound integrity. In these cases, the walking plan should be reviewed more precisely. It is also reasonable to reassess someone who feels that recovery \u201chas stalled\u201d and is unsure whether what they feel is within expected limits.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.7\">The practical rule is simple: if the patient understands what they can do, how long they should walk and which signs require stopping, recovery usually goes better. If they do not understand it, the plan is not clear enough and should be reviewed.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"tiempos-de-recuperacion-realistas\" style=\"margin-top:32px;margin-bottom:12px\">Realistic recovery times<\/h2>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.7\">Times vary greatly, but there are useful patterns. In many procedures, <strong>postoperative walking<\/strong> begins the same day or the next day. During the first week, it is common to alternate rest with short, frequent walks, avoiding long walks that trigger pain. In the second and third weeks, if the course is good, duration is typically increased gradually. After a few weeks, the goal is not only to walk, but to walk better: with less fear, better posture and greater tolerance for effort.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.7\">However, mobility should not be confused with complete healing. One thing is being able to walk around the house or go for a controlled walk; another is returning to lifting heavy loads, driving without restrictions, playing sports or standing for long hours. In spine surgery, deep structures can take weeks or months to consolidate. The patient may feel considerably better before biological recovery is truly complete.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.7\">Therefore, an important idea is: walking helps a lot, but it does not speed up everything equally. It improves circulation, function and confidence, but it does not make a bony fusion an instant process. The best result comes when <strong>postoperative walking<\/strong> is combined with caution, patience and a realistic progression.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"cuando-acudir-a-urgencias\" style=\"margin-top:32px;margin-bottom:12px\">When to go to the emergency room<\/h2>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.7\">There are situations where a follow-up appointment is not enough. If after surgery there is sudden loss of strength, marked difficulty walking, loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness in the perineal area, high fever with worsening pain, significant bleeding or a wound that discharges worryingly, the patient should go to the emergency room. Chest pain, shortness of breath, painful swelling of a leg or any sign suggesting a systemic complication are also reasons for immediate attention.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.7\">If dizziness is intense when standing up, if the person falls, if the pain is unbearable despite prescribed medication or if weakness progresses while trying to walk, do not wait for it to \u201cgo away by itself.\u201d Walking after spine surgery must be safe; when it stops being so, the priority is to evaluate the reason rather than insist.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"mitos-y-realidades\" style=\"margin-top:32px;margin-bottom:12px\">Myths and realities<\/h2>\n<h3 style=\"margin-top:24px;margin-bottom:8px\">Myth: \u201cAfter spine surgery, the best thing is not to move at all\u201d<\/h3>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.7\">Reality: prolonged absolute rest is usually counterproductive. In most cases, early and controlled <strong>postoperative walking<\/strong> helps more than staying in bed for days.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"margin-top:24px;margin-bottom:8px\">Myth: \u201cIf walking hurts a little, it means I am damaging the surgery\u201d<\/h3>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.7\">Reality: a certain level of discomfort is common when starting to move. What matters is that pain is not progressive, disproportionate or accompanied by neurological symptoms.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"margin-top:24px;margin-bottom:8px\">Myth: \u201cThe more I walk, the faster I will heal\u201d<\/h3>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.7\">Reality: recovery does not depend on forcing walking, but on walking the right amount and progressively. More is not always better.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"margin-top:24px;margin-bottom:8px\">Myth: \u201cIf I feel well, I can already walk without limits\u201d<\/h3>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.7\">Reality: feeling better does not mean tissues are fully healed. <strong>Postoperative walking<\/strong> should follow the restrictions of each surgery even if the patient feels relief.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"margin-top:24px;margin-bottom:8px\">Myth: \u201cWalking only serves to be more comfortable\u201d<\/h3>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.7\">Reality: walking also helps prevent immobility complications and promotes better overall functional recovery.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"preguntas-frecuentes\" style=\"margin-top:32px;margin-bottom:12px\">Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n<h3 style=\"margin-top:24px;margin-bottom:8px\">When can I walk for the first time after spine surgery?<\/h3>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.7\">In many cases, the first walk is started the same day or the next day, always with assistance and according to the technique used. The exact timing of <strong>postoperative walking<\/strong> must be individualized.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"margin-top:24px;margin-bottom:8px\">How long should I walk at the beginning?<\/h3>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.7\">Very short and frequent walks are usually preferred rather than a single long walk. It is appropriate to gradually increase duration according to tolerance.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"margin-top:24px;margin-bottom:8px\">Is it normal to have pain when walking?<\/h3>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.7\">Yes, some discomfort can be normal at the start. What is worrisome is pain that clearly worsens, prevents proper weight-bearing or is accompanied by weakness, dizziness or neurological symptoms.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"margin-top:24px;margin-bottom:8px\">Does walking really help me recover?<\/h3>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.7\">Yes. <strong>Postoperative walking<\/strong> promotes circulation, reduces stiffness, aids lung function and improves autonomy. It does not replace the rest of the plan, but it is a central piece.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"margin-top:24px;margin-bottom:8px\">Can I walk alone if I feel safe?<\/h3>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.7\">At first, not always. Many people need supervision or assistance to get up and take the first steps safely. Independence comes gradually.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"margin-top:24px;margin-bottom:8px\">Should I walk even if I have a drain or brace?<\/h3>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.7\">It depends on the surgery and the given instructions. In some cases, walking is done with a drain or with an orthosis, which is the technical name for a brace or external support.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"margin-top:24px;margin-bottom:8px\">What if I walk less one day?<\/h3>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.7\">A single day is usually not a problem. Recovery is evaluated by overall trend, not one day alone. Nevertheless, if walking worsens for several consecutive days, it is advisable to consult.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"margin-top:24px;margin-bottom:8px\">Can walking replace physiotherapy?<\/h3>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.7\">Not always. Walking is an excellent base, but some patients need physiotherapy to learn to move better, gain strength and return to usual activities safely.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"margin-top:24px;margin-bottom:8px\">Why do they insist so much on not staying in bed?<\/h3>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.7\">Because prolonged rest increases stiffness, delays functional recovery and promotes complications derived from immobility. That is why <strong>postoperative walking<\/strong> is usually recommended early.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"glosario\" style=\"margin-top:32px;margin-bottom:12px\">Glossary of medical terms<\/h2>\n<ul style=\"margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.7\">\n<li><strong>Arthrodesis<\/strong>: surgical fusion of two or more vertebrae to stabilize a segment of the spine.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Ambulation<\/strong>: the act of walking; in the postoperative context, it refers to early and progressive gait.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Decompression<\/strong>: surgery intended to relieve compressed nervous structures.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Surgical pain<\/strong>: expected discomfort related to the operation and tissue healing.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Physiotherapy<\/strong>: treatment with exercises and physical techniques aimed at recovering function, mobility and strength.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Hematoma<\/strong>: accumulation of blood in a tissue; after surgery, it may require evaluation if it compresses structures.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Orthosis<\/strong>: external device, such as a brace, that helps stabilize or protect a body area.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Radiculopathy<\/strong>: involvement of a nerve root that can produce pain, tingling or weakness.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Deep vein thrombosis<\/strong>: formation of a clot in a deep vein, usually in the leg.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Cerebrospinal fluid<\/strong>: fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord and acts as protection and cushioning.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"referencias\" style=\"margin-top:32px;margin-bottom:12px\">References<\/h2>\n<ul style=\"margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.7\">\n<li>AANS, Herniated Disc, 2024: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aans.org\/patients\/conditions-treatments\/herniated-disc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.aans.org\/patients\/conditions-treatments\/herniated-disc\/<\/a><\/li>\n<li>AANS, Low Back Pain, 2024: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aans.org\/patients\/conditions-treatments\/low-back-pain\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.aans.org\/patients\/conditions-treatments\/low-back-pain\/<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Mayo Clinic, Back surgery: When is it a good idea?, 2024: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/diseases-conditions\/back-pain\/in-depth\/back-surgery\/art-20048274\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/diseases-conditions\/back-pain\/in-depth\/back-surgery\/art-20048274<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Mayo Clinic, Spinal fusion, 2024: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/tests-procedures\/spinal-fusion\/about\/pac-20384523\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/tests-procedures\/spinal-fusion\/about\/pac-20384523<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Mayo Clinic Health System, 9 questions to ask your spine surgeon, 2021: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org\/hometown-health\/speaking-of-health\/9-questions-to-ask-your-spine-surgeon\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org\/hometown-health\/speaking-of-health\/9-questions-to-ask-your-spine-surgeon<\/a><\/li>\n<li>NICE, Low back pain and sciatica in over 16s: assessment and management, 2016: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nice.org.uk\/guidance\/ng59\/chapter\/Recommendations\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.nice.org.uk\/guidance\/ng59\/chapter\/Recommendations<\/a><\/li>\n<li>NICE, Spinal injury: assessment and initial management, 2016: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nice.org.uk\/guidance\/ng41\/chapter\/Recommendations\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.nice.org.uk\/guidance\/ng41\/chapter\/Recommendations<\/a><\/li>\n<li>PubMed, Validation of the Benefits of Ambulation Within 8 Hours of Elective Cervical and Lumbar Surgery, 2022: <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/35550477\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/35550477\/<\/a><\/li>\n<li>PubMed, Early ambulation versus prolonged bed rest for incidental durotomies in spine procedures, 2023: <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/37989906\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/37989906\/<\/a><\/li>\n<li>PubMed, Summary of the best evidence for early mobilization after lumbar spinal fusion surgery, 2025: <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/41327168\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/41327168\/<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"margin-top:32px;padding:16px;background:#f4f6f8;border-left:4px solid #0B2545\"><strong>Notice: this content is for educational and informational purposes only and does not replace assessment, diagnosis or treatment by a qualified healthcare professional. If you have any symptoms, consult a physician. <strong>Postoperative walking<\/strong> must always be adapted to the individual indication after spine surgery.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-top:24px;line-height:1.7\">If symptoms persist or worsen, the most prudent step is to <a href=\"https:\/\/complexspineinstitute.com\/en\/request-evaluation\/\">request an evaluation<\/a> with a spine specialist, who can assess your specific case and advise on the most appropriate options.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The postoperative walking after spine surgery usually begins earlier than many patients imagine: sometimes the same day, with assistance, and other times the following day, depending on the type of procedure, the overall condition and the surgeon&#8217;s specific instructions. Walking is not a minor detail; it is part of recovery because it helps reactivate circulation, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":9455,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_title":"Walking after spine surgery: when and how much it helps","rank_math_description":"Find out when to start walking after spine surgery, how to do it safely, and what real benefits it brings to recovery.","rank_math_focus_keyword":"postoperative walking","footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9457","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-neurosurgery-blog"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/complexspineinstitute.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9457","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/complexspineinstitute.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/complexspineinstitute.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/complexspineinstitute.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/complexspineinstitute.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9457"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/complexspineinstitute.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9457\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9461,"href":"https:\/\/complexspineinstitute.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9457\/revisions\/9461"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/complexspineinstitute.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9455"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/complexspineinstitute.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9457"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/complexspineinstitute.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9457"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/complexspineinstitute.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9457"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}