Lumbar spinal fusion surgery has a high success rate for stabilizing two or more vertebrae but the recovery time can vary depending on many factors. Therefore postoperative care is very important. Some of these factors include other medical conditions, the extent of the surgery, and how closely the care instructions are followed. Most people are sent home from the hospital about 2 to 4 days after the surgery. Whereas it can take up to 3 months or longer to return to more physical activities. Some patients need to wear a brace during the recovery period which limits their motion. In this article, we will discuss postoperative care for spinal fusion surgery.

Hospital care after spinal fusion surgery

Hospital recovery after the surgery requires focusing on managing pain and learning how to move safely. Most patients experience drowsiness and pain upon waking up after the surgery which lasts for a couple of days. The medication may be given in the vein or by injecting into the muscle of the leg or arm. After a few days as the pain reduces, the patient is transferred to oral medication.

A physical therapist helps patients to learn the safest ways to sit, stand, walk, and take part in other activities keeping the spine aligned correctly and avoiding twisting it. In some cases, the use of a walker is advised for stability whereas some patients are fitted with a back brace to limit motion in the spine.

Spinal fusion surgery recovery

• First few days after discharge

Some basic activity restrictions during the early stages of recovery include:

• Do not lift anything heavier than a gallon of milk; about 8 pounds.
• Do not bend your spine.
• Avoid twisting the spine.
• As pain relief and other medications continue after surgery, it may cause drowsiness and reduced coordination. Therefore driving is not allowed.

It is advised to arrange help with daily chores such as cooking, washing laundry, cleaning, and grocery shopping.

• 1 to 4 weeks

Patients usually feel much better at this point but need to be aware of infection risks and medication issues. Infections of the surgical site are most likely to arise about 3 to 4 weeks after surgery. Some symptoms of infection include fever, increasing back pain, redness at the incision site, and change in the amount or appearance of drainage. If any of these signs appear, contact your surgeon immediately. It is important to keep your incision clean to avoid infections. Opioid pain medication is prescribed after the surgery but the patient must be instructed on how to gradually wean off the medication after a few weeks.

The worst pain after lumbar spinal fusion surgery is over in 4 weeks. It gradually decreases but some patients continue to have pain 6 months after surgery. Patients can continue physical activities but vigorous exercise is not advised. Progress in daily activities is apparent and many patients start working with a physical therapist after a couple of months. Complete recovery usually takes up to 8 months.

Read a complete guide on Spinal Fusion Surgery: All You Need to Know About Spinal Fusion

Looking for a surgeon in Los Angeles?

If you are looking for a spine specialist in Los Angeles, we recommend you to visit Dr. Moksha Ranasinghe at Southern California Brain & Spine Surgery. She can walk you through everything including the procedure and recovery time. You can rely on her for top-quality healthcare service for your spinal treatment. You can book an appointment by visiting their website or call at (213) 369 4583.