During your hospital stay, your goal is to relieve pain and learn how to reduce pressure on the back. [2] [7] In some, the degree of curve is stable, while in others, it increases over time. P.O. Please call Inspired Spine at (952) 225-5266 for all refill requests. I often see patients that have had this type of surgery without any sort of bone fusion. You can reduce any discomfort throughout your recovery by: 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. Every patient has a different recovery journey, depending on the specific type of spinal fusion surgery, whether it was minimally invasive and a patients specific medical history. Complete recovery can take up to eight months or more, so allow yourself plenty of time and dont push yourself too fast. After spine surgery, you expect your back or neck problem to be resolved. While you may not feel like getting up and being active, its important to move around slowly and carefully after your surgery. During this stage, your spinal surgeon will likely be able to confirm that the vertebrae have successfully fused. You may have trouble sitting or standing in one position for very long. Apply that same concept to recovery from spinal surgeries. The following movements should be specifically avoided during this period: Heavy lifting. This can happen because the level above or below a segment that has been successfully fused can break down and become a pain generator. Netanya, Israel 4250407, Premia Spine UK 1. Why Does My Back Still Hurt Years After Spinal Fusion? Your doctor may use this procedure when the opening (foramina) is narrowed causing pressure on the spinal nerves. Heres a case study of a lady who had pain following spinal fusion, and was able to dramatically reduce it without surgery or drugs. Do you then fuse the next segments above or below? You may need help getting around initially, and thats okay. Frequency tables and cross-tabulations were used to describe the appropriateness outcomes by treatment choice, clinical variables, and specialty. 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. My pain was manageable; most of the time I felt stiffness and/or discomfort, rather than actual pain. We have taken you on a journey throughout this article to show the current options that are most commonly prescribed. This operation joins two vertebrae (spinal bones) into a single unit, and it is proven to eliminate or reduce back pain. Learn More About Minimally Invasive Fusion Surgery at Spine Center Atlanta. 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 . Once a year has passed, you can likely return to all your usual 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. After about 3 months, we may recommend a graduated exercise program to strengthen your back with exercises you can do at home. We may add an outpatient physical therapy program to help you safely and gradually increase your activity levels. Spinal fusion is a common form of back surgery used to treat several kinds of back problems, including scoliosis, vertebral weakness, and herniated discs. Once the fusion sets, the effects are permanent, so the results can last for life. at our Beverly Hills or Santa Monica, California office today. Still, any surgery is likely to cause some degree of discomfort. This, combined with possible surgical complications, can (understandably) leave patients with many questions. The better you adhere to the recovery plan, the sooner you'll be able to return to your normal daily activities! If the screws are not drilled into exactly the right place, they can damage the nerves. Patients with a failed fusion may experience spinal mobility limitations that go beyond the normal restrictions associated with fusion. All other outcomes were deemed uncertain. 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. For now, its recommended that you still avoid high-impact activities, such as contact sports and extreme sports. You can expect to be in the hospital for one to five days, depending on your recovery and post-surgery abilities, health, and activities. Some recommendations are going to be similar to what people tell you to do even when your back is healthy. And then you need to look at an extremely important factor most health professionals ignore: your pain system. However, its not a disease, its a mechanical failure of the spine after forces become concentrated in a particular area due to the inflexibility of a fused joint. Also follow these tips for an optimal recovery: Exercise is an important part of your recovery process and is not to be neglected. However, for 10-20% of patients, the pain will continue until the nerve starts to heal. Sometimes longer for those who have additional surgeries or risk factors. In this article, we'll explore strategies for shortening your spinal fusion surgery recovery and maintaining lasting pain relief. Placement is maintained by the use of the appropriate size titanium screws and perhaps a plate or rod if the pathology is severe. can put unnecessary stress on the fusion site. I was still taking pain meds throughout the day but had started weaning myself off the Oxycodone. . At this stage, you will visit your orthopedic specialist to confirm the surgery was successful and that your vertebrae have fused as expected. The surgeon will decide when to release you back to work at your follow-up visit. Today, Dr. Fineberg consistently interacts with and contributes to a growing body of research regarding the identification and treatment of congenital deformations, spinal defects, and diseases of the vertebral column. Luckily, minimally invasive surgeries reduce the need for addictive opioids. 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. 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. This is because spinal surgery involves navigating delicate nerve structures, including the spinal cord and spinal nerve roots. Our backs are the part of our bodies that allow us to perform nearly all, . In younger and/or more physically fit individuals, recovery time can range anywhere from 46 weeks. Read Also: Breast Pain Years After Breast Reduction. While every surgery is different, there are recovery milestones that you can expect as you heal. You may have trouble sitting or standing in one position for very long. In the United States - Caution: The TOPS System is an investigational Device. 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. Bone from the iliac crest (hip), local bone from the operative site, allograft bone and other bone may be used as a bone graft. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about the conservative and surgical treatment options we provide here at Spine Center Atlanta, dont hesitate to reach out. For some, doctors prescribe a back brace to limit motion. It is even possible to perform fusion surgery on an outpatient basis in certain cases. I walked slowly, but I was steady on my feet. If you have a physically strenuous job, your physical therapist can tailor your exercise program to include work conditioning. Although the recovery process can be frustrating, a successful surgery is so worth the result! Fusion takes time. Also, they suggest this prevents the brace from rubbing and causing irritation. Our practice will be 45 minutes and will take place in Room 033 at the Recreation Center (Tampa campus). I had a patient once who had a problem with her neck. You can read more about these broad milestones and when theyll occur below. Whether immediately or months after your procedure, pain and other symptoms may returna phenomenon known as failed back surgery . Mindful exercise now aids the fusion process happening at your spine, as movement stimulates healing and helps your bones to fuse. Neither does your pharmacist or your physical therapist. After the fusion surgery, the postoperative team will check vitals and ensure the patient is in stable condition. Photo Source: 123RF.com. There are many myths surrounding stem cell therapy and it can be overwhelming to separate fact from fiction. There will be a Bollywood Fusion practice right after at 5pm, so we encourage you to sign-up for it as well!. Spinal fusion surgery is primarily a stabilization procedure. It may take 4 to 6 weeks to get back to doing simple activities, such as light housework. If your back still hurts years after spinal fusion, its likely due to increased stress and degeneration of the adjacent spinal segments. What is The Best Painkiller For Spinal Stenosis? Have the staples or stitches removed about 2 weeks after surgery. 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. 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. Talk to your doctor or physical therapist about whether you should wear back support. we got home, I somehow managed to walk through the front door, hobble up the stairs, and heave myself into bed, where I would stay for most of the next 10 days. Although nerve damage is possible during spinal surgery, surgeons use many different techniques to prevent this complication. 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. 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. Hence, if you have new or returned problems, getting to the bottom of why is key.