Spinal Fusion - 6 months. How long after spinal fusion can I bend? A return to normal day to day activities may be possible between 4 to 6 months. This type of pain is called neurogenic or neuropathic pain. The recovery time following a spinal fusion depends on the person, the extent of the surgery, previous major surgeries, your age, your lifestyle, and your overall health. If you have questions about your upcoming spinal fusion surgery, be sure to reach out to our team at (212) 506-0232, so we can put your mind at ease. They vary greatly, which is why it matters what brand you buy. The more you walk, the faster you youll heal. If you sustained nerve damage before or during the surgery, the timeline can extend to 2 full years of healing time. 5 Roundwood Lane With this in mind, many patients seek out ways to shorten their recovery and get back on their feet faster.. . is a fellowship trained, board certified orthopedic surgeon who has been practicing since 1999 and specializes in complex spinal treatment. Commonly hardware is added to enhance the stability while the disc spaces and other areas grow bone. When youre considering spinal fusion, one of your main concerns may be how much surgery may hurt. Cho, S., Kim, S., Ha, S. et al. During this time your doctor will monitor your blood oxygen levels and may order other tests. Yes, you absolutely can. Known as adjacent segment disease, or ASD, this potential complication of spinal fusion occurs when the fused segments increase the strain on the surrounding segments. Whats More Effective? . We are now going to continue with the discussion of Prolotherapy. If you have a physically strenuous job, your physical therapist can tailor your exercise program to include work conditioning. will tell you the specific Dos and Don'ts of your surgery when the time comes, but there are some general guidelines to follow. Putting undue stress on a bone that needs healing often exacerbates an injury. Avoid lifting or carry anything heavier than around 2-3kg (e.g.a kettle of water). We will be in touch with you shortly. During a spinal fusion surgery, Dr. Regan uses screws or rods to fuse two of your vertebrae together, resulting in a more stabilized spine. Disagreement was defined as the situation in which at least one-third of the panellists scored in each of the sections 13 and 79 . Located in Atlanta, Savannah, Conyers, Forest Park, Augusta, Macon and Decatur, GA, Outpatient physical therapy can usually start at around four to six weeks, but it may be sooner or later depending on the patient, Physical therapy and rehabilitation is critical to improving range of motion and strengthening the area around the spine, To begin the process of being able to return to a physical job, patients can also begin work-specific rehabilitation, often called work hardening, Patients will be advised on when to resume certain activities, including driving, lifting and more strenuous exercise. I was still taking pain meds throughout the day but had started weaning myself off the Oxycodone. After the disc is removed, bone grafts are used to coax the two vertebrae to fuse into a single bony segment. Laminectomy is the removal of a bony area called the lamina. Placement is maintained by the use of the appropriate size titanium screws and perhaps a plate or rod if the pathology is severe. What you eat plays a big role in your overall mental and physical health. The recovery process from lumbar fusion surgery is a lengthy recovery process. The 3 months of rest after your surgery are essential, but they result in a loss of muscle tone, muscle strength, and range of motion. Although the recovery process can be frustrating, a successful surgery is so worth the result! Log in, The opinions expressed above are 100% my own. Read on to learn what to expect at each stage of the recovery process after spinal fusion surgery. Christopher J. Bergin, M.D. I had a patient once who had a problem with her neck. Once the fusion sets, the effects are permanent, so the results can last for life. In those first two weeks, you should not do any sort of exercises or stretching while you are recovering at home. But how does that help? You should stretch and move around to take the pressure off of your lower back. You still need to avoid bending at the back, twisting your spine, and lifting heavy objects because these activities put strain on the segments of your spine before theyve fully fused together. After the fusion surgery, the postoperative team will check vitals and ensure the patient is in stable condition. Advanced imaging technology used to plan the surgery with 3D images of the patient, Microscopes used to light and magnify the operative field, Detailed intraoperative imaging and visualization that allows for precise instrument and implant positioning, Extradural spinal hematoma, which involves bleeding within the spinal column, Incidental durotomy, which occurs when spinal fluid leaks, Accidental injury to the nerves when theyre repositioned during the operation, Accidental injury to the blood vessels that deliver blood to the spinal cord. Paraspinal muscle changes after single-level posterior lumbar fusion: volumetric analyses and literature review. after spinal fusion, but your recovery journey starts immediately after your surgery. If your back still hurts years after spinal fusion, its likely due to increased stress and degeneration of the adjacent spinal segments. If the screws are not drilled into exactly the right place, they can damage the nerves. With minimally invasive fusion procedures, shorter hospital stays and a faster recovery is expected. I was able to do small household tasks, like folding laundry and making a grilled cheese sandwich. Ask your doctor when its safe and which positions cause less back strain. You still need to be careful and avoid vigorous activities but can begin increasing your activities slowly. One of the goals of spinal fusion is to improve mobility. Learn more about our treatments for back pain. When Can I Travel After Spinal Fusion Surgery Call us today to schedule a virtual visit, What to Expect After Spinal Fusion Surgery. Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep each night. For best recovery, you should: Exercise is an important part of your recovery at this point. If you are experiencing severe leg pain after a fusion operation, its important to determine the cause. Your Journey to Healthy Fusion Recovery From One to Six Months. While systematic reviews on MBSR for chronic pain have been conducted, there are no reviews for specific pain conditions. Read Also: Breast Pain Years After Breast Reduction. [2] [7] In some, the degree of curve is stable, while in others, it increases over time. It'sBeen an incredibly emotional six weeks since my spinal fusion, the mental battle is equally as challenging if not more and the physical battle. I no longer needed the walker. To learn more about spinal fusions, schedule an appointment at our Beverly Hills or Santa Monica, California office today. You still need to avoid bending, twisting, and lifting, but should be able to resume cardio and stretching your stiff muscles. Life After Spinal Fusion Surgery: A Month-By-Month Breakdown of My Spinal Fusion Recovery. In the United States - Caution: The TOPS System is an investigational Device. Mental strength can help, but the reality is that there is an underlying cause of the pain that needs to be addressed. If you're contemplating having a spinal fusion, it's a good idea to get a second or even third opinion from different surgeons, and also . And then you need to look at an extremely important factor most health professionals ignore: your pain system. These are a few complaints to expect six months after spinal fusion surgery; Back sore This is probably the most common complaint from people after spinal fusion surgery. The surgery is done to help stabilize your spine, reduce pain, or address spine issues, such as scoliosis.. This includes stopping things like: Exercise (running, bike riding, weight lifting, etc.) Spinal fusion isnt right for everyone, but if youre struggling with back pain, you might consider spinal fusion when conservative options just arent working. This is done because the spine is unstable because of an injury, or because the spine needs to be fixed in place because of pain. Dr. Fineberg is excited to be able to help with any and all of his patients back or spine-related issues. Over time, theres an increasing proportion of people where the segments above and below the fusion quickly become worn. It follows that you should try to. Most patients who stick with PT ditch the walker a few days after surgery and can move around with a cane. The discs that sit between the vertebrae in the spinal column are designed to cushion the spine and enable bending and flexing. You can also check out other posts on our Healthy Spine Blog to learn more about spinal health. In addition to getting the rest needed for proper healing. Can Spinal Fusion Cause Problems Later in Life? Average scores on the single assessment numeric evaluation (SANE) exam are 80%, 91% and 96% at eight weeks, six months and 12 months after surgery, respectively. For now, lift nothing heavier than 8-10 pounds. Eating the right foods help your body heal and reduces swelling and inflammation. Your recovery will depend on your personal health, condition, and procedure. I needed help with just about everything else, including getting in and out of the shower and dressing myself. If your back pain isnt responding to conservative treatments, a spinal fusion can help you find the relief you need from spinal pain. Complete recovery can take up to eight months or more, so allow yourself plenty of time and dont push yourself too fast. What may happen is that the person goes in with back pain and ends up with back pain and nerve pain, because the nerves were stretched or damaged during the operation. You might experience back sore after you wake up in the morning, no matter what level of surgery you had. This degeneration is most likely to happen after a two-level fusion and in a young patient . If you absolutely have to, be sure to lift by bending your knees, not your back. Not only that, but eating fiber-rich foods and drinking plenty of water can also help you avoid post-op constipation. When the L4-L5 level is included in the spine fusion it transfers a lot of stress to L3-L4. 6-12 Months Post-Surgery Most patients fully recover around 8 months post-surgery. Any of these four errors can cause nerve damage, giving you pain running down your leg. Coping. Today, Dr. Fineberg consistently interacts with and contributes to a growing body of research regarding the identification and treatment of congenital deformations, spinal defects, and diseases of the vertebral column. My pain was manageable; most of the time I felt stiffness and/or discomfort, rather than actual pain. Physical and occupational therapists will work closely with patients to teach certain things. The benefits of walking give you a cardiovascular boost and aid your digestive system. The upshot? When conservative treatments arent working for your herniated disc, surgery might be the right path forward. Symptoms of hardware failure are often similar to the symptoms that patients experience before spinal fusion: persistent back pain and/or weakness, tingling, and numbness. Six months after spinal fusion, you can expect to start the final stages of the recovery process. Hello Dance Club USF Dancers!. Eat a healthy diet. Additionally, inflammation in the tissues surrounding spinal nerves can cause nerve damage after fusion. Back braces provide mechanical stabilization of the spine, helping to limit motion and avoid any bending or twisting. Pain and instability in the vertebral joints of the lower spine cause many people to seek medical help. to ensure that we heal as quickly and completely as possible. Neither does your pharmacist or your physical therapist. The first way is that when the surgeon does the laminectomy, theyre using a sharp instrument to cut through bone. Shah N. Siddiqi, M.D., F.R.C.S. With a failed fusion, the patients initial symptoms may return, or they may experience new problems. Heres a case study of a lady who had pain following spinal fusion, and was able to dramatically reduce it without surgery or drugs. Spinal fusion isnt right for everyone, but if youre struggling with back pain, you might consider spinal fusion when conservative options just arent working. Let your partner or kids carry the groceries or laundry. I tried and it really hurt my back and legs. It doesnt have to be. These exercises will help you regain muscle tone, strength, fitness, as well as flexibility and mobility. You should walk every day to assist with healing and build up your strength. Our backs are the part of our bodies that allow us to perform nearly all daily activities. While your doctor can tell you more about what you may expect long-term, most patients who undergo a spinal fusion benefit for many years to come. Spinal fusion surgery is a life-changing procedure for those in chronic pain from scoliosis, arthritis, an accident, a herniated disk, or some serious back injuries. Neuropathic pain occurs when the nerves or spinal cord become damaged. Everyones recovery timeline can look slightly different depending on factors such as their overall health, ability to exercise, ability to heal, weight, and more. In this blog, Dr. Regan highlights what to expect immediately after surgery and in the weeks and months following your spinal fusion.