Please call Inspired Spine at (952) 225-5266 for all refill requests. This can lead to back pain and neurological symptoms years after the fusion. It is even possible to perform fusion surgery on. Older patients or those with lower fitness levels can take up to 4-6 months to heal . For now, its recommended that you still avoid high-impact activities, such as contact sports and extreme sports. Read on to learn more. In other words, just live with the pain. 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. Neuropathic pain occurs when the nerves or spinal cord become damaged. A month or two after your surgery, your back should be well on its way to healing. 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. Following any physical therapy recommendations, Getting enough sleep, as a lack of sleep can decrease your pain tolerance. 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. Because of this, as well as the effect that opioids have on coordination and drowsiness, there is absolutely no driving allowed after your surgery. After that, he or she will receive thorough postsurgical instructions. It may take 4 to 6 weeks to get back to doing simple activities, such as light housework. But how does that help? When the L4-L5 level is included in the spine fusion it transfers a lot of stress to L3-L4. Also, this and any surgery can result in bleeding and a pulmonary embolism. Sometimes back pain is caused by nerve impingement brought on by herniated discs or spinal stenosis. Patients who are concerned about the complications from spinal fusion can speak with a specialist in their area to learn more about the available alternatives. We are now going to continue with the discussion of Prolotherapy. 5 Roundwood Lane For example, we treat ASD quite frequently by using newer interventional orthopedic techniques above and below the fusion. When youre considering spinal fusion, one of your main concerns may be how much surgery may hurt. Your medical staff will administer pain medication, but much of your pain can be reduced by applying cold packs. Keep in mind that even after the fused vertebrae have fully healed, patients must still adhere to certain restrictions. It can take up to six months for your bones to fully heal after spinal fusion, but your recovery journey starts immediately after your surgery. In a study of the TOPS System for lumbar spinal stenosis and degenerative spondylolisthesis, the visual analog scale (VAS) for back and leg pain lowered from 56.2 before the procedure to 12.5 at six weeks, 13.7 at one-year follow-up, 3.6 at two years follow-up, and 19 at seven years follow-up. 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. Mindful exercise now aids the fusion process happening at your spine, as movement stimulates healing and helps your bones to fuse. This procedure eliminates motion between the targeted vertebrae while preventing irritation to the surrounding nerves and ligaments. These exercises will help you regain muscle tone, strength, fitness, as well as flexibility and mobility. The SI fusion system follows the principles of arthrodesis: aggressive joint preparation, enhanced compression and stability. Lastly, damage can happen when they put the screws in. To answer your question about how long before you can drive. After a few weeks, youll start to feel better. I needed help with just about everything else, including getting in and out of the shower and dressing myself. 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. The discs that sit between the vertebrae in the spinal column are designed to cushion the spine and enable bending and flexing. Recovery Guide - What to Expect 6 Months after Spinal Fusion Sep 29, 2021 Thanks to the development of minimally invasive techniques, patients undergoing fusion surgery can expect a procedure that involves a smaller incision and less disruption of soft tissue. Use a long-handled gripper to pick things up off the floor. I was only taking pain medication at night, so my head was clearer. Neither does your pharmacist or your physical therapist. Your therapist will show you how to do this safely. This, combined with possible surgical complications, can (understandably) leave patients with many questions. One of the goals of spinal fusion is to improve mobility. 1. Recommended Reading: Pain And Suffering Settlement Examples. 98 East Avenue 19255 Park Row, Suite 205, Houston, Texas 77084, Common Cervical & Lumbar Spinal Conditions. The goal of fusion surgery is to remove the damaged disc and replace it with bone graft material and hardware designed to add stability and limit painful nerve compression. Some factors can slow your healing and result in a longer recovery time. [3] Mild scoliosis does not typically cause problems, but more severe cases can affect breathing and movement. Luckily, minimally invasive surgeries reduce the need for addictive opioids. . Avoid lifting heavy objects, performing any kind of strenuous activities, or bend, stretch or twist the body. Its anchored to the spine and includes a patented crossbar configuration, which exerts less impact on the screws than fusion implant devices. 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 might experience back sore after you wake up in the morning, no matter what level of surgery you had. The next 3 months are all about reducing overall stiffness and gaining back your strength. 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). Over time, theres an increasing proportion of people where the segments above and below the fusion quickly become worn. Most people can go back to work after 4 to 6 weeks. 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 . Try one of our free patient diagnostic tools. Sometimes longer for those who have additional surgeries or risk factors. Once youve got the go-ahead from your orthopedic specialist, you can start returning to normal life, including bending, twisting, and lifting! Whats More Effective? 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. The results of this procedure can vary. The fusion will usually take a few months to fully set, which is why patients need to follow postoperative instructions so closely. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Fineberg today for a full evaluation and lets get you on the road to healing. 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 surgery is a medical procedure that involves fusing two or more spinal vertebrae so that they can heal and become a single bone. At this stage, you will visit your orthopedic specialist to confirm the surgery was successful and that your vertebrae have fused as expected. 6-12 Months Post-Surgery Most patients fully recover around 8 months post-surgery. I was still taking pain meds throughout the day but had started weaning myself off the Oxycodone. Frequency tables and cross-tabulations were used to describe the appropriateness outcomes by treatment choice, clinical variables, and specialty. Dont lift anything heavier than a gallon of milk. I had my fusion on March 6. There will be a Bollywood Fusion practice right after at 5pm, so we encourage you to sign-up for it as well!. Swimming or walking wont be affected. Getting enough sleep gives your body a chance to heal your incision site, restore your energy levels, and help your muscles recover. What to expect 1-4 days after surgery When you are discharged, you receive instructions for incision site care as well as any prescriptions you may need. If you have back problems that are interfering with your daily life, talk to your doctor and medical team. The vertebrae in your spine continue to heal and fuse up for up to 18 months post-surgery. We use natural substances derived from the patients body like growth factors derived from platelets to prompt or stimulate healing in these beat-up areas. Thirdly, when the surgeon goes in to destroy the disc, any mistake during this process could damage the nerves. Follow your doctors recommendations and increase your activities slowly. It is even possible to perform fusion surgery on an outpatient basis in certain cases. is a fellowship trained, board certified orthopedic surgeon who has been practicing since 1999 and specializes in complex spinal treatment. If you start to feel pain, stop and rest. Knowing what to expect can help relieve some of the nervousness you feel and help you relax so you can heal. They vary greatly, which is why it matters what brand you buy. Coping. Read on to learn what to expect at each stage of the recovery process after spinal fusion surgery. Older patients or those with lower fitness levels can take up to 46 months to. The problem with using more traditional approaches is that things like steroids and radiofrequency can harm and break down spine tissue. This stage of healing can be uncomfortable and frustrating, but it is an essential part of rebuilding your spines strength. 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. Even something as simple as climbing a staircase within a few days after surgery can put unnecessary stress on the fusion site. Spinal fusion uses techniques that mimic the bodys healing process when youve broken a bone. The first possibility is that the nerves themselves can be damaged. Your doctor will have prescribed pain medication for you to manage pain and discomfort. Your doctor and physical therapy teams will have suggestions, but weve also rounded up some recovery tips: Similar to most RUAM studies, appropriateness of treatments was classified using the median panel score and extent of agreement between panellists . Avoid long car rides and strenuous activities until Dr. Regan gives you the green light. Follow your doctors recommendations completely and arrange to have help nearby to support you. and drinking plenty of water can also help you avoid post-op constipation. You can expect to be in the hospital for one to five days, depending on your recovery and post-surgery abilities, health, and activities. During the three to six months following spinal fusion surgery, the lumbar fusion bone mass starts becoming established. You May Like: Can Anxiety Cause Nerve Pain. During the first 3 months, avoid long drives, sitting and standing for long .