Spinal fusion surgery is a spine-strengthening procedure that connects two or more vertebrae of the spine together. It is done to stabilize the spine, reduce pain, or address issues like scoliosis. To take care of yourself after a spinal fusion surgery, follow your surgeon’s directions and engage in pain-relief activities. Doctors may recommend gentle walking and carrying out basic daily living activities but avoiding bending, lifting, or twisting motions. Wearing a back brace can limit the risk of complications.
To maintain strength and prevent blood clots in your legs, walk around your house at least every 1 1/2 hours while you are awake. Spinal fusion recovery can take anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks up to 3 months, depending on your level of activity. To care for your incision after surgery, allow any Steri-Strips (small adhesive tapes) to be allowed.
Postoperative care includes pain management, activity restrictions, and monitoring for complications. After a lumbar spinal fusion has had 3 months of healing, it is time for physical activity. Change your position about every 30 minutes while sitting or standing to decrease back pain while healing. You may need to take at least 4 to 6 weeks off from work depending on the type of work you do and how you feel.
Maintain personal hygiene by bending from the knees while wiping and using a long-handled device for personal hygiene. Keep the wound dry for 5-7 days and cover the incision with plastic material while showering. Avoid bending, twisting, and lifting, but resume cardio and stretching your stiff muscles.
Pain management is key after surgery, with medications, gentle movement, and physical therapy helping ease discomfort while supporting healing. Avoid high-impact activities and take only short walks for the first 2 weeks after surgery. If it does not cause much pain, go up or down stairs once a day for the first 1 or 2 weeks.
Give yourself time to rest after back surgery and avoid strenuous activities that could cause injury or hinder healing.
📹 Must Have Equipment After Spine Surgery
Here is the suggested equipment to use after spine surgery. Having equipment after spine surgery is necessary to help with every …
How many days rest is needed after spine surgery?
Spinal fusion surgery typically requires a 4- to 6-week absence from work for young, healthy individuals with a non-stricken job, and up to 4 to 6 months for older individuals with more extensive surgery. Recovery time depends on the severity of the condition before surgery. Bandages or tape may fall off within 7 to 10 days, and if not, the patient may remove them themselves. Incision pain, numbness, and redness may occur, and daily check-ups are recommended.
Is walking good after spinal fusion?
Walking is an essential component of the postoperative recovery process for individuals undergoing spinal fusion surgery. It has been demonstrated to enhance circulation, reduce the risk of blood clots, and facilitate healing. The pace and distance increase in accordance with the individual’s strength and endurance. The rate of recovery from spinal fusion surgery is contingent upon a number of factors, including the specifics of the surgical procedure, the patient’s overall health, their capacity for exercise, and the rate at which the body heals.
Can I live alone after back surgery?
After surgery, it is crucial to avoid self-healing and seek help from a family member or friend during the initial days and weeks of recovery. If no one is available, consult Dr. Mark Giovanini about coordinating home health care services. Keep toiletry items, kitchen utensils, and disposable cutlery in easily accessible areas to prevent excessive bending or lifting. Rearrange furniture to prevent health risks, and consider staying with a friend with a single-story house or moving your bed downstairs to avoid stairs. Rearranging your living quarters and rearranging furniture can also help prevent potential health risks.
What is the fastest way to recover from a spinal fusion?
Spinal fusion surgery is a major procedure that connects vertebrae of the spine to stabilize it, reduce pain, or address issues like scoliosis. Recovery time is lengthy, with most people not able to resume all their usual activities for at least 6 months, and it may be 1 year or more before some activities can be attempted. To ensure successful recovery, follow your treatment plan, wear a brace and assistive devices, keep moving, avoid smoking, eat a balanced diet, try heat and ice, sleep comfortably, and get plenty of sleep.
What do I need at home after spinal fusion surgery?
During recovery from spine surgery, it is essential to take a detailed checklist of items that will help you feel comfortable and refreshed both in the hospital and at home. These items include heating pads, a mini fridge, online support, grabber tools, squeeze bottles, extra pillows, a 45-degree wedge pillow, recliner, and donut cushions, and a shower mat. These tips are tailored for back or neck surgery involving a hospital stay, but can apply to any type of surgery and hospital stay.
What not to do after spinal fusion surgery?
In order to manage post-surgical pain, it is advisable to avoid prolonged periods of sitting, lying down, or standing, and to cease any activities that may exacerbate the pain. The application of ice to the affected area is recommended as a means of reducing post-surgical swelling.
What is the fastest way to recover from spinal surgery?
It is of the utmost importance to engage in active recovery, as recommended by a qualified physiotherapist. To ensure optimal outcomes, it is essential to adhere to the prescribed exercise regimen and to avoid prolonged periods of sitting or standing, which should not exceed 15 to 20 minutes. Walking is an efficacious method of maintaining activity levels; however, it is advisable to refrain from heavy lifting, awkward twisting, and leaning during routine activities until such time as the patient feels well enough to resume these activities. Subsequent appointments may be necessary in the postoperative period to assess progress.
Can I take care of myself after back surgery?
After spinal surgery, it is crucial to avoid strenuous activities and household tasks that strain the back. Attend all prescribed physical therapy sessions and avoid driving for the first two weeks. The type of surgery determines aftercare, and additional guidelines for home care are provided. Pain management is essential, and patience and attentiveness are required. There are several types of back surgeries, and following the surgeon’s instructions is essential for a rapid recovery. Some common types of back surgeries include:
Can I live a normal life after spinal fusion?
Spinal fusion surgery is a common treatment for back pain and reduced flexibility due to fused vertebrae. To prepare for the procedure, follow these steps:
- A pre-surgery medical checkup and lab tests to ensure good health.
- A medication review, including all prescribed medications and vitamins. Follow the provider’s instructions to ensure safety during surgery and recovery.
- Support planning, including home assistance during restrictions like lifting and driving.
- Anesthesia planning, discussing anesthesia options with an anesthesiology team.
- Blood supply planning, discussing blood transfusions as a precaution.
- Nicotine use review and recommendations, as tobacco use can disrupt the body’s ability to heal and rebuild bone tissue.
- Cleansing instructions and supplies for the day of or the day before the procedure.
- Eating and drinking instructions, including fasting before surgery.
On the day of the spinal fusion, spend time in the preparation area, ensuring proper hygiene and nutrition. This includes avoiding smoking, vaping, or smokeless tobacco, as it can disrupt the body’s ability to heal and rebuild bone tissue.
How do you plan care after spinal fusion?
Following hospital discharge, it is of the utmost importance to rest for a period of 24-48 hours. During this time, it is essential to avoid any activities that require excessive bending, twisting, pushing, pulling, or lifting objects weighing over 5 pounds. Additionally, patients are advised to engage in ambulation twice daily for a minimum of 30 minutes, using a walker or cane as necessary. It is also crucial to avoid prolonged periods of sitting or standing for the initial two weeks.
Will I ever feel normal after spinal fusion?
After surgery, your back may feel stiff and sore, and it may take 4 to 6 weeks to fully recover from the procedure. It may take 6 months to a year for the back to fully recover. You may need to wear a back brace and undergo physiotherapy. If your job doesn’t require physical labor, you should be able to return to work after 4 to 6 weeks. If it does, it may take 3 to 6 months. If it does, you may need to find less strenuous work. Training programs can help.
📹 How to Use the Toilet After Back Surgery or Injury Recovery
0:00 Toileting after Back Surgery 0:33 Equipment 4:30 Clothing Management 6:39 Hygiene Products: Raised Toilet Seat …
Thanks for the suggestions! Having TLIF in two weeks after ending up in ER on vacation in Athens, Greece! Two years of steroid shots and PT didn’t make my pain any better, so I am very much looking forward to gardening and beekeeping and living an active life again! Hope your recovery continues to go awesomely!
Im on the list for this surgery, terrified, my home isnt ideal, has steps and winter here is icy, i also have a large old dog, that all worries me! I gotta go out and walk, so winter is gonna be hard here, having the op in spring or summer seems a good idea, im not sure i can wait, but will try! Thanks for the tips
What concerns me, is that I need either disc replacement or fusion L1 thru S2, plus Rotoscoliosis. Which I need surgery for, oh and I didn’t mention I need a cervical disc/or fusion due to cervical stenosis. I have severe pain in groin area, just had a hip replacement due to a fall, and… blah blah. I am 65. Just . In my past was very physical ( which of course exacerbated disc degeneration. So…. What do I do first? Low back, rotoscoliosis or neck? Oh, and I have MAST cell. Any suggestions???
Awesome walker techniques! Never thought of turning the walker backwards, but it can see it’d be very useful. We’ve had a bidet seat for years and when we bought it, it was just a luxury. Now, it’s a necessity! Use those hand held extenders, when we’re traveling and I cannot recommended them more. They are essential! Thanks for posting this article!
I just wanted to stop by and say thank you so much for this article. Last May my mom had to have her 4th major back surgery, and her 2nd fusion. I was not born yet for her first fusion, so I knew that things would look a lot different with this surgery than her 2nd and 3rd surgeries did. All of your tips helped me care for her at home so much easier than it would have been without. She LOVED the tool to give her the ability to help wipe herself on her own. During her first surgery, she had to have her mother or my father (her husband) come wipe her as these tools were not available to her (or at least no one showed them to her) in the 1980’s when she had the first fusion. She was so worried about needing to have someone come help her stay clean after surgery this go around; and when I surprised her with that tool, an extra set of reachers, and some other helpful/easy to maneuver clothing, I think it took a lot of her anxiety and worries away. For caregivers who aren’t sure how to help someone going through this surgery, articles like this are incredibly helpful. Thank you again so much, it truly made a bid difference in her recovery.
Great article! I’ll be having cervical ACDF surgery (C3-7), so I’m wondering what are the differences I’ll face compared to if I was having lumbar surgery. I understand that I won’t be able to tilt my neck, and I noticed as you were lowering yourself onto the seat, you tilted your head to look down (as I would normally do too.) I’m realizing just how often during the day I tend to look down or to the right or left. I am REALLY dreading this surgery based on all the limitations I’ll face afterwards (and having to wear that immobilizing collar for months), although I know it’s all necessary. Your articles are helping to ease my mind. Thank you for that.
Thank you for all the information. I subscribed to your website several months ago as I was prepping for l4/l5 fusion. I installed the toilet riser with handles and used the Juvo trying to get technique down about a week prior to surgery. I’m 5 days post surgery and discoved toilet riser due to smaller opening can make toileting aid a little tougher to use. I removed the riser and with reverse walker self toileting is actually relatively simple. Your articles were so informative that my preperation knowledge did not require an in hospital visit from occupational therapy. Continued success. You’re making a difference.
Thank you for posting this article! I accidentally came across it while researching my surgery procedure. I am having outpatient back surgery on my L-5 S-1 lumbar (facet fusion) and I was very concerned about using the toilet since they say you can’t bend your back for several weeks. I don’t have a walker so will need to order it from my Insurance company. That is brilliant putting it behind you to use! I am ordering the grabber which looks like a lifesaver from Amazon. But have never even seen a toilet paper grabber!! Wow…lol So I understand that’s to wipe the front. But how do you wipe the back with this thing becuz you can’t twist your back. Definitely have to order one before surgery!
I wish I had found this sooner. Nobody ever explained this stuff to me before I went home and now, I’m worried that I may have twisted or bent myself. One suggestion for àn additional article – how to deal with constipation without damaging yourself. I’ve used the stool softeners, the Miralax, the hydration, the high fiber foods and frequently have the urge to go. But it is still difficult to completely empty things out. I’ve a bad habit of leaning forward and straining till I feel like I’ve gotten everything out. I use a squatty potty but that seems to slow things down whereas the straining and leaning gets the job done… Still requiring a great deal of effort. But, at least I feel some relief. Now that I’ve seen this article, I’m going to refrain from leaning forward. But I’m scared that I may have already done some damage.
I wish I had known about this last week. I’ve been using the bathroom pretty normally, I mean as carefully as I can, but none of these tools. I’m hoping I didn’t risk reherniation. I’m one week after a microdiscectomy. No one told me about how to use the bathroom, just said no bending, twisting, or lifting. I’m getting scared bc I don’t want to go through that sciatic pain again. 😭 My back still feels sore at the surgical spot. Not sure what’s normal and what’s not.
Equipment OT I would love to know what your name is. For now, I’m going to call you, my angel. 🙏 thank you so much! I’ve been SoOooo worried about these details after my THR coming up in less than two weeks. Im going to recommend your article to the nurse coordinator. As compassionate and helpful, their team is, I am truly surprised they dont offer article links to your website already!
You should be more concerned about doctors sending patients home too soon. My hospital sent me home completely constipated. My toilet became clogged and I had to snake out my clogged toilet just one day after having back surgery! Sure do hope I didn’t ruin my back surgery!!! The hospital knew I hadn’t even passed gas, and yet they kicked me out of my hospital bed before I was even ready!
I am five weeks post laminectomy now and I just wanna thank you very much for all of your ideas. I implemented everyone of them and it made a huge difference. I also would like to suggest anyone that’s having any type of back surgery even hip or knee surgery put silk sheets on your bed, what a difference it makes for sliding around and getting in and out. Also put plastic bag on your car seat for the ride home or anytime you have to get in check ups. go to backend seat. It’s super easy to slide yourself around in one piece without scooting.
I really feel in a way you’re wrong when you’re using these tools to wipe yourself you’re saying to wipe yourself from the front back you’ll get an infection if you do that so how do you clean yourself from the back to the front you’ll get an infection so how do you do so you’re saying you can’t take your hand and wife from back to clean you up
Thank you so much for this helpful article that I need to know same to other patients that needs surgery. Really safe. Thanks a lot for making your article, priceless for the saving patients from risk/ful and the tips for comfortable especially when bathroom routine, cleanliness is very important . God bless you more more. Even for clothes the right to wear. Awesome article 👍👍👍👏👏👏
I agree with you. I was constipated after my lumbar Laminectomy as well for (9 whole days without having the urge to go). I tried every over the counter product without any success for about 3days. So I finally decided to go to the ER and have an X-ray done just to make sure I didn’t have any problems as far as being impacted or anything else. Thankfully it was not impacted (but I did have a large amount of bowel in my intestines. Finally I was prescribed Kristalose (lactose) 10mg 2x/day. And within 24 hours I had a BM. I was worried about twisting and bending as well. But I was told to wear my back brace while I went to the restroom, which helps keep you from doing just that. And as far as straining, I did very little of that and more so just relaxed and allowed it to come out on it’s own. Yes, it may take a little bit longer to empty out your bowels, but it reduces the strain that it ultimately puts on your lower back with straining. I had my surgery on Feb 10, 2022. And I think I put more strain on my back due to the fact of not properly doing log rolls. Now my back is in even more pain than I was when I first left the hospital. It feels extremely sore and painful even when I take my pain medication. I feel as though something is moving in my lower back and when lying down, it feels like I’m lying on a brick. As well as a sharp jolt like shooting pain going from my right thigh up to my right buttocks and finally into my lower back. I don’t know if that’s normal or what…I don’t even like standing up anymore because it’s so painful.
This woman does not have a clue if someone has an injury, surgery or is disabled how are they going to be physically able to perform the tasks that she is illustrating. When she’s showing you to pull your pants down she’s standing up with no help or bracing if someone has just had surgery they can’t do this. With the toilet paper example she’s using the verbiage of stand up, turn around, drop the toilet paper in the the toilet if someone is injured or recovering from surgery or disabled they are not going to be able to do these tasks. I’ve watched several of her articles and each one of them is the same thing expecting people with disabilities or injuries cannot perform these tasks that she is illustrating. Why do these articles show people that have no physical limitations, why not use someone that actually does have an issue whether it be an injury, recent surgery, or a disability. And able body person has no idea of the limitations or the pain that can come with trying to do these exercises.