Ice packs and heat wraps can assist with pain management and are applied for 15 minutes, followed by a 2-hour rest period. Spine surgery - discharge: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia Wu A-M, et al. They may extend a hospital stay depending on the location and the extent of the surgery, as well as other recent surgeries . That same study found that within 3 months, 61% achieved clinically significant improvement after primary surgery and 41% after redo surgery. Post-Surgery Activities. Spinal fusion surgery recovery typically takes anywhere from three to six months, and this time frame includes the various types of physical therapy that each patient must undergo. Pain medication can also contribute to nausea and constipation. Even a chocolate pudding can be a tasty way to sneak in more calcium! Read on to learn more. They can even suggest adjustments to make activities at your home or workplace easier to manage. In fact, loading up your plate with nutrient-dense foods can help your body recover. 360 0 obj <> endobj Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep each night. There are 5 spinal bones in the low back which are numbered from top to bottom L1, L2, L3, L4, and L5. 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. Older patients or those with lower fitness levels can take up to 4-6 months to heal properly. 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Some people may also undergo spinal fusion to stabilize the spine, receive a special implant that will help stabilize the bones in the lower back but not restrict motion in the same way a fusion . L5 S1 Fusion Surgery: Success Rate & Complications - CSC A full recovery typically occurs between two and six months after cervical spinal stenosis surgery. Enterprise House, Vitamin D and calcium are well-known for promoting bone health, so be sure to include dark leafy greens, fortified dairy food, full-fat Greek yogurt, salmon, and sardines into your diet. Here are our top 11 picks. The technique the surgeon uses depends on where the bones to be fused are on the spine, the reason for the spinal fusion, and possibly, general health and body shape. 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. All rights reserved. When conservative treatments arent working for your herniated disc, surgery might be the right path forward. Lumbar decompression surgery: Risks. You might have physical therapy and sessions. Keep in mind, your pain medication can and will manage your pain to a certain extent as long as you're taking it properly, but even if you don't feel pain when performing some activities, you can still damage your spinal fusion if you forget to be patient with yourself. Walking and gentle movement are important parts of the recovery process. Additionally, inflammation in the tissues surrounding spinal nerves can cause nerve damage after fusion. 370 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[<156CCA0520B2DDF2C068ADB2D244FA7F>]/Index[360 23]/Info 359 0 R/Length 67/Prev 487989/Root 361 0 R/Size 383/Type/XRef/W[1 2 1]>>stream Spinal fusion is a surgical procedure that links bones in the spinal column together to treat back problems such as herniated disks, fractures, or scoliosis. Learn the symptoms and your options for treatment. Spinal Fusion Recovery: Timeline, Exercises, and More - Healthline Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. In this blog, Dr. Regan highlights what to expect immediately after surgery and in the weeks and months following your spinal fusion. 1 Immediately After Surgery. Once the fusion has been found to be progressing as expected, it is no longer as fragile. The lamina may be causing tightness around the spinal cord or nerve(s). Next Page: Lumbar spinal stenosis: An update on the epidemiology diagnosis and treatment. However, there are a few simple exercises you can take on at home that are part of nearly all spinal fusion recovery programs. Avoid long car rides and strenuous activities until Dr. Regan gives you the green light. Back support belts are used to reduce the risk of back injury and relieve pain in the short term. Contact and high risk sports shouldnt be resumed for at least 3 months. Back pain can develop for a variety of reasons, but how do you know if your pain is related to a herniated disc? Though its designed for lifetime use, this hardware can wear out and break over time. Hi Jennifer, I'm scheduled for a L4/L5 Spinal Fusion with Laminectomy on Friday 09/04/2010. Please fill out the form below to speak with Dr. Siddiqi regarding your spine surgery questions. Six months after spinal fusion, you can expect to start the final stages of the recovery process. Many are in the first few months of their recovery. Surgeons almost always perform spinal fusion for spondylolisthesis. Reisener MJ, et al. You can add more advanced exercises under the supervision of your physical therapist and surgeon. More specialized physical therapy (called work hardening or work conditioning programs) may be done in situations requiring a return to work involving physical labor. Connecting them prevents movement between them. You may be given a soft brace to help with incisional pain. To learn more about spinal fusions. laminectomy is a procedure which involves removing bone of the vertebrae to allow for more space for the nerves. Spinal fusion can help restore pain-free function in a deformed, damaged or diseased spine. Now you know what to expect after spinal fusion surgery. 3.4 Diet And Rest. Spine Conditions that the TOPS System Cures. 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. This can lead to back pain and neurological symptoms years after the fusion. Generally, the procedure involves the following: A hospital stay of two to three days is usually required following spinal fusion. Injury to blood vessels or nerves in and around the spine. Are there complications from this surgery? Veritas Health, LLC, 520 Lake Cook Road, Suite 350, Deerfield, IL, 60015, Spinal Fusion Surgery Recovery: 3 Months and After, Postoperative Care for Spinal Fusion Surgery, Hospital Care After Spinal Fusion Surgery (2 to 4 Days), Spinal Fusion Surgery Recovery: After Discharge (First Few Days), Spinal Fusion Surgery Recovery: 1 to 4 Weeks After, Spinal Fusion Surgery Recovery: 1 to 3 Months After, Back Surgery Video: How Spinal Fusion Stops Back Pain, How to Prep Your Home for Spine Surgery Recovery Video, Avoid Back Injury with the Right Lifting Techniques, Rehabilitation and Exercise for a Healthy Back, One-Minute Stretch for SI Joint Pain Relief Video, Radiographic Tests for SI Joint Dysfunction. 5 Roundwood Lane And, if youre wondering What happens if I bend after spinal fusion surgery?, it's important to follow all medical advice during the recovery process to ensure that we heal as quickly and completely as possible. Spinal fusion can cause paralysis, but its one of the rarest possible complications. . Faster Spinal Fusion Recovery - What Steps to Make? - Premia Spine They teach you modified ways to do the following: At this stage, any bending or twisting of the spine can disrupt the healing process. 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. 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. Your surgeon will make an incision in the middle of your lower back. Optimize your diet. Youll also meet with physical and occupational therapists to begin your recovery. PDF How to Care for Yourself After Lumbar Spinal Fusion - Michigan Medicine 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. You may have less invasive treatment options available. What to expect 4 months after spinal fusion? This includes driving, household chores, shopping, more strenuous exercise, and most work-related activities. One of the advantages of minimally invasive spinal fusion is that your hospital stay is much shorter, but that doesnt mean your recovery at home is any less important. Many patients are surprised to hear that not only are they able to walk soon after surgery, but they are encouraged to do so. This can depend, however, on whether you underwent a bone fusion. Read on to learn what to expect at each stage of the recovery process after spinal fusion surgery. 3 -4 wks. If these rare but serious complications happen, its usually within the first few weeks following surgery. During the procedure, the surgeon places bone graft material between one or more vertebrae to gradually fuse them into a single bone. Consider getting a second opinion about all of your treatment choices before having a spinal fusion. Youll start your recovery with rest and gentle stretching, and youll slowly build to more intense exercise.
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