How long does it take to fully recover from spinal fusion surgery?

Your Recovery You may have trouble sitting or standing in one position for very long and may need pain medicine in the weeks after your surgery. It may take 4 to 6 weeks to get back to doing simple activities, such as light housework. It may take 6 months to a year for your back to get better completely.

How long does it take for nerves to heal after spinal fusion?

Complete recovery from spinal fusion surgery usually takes up to 8 months, with the bone continuing to evolve for 12 to 18 months. In some situations where the nerves had significant injury prior to surgery, it may take up to 1 to 2 years to see how well the nerves will heal.

How much should I be walking after spinal fusion?

Walking is the best activity you can do for the first 6 weeks after surgery. You should start out slowly and work up to walking 30 minutes at least twice a day. Do not be surprised if you require frequent naps during the day.

How long will my back hurt after spinal fusion?

As the back continues to heal, patients usually start to feel better and find they can take on more activities. The worst pain is generally over by 4 weeks after surgery. Pain is likely to continue to decrease gradually, but some patients continue to have pain 3 to 6 months after surgery.

What is the best exercise after spinal fusion?

Aerobic exercise is also important to help the fusion set up well….Low-Impact Aerobic Exercise after Spinal Fusion: Examples

• Brisk walking.
• Swimming.
• Exercising using equipment available in most gyms or for purchase for the home, such as stationary bikes, elliptical trainers, and stair climbers.

Why do my legs hurt after spinal fusion?

Although spine surgery has become much more reliable in the last 20 years or so, some patients will still have leg pain after a lumbar decompression surgery for spinal stenosis or a disc herniation. Sometimes this is a temporary condition as the nerve root or roots take time to heal. This can take days to weeks.

Will I ever be the same after spinal fusion?

You may feel like a new person after recovering from the surgery, but in time, the effects of altering the natural structure of your spine will show in different ways, depending on the extensiveness of the spinal surgery and your body’s ability to adapt to the changes.

Can you ruin a spinal fusion?

Can one bend ruin a spinal fusion? After undergoing spinal fusion, doctors advised that patients should avoid excessive bending, twisting, and straining to protect the fusion while it heals. You can ruin your spinal fusion if you bend excessively.