How Long Does It Take To Recover From A Spinal Fusion?

Life after spinal surgery naturally consists of a recovery period, but you can resume an active life in most cases.

Spinal surgery may keep you in the hospital for several days. After surgery, you can expect to be in the hospital for several days. The extent of spinal surgery will determine your length of stay, and in some cases, you may have to be transferred to a rehabilitation unit for a week or two.

You can expect some pain after spinal surgery. You will also experience pain after surgery, but the doctor will control it. Ordinarily you will have an IV-induced pain reliever for the first day or two, and after that the doctor will prescribe an oral pain reliever.

Recovery can take weeks or months. Depending on your age, you can expect a recovery period of several weeks to several months. Healing from spinal surgery can be compared to that of healing from a broken bone, which typically takes about six weeks.

A physical therapist will help you approach movement differently. A physical therapist will teach you that proper movement is imperative to your recovery. You can expect to be taught different ways of sitting, standing, moving and walking.

Spinal surgery may mean the end of a sports career. Regaining your former activity level is going to depend on the type of surgery you have undergone. In some cases, you may not be able to return to high energy sports, such as football or wrestling.

I had spinal fusion done from L4 to T10 and a bone graft done exactly 6 weeks ago and I'm 23 with 2 toddlers and the bone graft is pretty sore and I can't lift bend or twist but I can cook and little things like that myself but I haven't tried driving yet still on some pain meds. But every day gets easier and after 6 weeks you can swim and its the best physical therapy and I have done a lot of therapy . But not back to work till 6 months post op hopefully.

Hello! II am two weeks after dynamic spinal stabilization on L4 and L5 I am off all pain meds have been walking 4 times a day but I seem to have stiffened up a bit. Has anyone else experience with the dynesis system? Ie recovery period etc  It was done because I had a massive herniated disc and degenerating discs on two levels. I am a normally fit and sporty person so it is a huge shock to my system. I am a bit blue!!   L

I have to have a back fusion on L3-L4, L4-L5,  How long will it take for me to recover?

Well, I just had a birdcage attached to my spine from my L4 to my lumbar & pelvic area one month ago exactly & although I feel amazing comparitively speaking, I definitly couldn't work any time soon. I'm still afraid to cough or sneeze or make any sudden movements. I move really carefully, don't bend, lift or twist in any extreme manner & I don't trust myself to drive alone w/ our toddler so I make sure I have what I need at home & am anticipating at least another month before I think I'll even contiplate working. I guess in reality, however, we're all different & will heal at a different rate, probably was the best thing I could have ever done for myself was quit smoking 2 months before the surgery!!! Having said all that, I wish you all the best!! I hope it works out for you like it has for me so far!!!

Spinal fusion is a surgical technique which is used to treat degenerative disc disease, spinal tumor, vertebral fracture, spinal disc herniation, discogenic pain, spondylosis and any condition which causes instability of the spine. Recovery time of the spinal fusion is individual response of the patient. But it can take 3-6 months. During this period your doctor may ask for different tests and prescribe medicine to treat pain.

A friend of mine had the fusion on his 4th and 5th vertebrae and was back on his feet in 2 weeks.He was in the hospital only 3 days!

I'm at 2 months and in more pain than ore surgery! Still praying! We will see!

It can be from a week or so to more than 12 weeks, depending on the surgery and what structures are involved.  Rarely, the more complicated cases require a 'halo' to hold the head in place while healing takes place, but most cases use a foam or padded cervical collar.

An alternative to fusion can have faster recovery and better mobility after recovery.  Look up ADR  Artificial Disc Replacement.  It is FDA approved for lumbar and single level cervical fusions.