Piedmont Orthopedic Spine Surgery
Helpful Tools to Make Your Recovery More Comfortable
Conservative Treatment Tools
Most patients attempt non-operative treatment before considering surgery for conditions such as disc herniation, spinal stenosis, or cervical radiculopathy. These tools may help manage symptoms prior to surgery.
​Cervical Traction (Before Surgery Only)
Used for temporary symptom relief in cervical radiculopathy.
Over-The-Door Traction
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Inexpensive
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Pulls up to 16 lbs​
Pneumatic Traction
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More Expensive
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Pulls with more force
May reduce arm pain or numbness
Provide gentle decompression
Offer temporary relief of nerve irritation
âť— Not recommended after recent cervical fusion or disc replacement
TENS Unit (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation)
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Used to help reduce muscle spasms and nerve-related discomfort.
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Plenty of extra pads
May help provide drug-free pain relief
Reduce muscle tightness
âť— Electrodes should never be placed over surgical incisions.
Lumbar Corset
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Provides mild stabilization and often used during conservative treatment
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Fallible enough to wear at work / exercise
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Must confirm waist size before ordering
Pneumatic lumbar traction brace
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Provides support and stretches the lumbar spine (Not used after surgery)
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Must purchase correct size
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More expensive
Ankle Foot Orthosis (AFO)
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Used for a foot drop to improve gait and ankle stability
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Inexpensive
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Used with shoelaces
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Worn in the shoe
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Must purchase right/left specific
Sacral Donut
Use for tailbone pain (coccydynia) or fractures​
Post-Surgery Recovery Tools
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After spine surgery, restrictions on bending, lifting, and twisting are common and the following devices are frequently helpful during recovery. However, not all patients will need any or all of these. Please discuss items you may need with your provider.
Walker
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Provides balance and support, while reducing fall risk
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Lightweight
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Foldable
Reacher / Grabber Tool
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Used to help minimize bending at the waist
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Claw
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Hook
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Magnet on the end
Sock Assist Tool
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Used to help minimize bending at the waist
Shower Chair
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Improves safety during bathing
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Adjustable seat height
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Back / arms can be removed if needed to fit
Raised Toilet Seat
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Reduces strain during sit-to-stand movement
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Adjustable height
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Fits most toilets
Soft Foam Cervical Collar
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Provides light support and limits sudden neck movement.
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Most patients need the 3"
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Option to choose 2" for shorter neck
Lumbosacral Orthosis (LSO)
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More rigid brace that limits bending and twisting.
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Adjustable waist size
Preparing Your Home Before Surgery
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Remove loose rugs and trip hazards
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Move frequently used items to waist height
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Prepare easy meals
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Arrange assistance for the first 1–2 weeks
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Create a comfortable recovery area
Educational Disclosure
The product links provided are examples of commonly available medical devices for patient convenience. Our practice does not receive compensation for these links. All of these items can be commonly found at retail locations and various online vendors. Patients should consult their surgeon before purchasing or using any medical equipment.