You might experience back sore after you wake up in the morning, no matter what level of surgery you had. This didnt end up with a good post-surgery result. 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? Ask a friend or family member to assist you with cooking, grocery shopping, daily chores, and other typical activities. This degeneration is most likely to happen after a two-level fusion and in a young patient . I could walk around the house without a walker. One of the goals of spinal fusion is to improve mobility. During this time, you will be observed for any complications and your new surgical site will be cared for. Follow your doctors recommendations completely and arrange to have help nearby to support you. Faster Spinal Fusion Recovery - What Steps to Make? - Premia Spine I could get to and from the bathroom myself with the help of my walker. This is because spinal surgery involves navigating delicate nerve structures, including the spinal cord and spinal nerve roots. 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. When conservative treatments such as medication, chiropractic adjustment or physical therapy fail to yield results, some may opt for surgery. Back Pain 6 Months After Spinal Fusion - PainReliefTalk.com 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. Also, this and any surgery can result in bleeding and a pulmonary embolism. Most patients find that sleeping in a reclined position is the most comfortable way to rest. Ask a friend or family member to drive you home, and limit car rides to protect your spine from accidental twisting. Willowbrook Professional Complex 13323 Dotson Road, Suite 100, Houston, Texas 77070, Southwest Houston/Sugar Land 1601 Main Street, Suite 301, Richmond, Texas 77469, Woodlands Office17191 Saint Lukes Way, Suite 200The Woodlands, TX 77384, Memorial/Katy19255 Park Row, Suite 205, Houston, Texas 77084, Baytown1626 W. Baker RoadBaytown, TX 77521, CALL NOW FOR A VIRTUAL E- VISITS, TELEMEDICINE, AND ONLINE VISITS WITH DR. SHAH SIDDIQI, There's a reason why people use the word "backbone" to describe the crucial sense of support something providessomething that cannot be done without. Older patients or those with lower fitness levels can take up to 4-6 months to heal . Avoid ibuprofen, aspirin, or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for 3 to 6 months after spinal surgery. Talk to your doctor or physical therapist about whether you should wear back support. Coping. 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. X-rays may be taken after several weeks to verify that fusion is occurring. The second is when the surgeon does the most basic thing, which is to pull the nerves apart and traction on them, they could traction too much and damage the nerve by stretching it. Your body needs plenty of rest to heal and recover. Avoid lifting heavy objects, performing any kind of strenuous activities, or bend, stretch or twist the body. The upshot? However, you must be careful not to overdo it or over-stress your body. It is much less likely to happen if only the L5-S1 level is fused, as this segment typically does not have much motion and fusing this level does not change the mechanics in the spine all that much. Think that means sex is off-limits? In the first few weeks after surgery, our focus is helping your body continue to heal and getting you moving again. Between six months and one-year post-op, patients can typically start returning to all of their normal activities, including some bending and twisting. Recommended Reading: Is It Normal To Have Pain Months After Hernia Surgery. At this stage, you will visit your orthopedic specialist to confirm the surgery was successful and that your vertebrae have fused as expected. Life After Spinal Fusion Surgery: A Month-By-Month Breakdown of My Spinal Fusion Recovery. Spinal Fusion Surgery Recovery: 3 Months and After - Spine-health Advertisement Your doctor may prescribe a combination of these medications to improve your symptoms and also minimize the need for taking too many opioids. 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. Talk to them about how you should diminish your daily dose, as it is difficult to renew opioid prescriptions. Use the modified movements that were taught to you by the physical or occupational therapist to avoid any bending or twisting of your back. During the first few days after surgery, you must be careful with your activities. Generally, doctors don't suggest high-impact activities, like full-contact sports, extreme sports, and others, at least in short term. 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. For some, doctors prescribe a back brace to limit motion. In some cases, the pain may even be worse for a while after the back surgery because operating around the nerve root creates some increased swelling and this leads to pain. This prepares your body for your regular work and teaches you to perform work tasks safely. Knowing what to expect can help relieve some of the nervousness you feel and help you relax so you can heal. Norwalk, CT 06851 For editorial comments and questions, you can reach Dr. Bergin via email. Avoid bending at the waist. Spinal Fusion Recovery: What You Need To Know - Neurosurgery One You may be tempted to try certain activities earlier than recommended, especially if you were active before your surgery. No sports, if you had a multi-level surgery. Swimming or walking wont be affected. To ensure proper recovery, you should prepare your home before the procedure by ensuring floors are clear and slippery rugs have been removed. Spinal fusion isnt right for everyone, but if youre struggling with back pain, you might consider spinal fusion when conservative options just arent working. Neuropathic pain occurs when the nerves or spinal cord become damaged. After a few weeks, youll start to feel better. However, there is limited evidence that MBSR can improve pain acceptance. I often see patients that have had this type of surgery without any sort of bone fusion. The better you adhere to the recovery plan, the sooner you'll be able to return to your normal daily activities! In most cases, we use absorbable stitches that will not need to be removed, and small strips of tape may be used to keep the wound closed in order to let it heal under less tension. A few months after surgery, you will be expected to follow a routine your physical therapist 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. Additionally, inflammation in the tissues surrounding spinal nerves can cause nerve damage after fusion. Hardware including rods, pedicle screws, cages, and spacers may be used for stability in lumbar spinal fusion. Recovery Time. Spinal fusion uses techniques that mimic the bodys healing process when youve broken a bone. Your medical staff will administer pain medication, but much of your pain can be reduced by applying cold packs. What to Expect From ACDF Surgery Recovery - ZimVie Cervical Its important not to get discouraged or hold yourself to standards and goals that arent a good fit for your circumstances. During this time your doctor will monitor your blood oxygen levels and may order other tests. Recovery After Spinal Fusion: What to Expect If you experience chronic back pain, numbness or tingling in your extremities, or severe scoliosis, your doctor may recommend spinal fusion surgery. I get a lot of messages from people who've had spinal fusion surgery. Shah N. Siddiqi, M.D., F.R.C.S. 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. 3. Basic care at this point includes: By one to three months after surgery, you are feeling better and able to resume more demanding activities. 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. after spinal fusion, but your recovery journey starts immediately after your surgery. 7 Giborey Israel Street Focus on keeping your incision clean and dry, Follow all post-op instructions as thoroughly as possible, Take medication as directed, even if you feel you dont need it, Post-op isnt the time to diet. If the screws are not drilled into exactly the right place, they can damage the nerves. With this in mind, many patients seek out ways to shorten their recovery and get back on their feet faster.. For more recent updates on my post-op life, read these posts: Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), NATHAN Run@Work Day Giveaway + Hurricane Irma Update, 21 Day Fix Review (We Spent $77, But YOU Dont Have To) , Spinal Fusion: Frequently Asked Questions, One Year Post-Op:Spinal Fusion Update: One Year Later (A Letter to Myself). Spinal fusion surgery is primarily a stabilization procedure. But how does that help? In this blog, Dr. Regan highlights what to expect immediately after surgery and in the weeks and months following your spinal fusion. 6-12 Months Post-Surgery Most patients fully recover around 8 months post-surgery. The first month was rough, but after my 1st checkup the Dr. told me I could start driving. Spinal Fusion Surgery: What to Expect When You're at Home Pain medication can also contribute to nausea and constipation. There are several types and variations of fusion surgery, but it is mainly an open or a minimally invasive operation. (consult with your surgeon to determine an exact timeline). Spine Conditions that the TOPS System Cures. Sleep in any position that does not cause back pain. Your surgeon may have used screws or plates to brace you while it heals- but this doesn't hold up forever! , 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. The Best Alternative to Lumbar Spinal Fusion. For some patients, this stabilization is essential to ensure proper healing. Lastly, damage can happen when they put the screws in. Over time, theres an increasing proportion of people where the segments above and below the fusion quickly become worn. For example, we treat ASD quite frequently by using newer interventional orthopedic techniques above and below the fusion. You may need to wear a neck brace for a while. There are also risks with the surgery itself because its a highly technical operation. An open fusion I was mostly weaned off of daytime pain meds, but I still took them in the evenings and before bed. Follow these safe spine tips for at least 6 weeks. Increasing your daily activities and exercise helps you heal. Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep each night. By six months after fusion surgery, most patients should expect to be cleared to resume most if not all daily activities. Use a long-handled gripper to pick things up off the floor. Not only that, but eating. Spinal Fusion Surgery Recovery: 1 to 3 Months After 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. Common Questions About Recovery from Anterior Cervical Fusion Surgery I didnt do any intentional exercise just relied on caring for the kids and walking up & down the stairs 100 times a day to keep active. By following these tips, you will set yourself up for a successful outcome after surgery. These would likely include anti-inflammatories, physical therapy, pain management, and epidural steroid injections - in other words, go through the same steps that I went through in 2015-2016 before deciding on surgery. Therefore a systematic review of the effectiveness of MBSR in low back pain was performed.This review found inconclusive evidence of the effectiveness of MBSR in improving pain intensity or disability in chronic low back pain patients. Spinal fusion is a common form of back surgery used to treat several kinds of back problems, including scoliosis, vertebral weakness, and herniated discs. Work with a physical therapist to find a long-term exercise program to stick to. Recovery After Spinal Fusion: What to Expect - Healthgrades During weeks one to four, youll begin to feel stronger and more capable. Physical therapy will help you increase range of motion and strength in your back and surrounding muscles. Doctors prescribe opioid painkillers to ease pain and discomfort. We have taken you on a journey throughout this article to show the current options that are most commonly prescribed. If you sustained nerve damage before or during the surgery, the timeline can extend to 2 full years of healing time. Still, any surgery is likely to cause some degree of discomfort. Greiner-Perth R, Boehm H, Allam Y, Elsaghir H, Franke J. Reoperation rate after instrumented posterior lumbar interbody fusion: a report on 1680 cases. During this time, you will probably start to feel the positive effects of the surgery, including less pain and newly regained mobility. You may have trouble sitting or standing in one position for very long. This is why the recovery process for a fusion is so important, and the first six months are key for your long-term outcome. I needed help with just about everything else, including getting in and out of the shower and dressing myself. 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). In this article, well explore common problems from spinal fusion to consider before undergoing the procedure.