The better you adhere to the recovery plan, the sooner you'll be able to return to your normal. While a patient can hardly control their age, and there's little that can be done to improve fitness levels by the time you're discussing surgery, there are still several aspects of recovery that are within the patient's control, which we will discuss in detail below. At this point, you will be feeling better every week. The upshot? Dr. Baig, our top spine specialist, wont normally perform this procedure unless non-surgical treatments are ineffective, as therapeutic treatments can often help you avoid the need for surgery.But if Dr. Baig determines that the potentially long-lasting and life-changing benefits of spinal fusion outweigh the risks, spinal fusion may be the best solution for you. I had a patient once who had a problem with her neck. Dont twist or bend at the back. Your surgeon may have used screws or plates to brace you while it heals- but this doesn't hold up forever! You should continue to sleep well, eat well, and keep moving. 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. I had my fusion on March 6. 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. Six months after spinal fusion, you can expect to start the final stages of the recovery process. Whats that? You can read more about these broad milestones and when theyll occur below. Apart from permanent restrictions after spinal fusion surgery, it is important to know what to expect during the first three months subsequent to surgery. This does not present as much of a problem for elderly patients, since they tend to not be as active nor do they have the fusion for as many years. We have learned from patients that it is smart to wear a form-fitting undershirt or tank top underneath the brace for comfort. They will work closely with you to determine the best course of action to help you enjoy life the way you want to. In the United States - Caution: The TOPS System is an investigational Device. Realize that you still need to be careful and follow your doctors recommendations, but you will be able to perform more daily activities during this time. If spinal fusion is the best course of treatment, our comprehensive physical therapy and rehabilitation center can help patients maximize their recovery period in one convenient location. will tell you the specific Dos and Don'ts of your surgery when the time comes, but there are some general guidelines to follow. After a spinal fusion surgery, patients can expect to stay in the hospital for two to three days while you're monitored by your medical team. What To Expect 6 Months After Spinal Fusion The first 6 months after a lumbar fusion surgery, your body is healing the bones and muscles that were stretched. Older patients or those with lower fitness levels can take up to 46 months to heal properly. It follows that you should try to avoid bending, lifting, and twisting with your back muscles at all for the first few weeks after surgery (consult with your surgeon to determine an exact timeline). This prepares your body for your regular work and teaches you to perform work tasks safely. This can happen because the level above or below a segment that has been successfully fused can break down and become a pain generator. This didnt end up with a good post-surgery result. If there is continued pain after surgery despite adequate time to heal and rehabilitate, then further workup may be warranted to find if there is a new lesion or a different type of problem that could contribute to the patients pain. Cho, S., Kim, S., Ha, S. et al. In this blog, we cover six ways parents can help their child with scoliosis. Not only that, but eating. After the disc is removed, bone grafts are used to coax the two vertebrae to fuse into a single bony segment. Because of this, as well as the effect that opioids have on coordination and drowsiness, there is absolutely no driving allowed after your surgery. In this article, well explore common problems from spinal fusion to consider before undergoing the procedure. How Long After Back Surgery Can You Bend Over? In this article, we'll explore strategies for shortening your spinal fusion surgery recovery and maintaining lasting pain relief. The next 3 months are all about reducing overall stiffness and gaining back your strength. This operation joins two vertebrae (spinal bones) into a single unit, and it is proven to eliminate or reduce back pain. Persistent Spinal Pain Syndrome Type 2 (PSPS Type 2), formerly known as Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS), refers to patients with persistent or new pain after spinal surgery for back or leg pain. If you have been in severe pain for longer than 3 months, its likely your pain system has become sensitised, and this can have a big effect on your successful recovery. Dr. John Regan and our expert team at Spine Group Beverly Hills perform minimally invasive spinal fusions at our offices in Beverley Hills and Santa Monica, California. Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep each night. While you may not feel like getting up and being active, its important to move around slowly and carefully after your surgery. Dont lift anything heavier than a gallon of milk. The graft is inserted between the vertebrae and then rods and screws are placed. Radicular pain is a type of neuropathic pain that radiates from one part of the body to another. P.O. The Road To Recovery after Spine Surgery 6 A fusion stabilizes the vertebrae of the spine creating less chance for slippage of the discs. After a lumbar fusion surgery, you need to allow the fusion an adequate amount of time to heal and progress before testing its strength through exercise and rigorous physical therapy. However, it is important to listen to your body and not overdo it. The following movements should be specifically avoided during this period: Heavy lifting. All Rights Reserved, complications after spinal fusion surgery, few things your doctor would strictly NOT allow, Back Pain after Eating: Causes, Treatment, and Prevention, Upper Back Pain When Breathing: Causes and Treatment, Thoracic Back Pain: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment. The nerve root can take a long time to heal from a lumbar decompression , making it difficult to gauge the outcome of the surgery. With all motion eliminated at the fused segment, patients cant bend, twist, and flex as much as they used to. Patients with a failed fusion may experience spinal mobility limitations that go beyond the normal restrictions associated with fusion. Paraspinal muscle changes after single-level posterior lumbar fusion: volumetric analyses and literature review. Our backs are the part of our bodies that allow us to perform nearly all daily activities. From walking and dancing to bathing and just putting on a pair of pants, the healthier our back is, the easier it is to go about our business as usual. Spine Conditions that the TOPS System Cures. Hello Dance Club USF Dancers!. Understand that it's normal for pain to persist for up to three months, and some patients even continue to experience it for up to six months. You may be tempted to try certain activities earlier than recommended, especially if you were active before your surgery. Ive even seen fusions where the surgeon has stuck a screw right into the joint. Log in, The opinions expressed above are 100% my own. In fact, experts often encourage patients to get up and start moving around the morning after their surgery. . Spinal fusion is a surgical intervention that treats herniated discs, scoliosis, spinal stenosis, and even vertebrae fractures. Chronic neck pain is nothing short of misery, but which treatment is right for you? Smoking reduces your ability to heal. When conservative treatments arent working for your herniated disc, surgery might be the right path forward. It follows that you should try to. A good diet can also reduce constipation. . This is why you need to avoid the following movements after spinal fusion, so as to avoid any kind of strain on the fused segments of the spine: Twisting Bending Excess lifting Keep in mind that even after the fused vertebrae have fully healed, patients must still adhere to certain restrictions. once per month - call 847-628-8147 to confirm, Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF), Total Disc Arthroplasty & Total Disc Replacement, Non-operative Treatment of Idiopathic Scoliosis, Treatment of Degenerative Spondylolisthesis. All statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS for Windows version 25. Spinal fusion uses techniques that mimic the bodys healing process when youve broken a bone. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTCs 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.. For example, if you break an arm, you're likely going to protect it in a cast or sling and keep from using it until it's had time to heal, right? For example, objects if possible. When the L4-L5 level is included in the spine fusion it transfers a lot of stress to L3-L4. provides to you, and exercise will help strength in your back, but you must wait until the fusion itself wouldn't be at risk of damage. During the first few days after surgery, you must be careful with your activities. Spinal fusion can cause problems later in life, namely hardware failure, adjacent segment disease (ASD), or spinal muscle injuries. 1 to 2 Years Most patients are fully recovered at around 8 months after spinal fusion surgery. For example, avoid lifting heavy objects if possible. Follow your doctors recommendations and increase your activities slowly. However, you will have to set a limit to it. With a failed fusion, the patients initial symptoms may return, or they may experience new problems. I'd been "doing nothing" up to this point and it wasn't working, so this wasn't really a viable option for me. Pain medication can also contribute to nausea and constipation. Also follow these tips for an optimal recovery: Exercise is an important part of your recovery process and is not to be neglected. If you have back problems that are interfering with your daily life. This caused her to have a pelvic fracture soon after the operation. Log in, The opinions expressed above are 100% my own. Physical and occupational therapists will work closely with patients to teach certain things. This is sometimes called adjacent-segment disease. Try different pillow heights and firmness to see whats most comfortable for you. Whats More Effective? Learn More About Minimally Invasive Fusion Surgery at Spine Center Atlanta. He has conducted his own original studies, presented more than 150 times at multiple medical conferences, and contributed to scores of scholarly papers and medical publications. Immediately after spinal fusion surgery, recovery begins with a stay in the hospital for at least the first 2-4 days. Avoid lifting or carry anything heavier than around 2-3kg (e.g.a kettle of water). If you start to feel pain, stop and rest. Follow the "BLT" of spine surgery recovery by limiting your bending, lifting and twisting for 2 to 3 months. Additionally, inflammation in the tissues surrounding spinal nerves can cause nerve damage after fusion. The recovery time can take a few weeks, up to three months. Do nothing. It may result from one of the following problems during the procedure: The best alternative to lumbar spinal fusion is an advanced non-fusion implant, like the TOPS System. . What to Expect. You should walk every day to assist with healing and build up your strength. To help you fully understand the recovery process, were happy to share the following guide on what to expect six months after spinal fusion. In this blog, Dr. Regan highlights what to expect immediately after surgery and in the weeks and months following your spinal fusion. What you eat plays a big role in your overall mental and physical health. Decompression of the lumbar spine will usually relieve the patients leg pain directly after the back surgery. An October 2021 paper published in the European Federation of National Associations of Orthopaedics and Traumatology Open Review examined who was at higher risk for developing adjacent segment degeneration following a spinal fusion. They vary greatly, which is why it matters what brand you buy. Avoid long car rides and strenuous activities until Dr. Regan gives you the green light. You can also check out other posts on our Healthy Spine Blog to learn more about spinal health. Call your doctor if you experience signs of an infection such as redness, tenderness, swelling, drainage, chills, or fever higher than 101 F. You still need to avoid bending, twisting, and lifting, but should be able to resume cardio and stretching your stiff muscles. The spine surgery may have involved removing bone (laminectomy or foraminotomy) or disc material (discectomy) or a fusion of the spinal segment or . A month or two after your surgery, your back should be well on its way to healing. The benefits of walking give you a cardiovascular boost and aid your digestive system. This degeneration is most likely to happen after a two-level fusion and in a young patient . BELGRADE, Mont., Nov. 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Xtant Medical Holdings, Inc. (NYSE American: XTNT), a global medical technology company focused on surgical solutions for the tr By following these tips, you will set yourself up for a successful outcome after surgery. Though its designed for lifetime use, this hardware can wear out and break over time. The more you walk, the faster you youll heal. The only exercise I got was in-home physical therapy twice a week. Also, this and any surgery can result in bleeding and a pulmonary embolism. Now it's time to focus on healing. Consult with your doctor or physical therapist on your own limits and exercise recommendations. Our minimally invasive surgical techniques tend to cause less bleeding, less post-op pain, and speedier recoveries. The discs that sit between the vertebrae in the spinal column are designed to cushion the spine and enable bending and flexing. These include: Knowing what to expect after a spinal fusion is the best way to prepare yourself for the months ahead. I could walk around the house without a walker. However, the next few months are pivotal to ensure a full recovery. You May Like: Sharp Pain In Abdomen Pregnancy. After 3 months of rest, exercise is now the primary focus of your healing and recovery process. Also, injections can help but stick with those that can help stimulate repair rather than those that break down tissue, like at Centeno-Schultz Clinic. It manifests as numbness, tingling, burning, and/or weakness that may move throughout the body.