Permanent Restrictions after Spinal Fusion – What Do the Doctors Say?

Due to the metals, screws, or rods fixed inside the vertebrae, there are a few permanent restrictions after spinal fusion that you need to know.

You must have heard about the permanent restrictions after lumbar spinal fusion from the survivors. And you must be worried about your future and life after fusion. Well, know that it’s normal to worry about your post-surgery life.

There are several spinal fusion work restrictions and weight lifting restrictions after the surgery. However, some fortunate people recover sooner and appear as they have never had fusion surgery. In fact, most recoverers start going back to work within six months.

Limitation after spinal fusion depends on how many levels are involved. If you had single-level fusion surgery, you won’t even feel anything after the spinal fusion.

However, multi-level fusion is concerned with long-term problems after spinal fusion surgery. And if you don’t follow the doctor’s advice, it can have even severe complications later in life.  

Are There any Permanent Restrictions after Spinal Fusion?

If you are experiencing pain and inflammation while living with spinal fusion surgery, don’t panic, it’s a part of the healing process.

The pain after spinal surgery lasts for four weeks maximum. After that, the pain will gradually start to lessen down. And over the period of eight months or so, you won’t feel any pain at all!

Other than pain and swelling that occurs during the recovery process, your doctor will ask you to avoid performing certain tasks till you are recovered completely.

Though usually, there aren’t any significant permanent restrictions after back surgery. However, the period from seconds after the surgery till six months of spinal fusion has a few Restrictions and work limitations.

Now to understand why there are any restrictions after spinal fusion anyway, you must first know the process of spinal fusion surgery and what is going on inside your body. Let’s study them one by one:

First three months limitations after spinal fusion

The first three months after surgery are the most crucial to spend for the patients. As your joints are getting fused artificially, you don’t want them to heal the wrong way. This is why doctors suggest you specifically avoid these three movements to not strain the vertebral discs:

• Bending forwards or backward
• Twisting at any angle
• Heavy lifting

Bending, twisting, and weight lifting after back surgery might loosen the screw or worse, displace or break them. Plus, the consequences of any of these movements will be so severe, and you might have to go through another spinal surgery.

If you are worried about how to decrease mobility after lumbar spinal fusion, listen to your doctor. The consultants suggest you wear a back brace that will help you to avoid bending and heavy lifting after spinal fusion.

Three to six months restrictions after surgery

At this stage, your bones are pretty much restored and allow slight movements of the spine. You can start with lighter tasks that do not put too much pressure on the discs.

Start with bending slightly and slowly. You can even tilt your back left or right. Plus, your spine will allow you to lift lightweight as well. However, your body will still not be able to lift heavy objects. And you won’t be allowed to perform vigorous movements and exercise.

NOTE: Glue this point to your mind: Do not perform any of these movements at the same time. Remember that your body is still healing and demands rest more than physical activity. So take it easy.

Moreover, at this point, you should start seeing a physiotherapist, or you can appoint one even before three months.

Spinal fusion restrictions after six months

You are almost there!

There are little to no restrictions after six months of cervical or lumbar fusion. It all depends on your body strength and how much strain it can handle.

After six months of spinal fusion, you will most likely be able to perform all your physical tasks like before. You should not experience any pain in doing any physical activity. However, this does not mean you should start lifting dumbbells and run after your pet.

As we said before, take it slowly and smartly, your life will be the same as before. Just be patient.

Related: What to Expect Six (06) Months after Spinal Fusion

Spinal Fusion After Effects – What to Expect?

After a six or eight-month period, your spine is pretty much under control, but you have to be conscious while making any movements.

There are almost negligible permanent restrictions after spinal fusion. However, your doctor will advise some of the long-term spinal fusion restrictions. They are as follows:

• No sports, if you had a multi-level surgery.
• You can run or jog, but not like before
• Swimming or walking won’t be affected. However, you will have to set a limit to it.
• No Major spinal fusion work restrictions
• Avoid heavy lifting after back surgery.

Related: Spinal Fusion Complications Years Later – Long-term Effects of Spinal Fusion

FAQs

Conclusion

In simple words, there aren’t any permanent restrictions after spinal fusion, yet it varies from person to person. And it also depends on the severity of injury and levels of spinal fusion.

For instance, in some patients, there are no restrictions on weight lifting after spinal fusion (after they have passed three to six months of the recovery period of course).

Whereas, some severely injured patients with advanced levels of spinal surgery have long-term spinal fusion restrictions. Visit our website to know more about short and long-term effects after fusion surgery.

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Life after Spinal Fusion Surgery; the Goods and the Bads

Spinal Fusion Recovery Tips that Will Help You Recover Faster