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). 2023 Healthline Media LLC. They will work closely with you to determine the best course of action to help you enjoy life the way you want to. Learn about Medicare coverage of back surgery including types of back surgery, plus cost estimates of what you can expect to pay. The spine may be unstable because of an injury, or needs to be fixed in place because of pain. Work with a physical therapist to find a long-term exercise program to stick to. The signs of nerve damage after spinal fusion include tingling, numbness, burning, and weakness. After you go home, contact your doctor if you exhibit signs of infection, such as: It may take several months for the affected bones in your spine to heal and fuse together. They will clear you for most activities as long as everything is healing correctly. The inability to walk even short distances. Its important to take care of yourself after spinal fusion. Most people dont have any restrictions on their activity by about 6 to 8 months after spinal fusion surgery. Well explain your treatment options. If only one lamina is removed, the procedure is called a hemilaminectomy. They should not, however, go to gym class or play sports for two to six months, depending on advice from their surgeon. I no longer needed the walker. One of the problems after surgery can be excessive inflammatory healing after the operation and the subsequent development of fibrotic tissue in the epidural space, often enveloping the most recently decompressed spinal nerve roots. This procedure is called anterior diskectomy and fusion. Now you know what to expect after spinal fusion surgery. These 10 quadratus lumborum stretches will help to stabilize your spine and support you lower back for increased strength and mobility. You may need help getting around initially, and thats okay. However, there are a few simple exercises you can take on at home that are part of nearly all spinal fusion recovery programs. When you are discharged, you receive instructions for incision site care as well as any prescriptions you may need. Spinal fusion is performed with a general anesthetic so you will be unconscious during the procedure. There are several ways to do spinal fusion surgery. However, spinal fusion, like any surgery comes with some risks. Numbness. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. The surgeon will repeat the procedure on as many vertebrae as necessary. Spinal fusion typically works for fixing broken bones, reshaping the spine or making the spine more stable. Your surgeon will make an incision in the middle of your lower back. A spine fusion for spinal instability (e.g. Youll start your recovery with rest and gentle stretching, and youll slowly build to more intense exercise. Learn about easy exercises you can do at home. They may extend a hospital stay depending on the location and the extent of the surgery, as well as other recent surgeries youve gone through. The lamina is the part of your vertebra that connects the body to the spiny part you can feel along your neck and back. (2022). Lumbar spinal stenosis: An update on the epidemiology diagnosis and treatment. Apart from permanent restrictions after spinal fusion surgery, it is important to know what to expect during the first three months subsequent to surgery. 3. Life After Spinal Fusion Surgery: A Month-By-Month Breakdown of My Spinal Fusion Recovery. Youll stay in the hospital for about 2 to 4 days following your spinal fusion surgery. We avoid using tertiary references. Older patients or those with lower fitness levels can take up to 46 months to heal properly. The TOPS System works by replacing the spinal structures removed during spinal decompression. Spinal fusion can be used to: Reshape the spine. Generally, no brace is needed. The vertebrae in your spine continue to heal and fuse up for up to 18 months post-surgery. Try one of our free patient diagnostic tools. Either way, a metal plate or rods and screws will hold the bones together until the bones heal. This could be a sign of a complication, such as an infection. This core stabilization exercise is called a wall sit. These restrictions may include: 1 No bending, lifting, or twisting No lifting anything that weighs more than 5 pounds No strenuous physical activity, including exercising, housework, yardwork, or sexual activity No driving or operating a vehicle of any kind until discussed with your surgeon Call us today to schedule a virtual visit, What to Expect After Spinal Fusion Surgery. Recovery from a decompression alone is usually quicker than from a decompression with stabilization. Depending on what type of other exercise you want to do, you may have to wait anywhere between 4-6 weeks, even up to 3 months, before you start working out again. You will work with physical and occupational therapists to learn how to move safely following your surgery. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. %PDF-1.5 % 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. Depending on the location and extent of your surgery, you may experience some pain and discomfort but the pain can usually be controlled well with medications. Lumbar microlaminectomy vs. traditional laminectomy. 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. Read on to find out how a discectomy helps treat your damaged spinal disc. You should stretch and move around to take the pressure off of your lower back. Theyll use special devices to hold back the muscle, skin, and fat so that they can access the bone. It can help to talk with other people who have had spinal fusion surgery and understand the day-to-day successes and struggles. Learn about neural foraminal stenosis, including how it can be treated. Lets look at the pros and cons. Mindful exercise now aids the fusion process happening at your spine, as movement stimulates healing and helps your bones to fuse. . I was sleeping fairly well at night, usually only waking when I needed pain meds. Though its designed for lifetime use, this hardware can wear out and break over time. tear of the dura, the outer cover of the spinal cord: 10%. During this time, its important to keep moving and to follow instructions from your physical therapist and your surgeon. Post-op isnt the time to diet. 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. Suffering from Lumbar Spinal Stenosis? But as with any surgery, spinal fusion carries some risks. even if you have the most attentive & compassionate surgical team in the world, they dont want you calling their office every day with questions about weird symptoms or your poop. back and leg pain limiting normal activity or quality of life, progressive neurological conditions like leg weakness, no relief from medications and physical therapy. Your symptoms may include: Pain. (2017). I get a lot of messages from people who've had spinal fusion surgery. In the first few weeks after surgery, our focus is helping your body continue to heal and getting you moving again. Ami TR. Premia Spine USA One of the goals of spinal fusion is to improve mobility. Optimize your diet. See Rehabilitation Following Lumbar Fusion. I was able to do small household tasks, like folding laundry and making a grilled cheese sandwich. What to Expect from Spinal Fusion Surgery. In a 2021 study, researchers found that 73% of 2,699 people who underwent lumbar decompression surgery experienced clinically significant symptom improvements within 2 years. Surgery will last approximately 2 to 3 hours. 2023 Healthline Media LLC. The pain level is a roller coaster. When youre considering spinal fusion, one of your main concerns may be how much surgery may hurt. An orthopedic specialist will check on your spinal fusion after 6 months. While methods for spine surgery have significantly improved over the years, a patient's recovery still depends on their own diligence and dedication, so following the Dos and Don'ts of spinal fusion recovery is a must. Trends in lumbar spinal fusion A literature review. Doctors prescribe opioid painkillers to ease pain and discomfort. Its usually a safe and effective treatment for spinal compression, but you need to be in good overall health to undergo general anesthesia. Dont hesitate to ask any questions about your at-home recovery. Surprisingly, what you eat or dont eat can also make your back pain worse. See Avoid Back Injury with the Right Lifting Techniques. Surgeons use several different surgical techniques to perform a laminectomy. Bending, either forward or backward. During the surgery, vertebrae are fused together to heal into a single solid bone, eliminating movement between them and relieving pain. You may be tempted to try certain activities earlier than recommended, especially if you were active before your surgery. Patient-reported outcomes following lumbar decompression surgery: A review of 2699 cases. 2. In the case of the TOPS System, the device moves with the spine to create a controlled range of motion. Clinical surgical outcomes after lumbar laminectomy: An analysis of 500 patients. Over the months, your symptoms will start to improve gradually and so will your activity level. You may have less invasive treatment options available. You might need to stay longer if youre at risk of an infection or other complications. However, due to the trauma of surgery, the patients trunk muscles, and overall condition become somewhat weakened. Spinal fusion is a procedure that permanently joins two vertebrae into one solid bone. At 5 months post-op: 1. You should continue to sleep well, eat well, and keep moving. They can even suggest adjustments to make activities at your home or workplace easier to manage. and our expert team at Spine Group Beverly Hills perform minimally invasive spinal fusions at our offices in Beverley Hills and Santa Monica, California. It treats disorders such as herniated discs. You will be in the hospital approximately 3 days. Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep each night. 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. \_zwpc\ Heres a general idea of what you can expect during the classic open laminectomy: According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, you may be a candidate for surgery if you have: Doctors usually try to treat spinal compression with more conservative methods before recommending surgery. Some recommendations are going to be similar to what people tell you to do even when your back is healthy. Read on to learn the warning signs of disc herniation and what we can do to help you find relief. Let's look at what your doctor may recommend and their side. Even something as simple as climbing a staircase within a few. Its important not to get discouraged or hold yourself to standards and goals that arent a good fit for your circumstances. Spinal fusion is a common form of back surgery used to treat several kinds of back problems, including scoliosis, vertebral weakness, and herniated discs. This approval typically occurs about 6 months after the surgery, but sometimes it may take closer to 12 months. Generally, the procedure involves the following: A hospital stay of two to three days is usually required following spinal fusion. Once the fusion has been found to be progressing as expected, it is no longer as fragile. Complete recovery from spinal fusion surgery usually takes up to 8 months, with the bone continuing to evolve for 12 to 18 months. Read on to learn more. 2 i)Spinal fusion. Keep reading to learn more about lumbar laminectomies, including what happens during the procedure, how long it takes to recover, and if there are any potential side effects. As a result, those areas of the spine might break down faster. Accessed Nov. 22, 2022. Injury to blood vessels or nerves in and around the spine. Chou R. Subacute and chronic low-back pain: Surgical treatment. My legs and arms were coordinated, my entire body rising and stretching in one, united movement. 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. This, combined with possible surgical complications, can (understandably) leave patients with many questions. Because of this, as well as the effect that opioids have on coordination and drowsiness, there is absolutely no driving allowed after your surgery. There are 5 spinal bones in the low back which are numbered from top to bottom L1, L2, L3, L4, and L5. Obtain Long Term Pain Relief. Give yourself more support by pressing your arms against the wall as well; as . This can lead to back pain and neurological symptoms years after the fusion. For some patients, this stabilization is essential to ensure proper healing. Treating the early signs of foot arthritis may help you prevent more severe symptoms down the road. Spinal fusion. A surgeon will get to the spine through the front (anterior), taking out the disc in question, and using a bone graft to stabilize the area. However, if it's possible, do not rush into it and take your full time to recover to avoid future problems. Lumbar laminectomy in the outpatient setting is associated with lower 30-day complication rates. https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/treatment/spinal-fusion. In younger and/or more physically fit individuals, recovery time can range anywhere from 4-6 weeks. Complications Following Spinal Fusion. z2[nf 1/X$AA-u1ak. Heavy work included activities such as construction work or bricklaying. You may have a wound drain placed after the surgery, which is usually taken out within a few days. 98 East Avenue Perioperative management in complex spine surgery. If you need to bend down, keep your spine in a neutral position while you hinge at the hips or bend at your knees. Apply that same concept to recovery from spinal surgeries. This prepares your body for your regular work and teaches you to perform work tasks safely. A month or two after your surgery, your back should be well on its way to healing. Your doctor may recommend that you wear a brace for a time to keep your spine aligned correctly. 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). Read about treatment options, including various types of. Surgeons recommended 8 weeks before starting heavy work after a single-level laminectomy and 8 to 12 weeks for multi-level. Are there complications from this surgery? They may extend a hospital stay depending on the location and the extent of the surgery, as well as other recent surgeries . hb```f``2d` aB &$Z,S5arp@;O*qQ- You can add more advanced exercises under the supervision of your physical therapist and surgeon. Baron EM, et al. 3.1 iv) Spinal decompression and fusion. See Rehabilitation and Exercise for a Healthy Back. Although nerve damage is possible during spinal surgery, surgeons use many different techniques to prevent this complication. 1-3 months after Spine Surgery This is a tough period for the healing process. In fact, loading up your plate with nutrient-dense foods can help your body recover. All the information in this article is meant to be a general guideline for spinal fusion recovery. You might have some pain and discomfort following spinal fusion surgery. Spinal fusion uses techniques that mimic the bodys healing process when youve broken a bone. Theyll confirm your spinal fusion was a success and that your vertebrae have fused successfully. Sacroiliac joint injections have an excellent success rate at reducing pain for several months at a time. Under normal circumstances, a patient's recovery process may be expected to progress in the following way: Once the surgeon confirms on x-ray imaging that the fusion has completely solidified into one bone, a full return to an active lifestyleincluding bending, lifting, and twistingis permitted. Once you make it to 10 weeks, exercise and physical activity will become the focus of your recovery. Get Veritas Health Newsletters delivered to your inbox. These include: Knowing what to expect after a spinal fusion is the best way to prepare yourself for the months ahead. 3.3 Exercise And Regular Activities. If your back pain isnt responding to conservative treatments, a spinal fusion can help you find the relief you need from spinal pain. Learn More About Minimally Invasive Fusion Surgery at Spine Center Atlanta Avoid bending at all after a lumbar fusion if possible, as bending or twisting can interfere with the way the fusion heals and even damage the work that was done. I was only taking pain medication at night, so my head was clearer. Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep each night. Heavy work included activities such as construction work or. The only exercise I got was in-home physical therapy twice a week. Minerva Anestesiologica. Prep your kitchen with ready-made and throw-together meals. It can be difficult to determine this until significant healing has occurred. Spine Conditions that the TOPS System Cures. A laminectomy is one of the most common procedures for decompressing the spinal cord and nerve roots. My car was written off when a midi-bus tried to park in my boot at 80km/h and the only plus side to the accident is that I seem to be a textbook case for this surgery, according to the South African Spine Society: I just got back into playing competitive League squash again after taking a 3 year break . 3 -4 wks. I was mostly weaned off of daytime pain meds, but I still took them in the evenings and before bed. You may be given a soft brace to help with incisional pain. Start with bending slightly and slowly. For a lumbar fusion you will stay in the hospital 3 days. A herniated disc pushes into the spinal canal. People in the outpatient group tended to be younger and have less obesity and fewer health complications. Once they identify the correct location, theyll cut the laminae and remove the rear part of the vertebra. Bydon M, et al. 8 wks. What you eat plays a big role in your overall mental and physical health. They can do it as an open surgery, which is most common, or as a minimally invasive procedure called microlaminectomy, which is performed under microscopic magnification with a smaller incision. spondylolisthesis) is a relatively predictable operation. All rights reserved. The surgery is done to help stabilize your spine, reduce pain, or address spine issues, such as scoliosis. Nerve damage is a serious problem that may require immediate medical attention. You will remain in the hospital for around 2-5 days following your surgery while doctors and nurses monitor your healing. You still need to avoid bending, twisting, and lifting, but should be able to resume cardio and stretching your stiff muscles. Spinal decompression therapy is a broad category of treatments designed to provide pressure and pain relief along the spine. Central cord syndrome is a spinal cord injury that commonly happens after a fall or car accident. Non-fusion implants work by stabilizing the affected vertebrae with a device. For instance, some people who have had a spinal fusion in multiple places might be advised to avoid contact sports. Read on to learn more about this surgery and how it can help. Tighten your stomach muscles and lean against the wall with your feet flat on the bottom of the pool. Spinal fusion surgery is the primary surgical treatment for most people with severe scoliosis. (2020). If youve already tried conservative treatments, consider an artificial disc replacement. Spinal fusion is a procedure that permanently joins two vertebrae into one solid bone. Arthritis causes much of back pain. Depending on the type of procedure or back surgery you've had, you should expect to spend from one to several days in the hospital following your procedure. All of these problems can lead to new or reoccurring back pain and neurological symptoms. In general, if pain relief is experienced in the three months after surgery, the relief will likely continue.