These gifts for patients healing after back surgery are based on a doctor’s recovery tips for different types of spinal injuries and surgeries. After the stress of back surgery, patients may feel discouraged and tired. Every gift for back surgery recovery on this list is supported by a tip for healing from a spinal cord surgeon.

A Mini Fridge for ice, water, and juice is a thoughtful, practical back surgery recovery gift. Whether the patient is healing from a spine fusion, a laminectomy, or a discectomy (the most common types of back surgery), he can’t get out of bed and run up and down the stairs during recovery. A mini-fridge by the bed allows for a stockpile of ice packs, water, juice, snacks, and other essentials for the day.

The following gift ideas for people healing from back surgery aren’t sexy, but they are practical and helpful. They’re for patients who have been discharged after back surgery, and are healing at home.

Healing After Back Surgery – Gifts for Recovery

This list of gifts don’t include the obvious magazines, books, or funny movies to help back patients stay happy. Nor do they include bouquets of flowers, chocolates, or gift baskets – though those can all be good gifts for after back surgery! I want to go beyond the typical “get well soon” gift ideas, and help patients heal from spinal surgery.

A Grabber to help with reaching after back surgery

A Nifty Nabber Pick-Up Tool with Aluminum Handle is a good gift idea for after back surgery because patients aren’t supposed to turn or twist while healing. A simple grabber can help patients pick up items off the floor and at the end of the bed – or even open their mini fridge and grab a soda pop! After they’re more mobile, the grabber can help them reach for things from an upper shelf or cupboard.

Grocery, gas, or Amazon gift cards

People recovering from back surgery may not be able to go back to work for awhile, and thus may struggle financially. A practical gift card – not one from Starbucks or iTunes – can help ease the financial pressure of healing from back surgery. An Amazon Gift Card is a good gift idea because back patients won’t be out shopping for groceries, toiletries, or other necessary items. This gift idea doesn’t focus on helping a patient heal from back surgery as much as help ease the stress of being off work and not having an income.

Transportation after back surgery

A thoughtful gift for back surgery patients is your willingness to drive them to follow-up appointments, physiotherapy sessions, and even support groups. Instead of asking your patient to call when he needs a ride, send a text or email every morning. Ask what’s lined up for the day or week, and if you can drive him to a doctor or other appointment.

If your “back surgery patient” is your sister, read Creative Gift Ideas for Sisters. The gifts aren’t practical, but they are loving and thoughtful.

Electronic reader or tablet

A wireless internet connection and something like an iPad is an essential gift for back surgery patients. They won’t be dancing jigs or running marathons while healing, and they will get bored. A light, easy to handle Samsung tablet or an Apple iPad with Wi-Fi is helpful for back surgery patients. A Kindle Fire with Wi-Fi might be the best gift idea, as it allows back surgery patients to load books and magazines, not just surf the internet.

One of the back surgeons I contacted said that logging on to supportive and informative forums can be a very helpful way to stay connected with other patients recovering from back surgery. It’s important not to let the internet consume the patient, of course.

Supportive pillows for after back surgery

After surgery, patients may need extra support for the back and neck. A BedLounge Ultimate Back Support Pillow may be above and beyond what the back doctor ordered, but it’s worth a think. A gift like this will come in handy even after the back surgery recovery is a distant memory, because the pillow is good for watching movies and even lounging in the backyard on a warm summer day.

Talk to the surgeon before buying this back surgery recovery gift, though – a memory foam wedge might be more effective. Every back surgery is different, as is every patient, and you want to make sure you get a gift that supports healing.

Satin sheets for easy sliding

Fitted Fitted Satin Bedsheets are a beautiful-yet-practical gift after back surgery: They’re not only luxurious for after back surgery, they’ll help patients slide in and out of bed quickly and easily. This is one of those thoughtful gift ideas that’s also practical. Make sure the sheets are fitted, though, else they’ll come undone.

Gift basket to comfort patients after back surgery

Here’s a wonderful gift idea for patients after back surgery: A small container or basket with comfort items the patient can easily reach (this is where the grabber comes in handy!). Fill the basket with reading materials, tissues, lip balm, water bottle with straw, snacks, phone, phone numbers, small notebook, pen, puzzles, etc.

A delicious yet healthy food gift for healing

An assortment of Chocolate Covered Strawberries isn’t a practical gift idea for after back surgery — unless you think beautiful and delicious food is practical! I do. Beauty and taste brings us hope, joy, cheer, and comfort – whether we’re back surgery recovery patients or everyday people. Beauty lifts spirits and moods, and makes us feel good. When we feel good, we heal.

A relaxing, comforting environment

Related to beauty — what does your back patient’s room look like? Is she surrounded by images of beauty and healing, art and flowers, color and light? A gift is to make sure the patient sees beautiful and healthy things when she’s recovering in bed. “Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life,” said Pablo Picasso. Can you incorporate art into your patient’s life, to help with recovery and healing?

Heating pads for post-surgery lower back pain

About two days after back surgery – depending on the type and severity of the surgery, of course – heating pads can alleviate lower back pain and discomfort. The BodyMed Digital Heating Pad includes “moist heat”, which is especially useful for pain relief associated with muscle strains and spasms, joint pain and inflammation. If you give a heating pad as a gift to a back surgery patient, make sure he knows when to use heat versus ice. Ice packs can be really good for back pain relief, and so can heating pads.

Encouragement for patients recovering from back surgery

In 20 Practical Gifts for Cancer Patients, I describe the importance of hope on healing and recovery after a major illness or health event. I don’t know how your back surgery patient is coping with discouragement and pain, but it’s always good to bring a message of joy, peace, and inspiration. If you don’t know how to bring the gift of hope and encouragement to a patient recovering from back surgery, let me know in the comments section below. I’m good at researching stuff

A cane or walker

This is definitely not the most fun gift for people healing after back surgery, but it might be essential. The cool thing about the HurryCane All-Terrain Cane; Freedom Edition pictured is that it stands up by itself! If you give this gift, get a ribbon and wind it around the cane. Make it look fun – maybe you can create a candy cane effect. Or, consider getting an ornately carved wooden cane that is not only practical, but also beautiful.

If you want to offer a gift to the person caring for the patient, read 10 Thoughtful Gifts for Caregivers.

My prayer for all back surgery patients: May you experience a full recovery from this surgery, and be able to get out of bed and walk around without any pain or discomfort! May you go back to your regular life quickly and effortlessly, whether it’s work or playing with the kids or traveling to exotic lands. May God bless you with peace, hope, and encouragement. May your faith guide you and lead you, and give you comfort and joy. I send you blessings as you heal and recover – and I also pray that you find gifts in this experience of back surgery.

What do you think of these gift ideas for people recovering from back surgery? I welcome your thoughts below.