Spinal Fusion Post-Surgery: What to Expect
In the lead-up to spinal fusion surgery, you may be picturing what the next few months of your months will look like. As your body heals from the procedure, your ability to move around, drive, and even prepare meals will be temporarily hindered. But, by understanding what to expect after spinal fusion, you can go into the surgery with greater confidence and, hopefully, less anxiety.
With your surgeon’s guidance, you’ll need to prepare for post-surgery by arranging help around the house, taking time off work, and making your home more accessible. Keep reading for more information about spinal fusion post-surgery and what to expect.
What Is the Aftercare for Spinal Fusion?
The aftercare for spinal fusion involves rest, activity limitations, pain medications, lifestyle changes, and, in some cases, back bracing.
Rest After Spinal Fusion
After spinal fusion surgery, you’ll rest in the hospital for a few days before you’re cleared to return home. Then, you’ll need to rest with limited physical activity for four to six weeks before returning to basic activities.
While rest is a central component of spinal fusion aftercare, it’s important to avoid prolonged bed rest. Being completely sedentary after fusion surgery can reduce blood flow to the spine, increase scar tissue formation, and even contribute to tissue atrophy. So, avoid long periods of bed rest (while heeding your surgeon’s activity restrictions) and implement exercises provided by your physical therapist.
Activity Limitations After Spinal Fusion
You’ll need to avoid certain movements and activities after undergoing spinal fusion surgery, namely:
- Lifting objects heavier than five pounds
- Prolonged periods of standing and sitting
- Significant bending and twisting – if you have to bend to complete basic tasks, like getting dressed, keep your spine in a neutral position. A physical or occupational therapist will tell you how to perform essential movements during your post-operative hospital stay.
- Strenuous physical activity, including jogging, running, jumping jacks, and weightlifting
- Driving (for two to four weeks after the procedure)
Attend all of your scheduled post-op appointments with your surgeon to check when you can safely return to these activities.
Pain Medications After Spinal Fusion
Aftercare for spinal fusion includes prescription medications to manage your pain. Your surgeon will prescribe the right medication and dosage for your needs, as well as advise you on how long to take them. Common medications prescribed after spinal fusion include:
- Narcotic pain medications, like Vicodin and Percocet, may be used in the very early stages of recovery for some patients. These medications pose a significant risk of addiction and require close monitoring from a doctor.
- Neuropathic pain medications, like Lyrica and Cymbalta, can help manage nerve and muscle pain. They may be recommended right before and after spinal fusion to reduce the narcotic dosage required for pain management.
- Muscle relaxants, like cyclobenzaprine, can help calm muscle spasms and enhance mobility after spinal fusion. Muscle relaxants can interact with various medications, including opioids and benzodiazepines, and must be prescribed with care.
Over-the-counter pain medications, like acetaminophen, can also help with pain management after spinal fusion. OTC drugs generally have fewer risks than prescription medications, making them a preferable option for some individuals.
With any of the pain medications listed above, it’s crucial to avoid alcohol to prevent side effects and complications. Additionally, if you experience adverse effects while taking medication after spinal fusion, contact your doctor immediately. You may need a different dose, or a different medication entirely.
Lifestyle Changes After Spinal Fusion
As part of your aftercare instructions, your spinal surgeon will also recommend certain lifestyle changes to support the body’s healing process. Examples include:
- Refraining from smoking (before and after spinal surgery), as nicotine deters blood flow and tissue healing
- Getting help for housework (like cooking, cleaning, and laundry) for the first few days or weeks after spinal fusion
- Eating a nutritious diet with lean protein, complex carbohydrates, and nutritious fruits and veggies to support bone fusion
Back Bracing After Spinal Fusion
Wearing a back brace can help keep your spine in a neutral position after spinal fusion, preventing overextension. However, research surrounding post-operative bracing after spinal surgery suggests that it’s not beneficial in all scenarios. Your surgeon will evaluate if it’s the right option for you.
How Long Does It Take To Feel Normal After Spinal Fusion Surgery?
After spinal fusion, it may take you six to 12 months to feel fully normal again. This is because fusion is an invasive procedure that affects the muscles surrounding the spine, and the bone healing process is a lengthy one.
That said, you’ll be able to return to many of your regular activities sooner than six months. After four to six weeks, you’ll likely be cleared to perform light housework and return to a sedentary job. If your job requires light physical activity, it can take three to six months to get back to work. Patients with professions that require heavy labor often must transition to less physical jobs after spinal fusion.
Can You Have a Normal Life After Spinal Fusion?
Yes, you can have a normal life after spinal fusion, so long as you follow your surgeon’s aftercare instructions and have the required support to make a full recovery.
While you may not get to return to certain intense physical activities after spinal fusion, like heavy weightlifting, contact sports, skiing, and gymnastics, you can live a generally normal life. You can return to work, perform most tasks around the house, and engage in low-impact exercise, like walking, hiking, and swimming.
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What Can You Never Do Again After Spinal Fusion?
You can never do activities that require intense or repetitive spinal bending and twisting after spinal fusion, including gymnastics, certain yoga poses, and physical labor. You’ll also need to avoid heavy weightlifting and activities that pose the risk of a traumatic spinal injury, like skiing, contact sports, and extreme sports.
Permanent restrictions after spinal fusion vary depending on the patient’s age, the number of fused segments, and the severity of the spinal disease. However, the procedure will eliminate your ability to bend and twist at the fused spinal segment. If your surgeon fuses multiple vertebrae, your mobility will be more limited than patients who undergo single-level fusions.
To retain your spinal mobility and avoid long-term activity restrictions, you can consider fusion alternatives, like the TOPS System. With an FDA claim to superiority to lumbar fusion, TOPS is a mechanical implant device that replaces the tissues removed during spinal decompression. It moves in all directions, restoring spinal movement while alleviating pain and neurological symptoms.
What Happens if You Accidentally Bend After Spinal Fusion?
If you accidentally bend after spinal fusion (before your surgeon has cleared you to do so), you may compromise the tissue healing process at the fusion site. This can prolong the recovery process while triggering pain.
Bending after spinal fusion also places excessive stress on the fusion site. This can increase your risk of postoperative complications, like instability and even hardware failure.
For a successful post-operative phase following spinal fusion, prepare properly before the procedure and follow all of your care team’s guidance. You can also consider less invasive alternatives to fusion, like the TOPS System, for a quicker recovery from spinal stenosis and spondylolisthesis.
