Lumbar Spine Fusion Protocol

Lumbar spine fusion is a surgical procedure performed to treat problems like spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, and spine deformities. In this procedure, two or more bones in the spine are joined together so they don’t move, and this helps make the spine more stable and can reduce pain.

However, spinal fusion can help many people feel better, but it also has some risks. One of the most important things to know is that this surgery often leads to restrictions on how you move and what you can do later.

In this article, we will discuss the long-term changes and limits that patients may face after having lumbar spine fusion.

What is Lumbar Spine Fusion?

Lumbar fusion is a spine surgery that connects two or more bones in your lower back. The surgery helps the bones grow together into one solid bone and reduces movement between them, relieving pain caused by conditions like degenerative disc disease and spondylolisthesis. Additionally, it is also done along with another surgery to remove pressure from the spine. If a lot of bone is removed, the spine may become unstable, so fusion helps keep it strong.

There are two main types of spinal fusion:

‣ Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion

It is typically performed as an open surgery to provide clear visualization of the disc space and vasculature. However, in this approach, the spine is approached from the front of the body to remove all or part of a herniated disc from between two adjacent vertebrae in the lumbar spine.

‣ Posterior Lumbar Fusion

It may also be performed either as an open surgery or using minimally invasive techniques, however, the incisions are made from the back over the area to be fused. 

Why is Lumbar Spine Fusion Performed?

Spinal fusion may help relieve symptoms caused by:

‣ Shape of the Spine

Spinal fusion is a type of surgery that can fix issues with the shape of your spine, as it can be used when the spine curves to the side, called scoliosis.

‣ Spinal Weakness

Sometimes, the spine can become unstable if there is too much movement between two spinal bones. This often happens because of severe arthritis. It can help make the spine stable again.

‣ Damaged Disk

If a disk in the spine is damaged, doctors might remove it to relieve pain. After the disk is removed, spinal fusion can be done to make the spine stable.

Why You Should Consider Getting a Lumbar Spine Fusion?

If you have long-lasting lower back, hip, and leg pain. This surgery may be needed if any of the following problems cause your pain:

• If you have arthritis in the spine, it causes swelling and damage in the joints between the bones of the spine.
• Spine problems from birth, such as scoliosis.
• Broken bones in the spine, which is known as spinal fractures.
• If you see any infection that affects the bones and tissues in your spine.
• When the muscles, ligaments, and discs that support your spine become weak and damaged.
• A narrow spinal canal (spinal stenosis) puts pressure on the spinal cord and nerves and may cause pain in the lower back and legs.
• A slipped vertebra (spondylolisthesis) is one of the bones in your spine that moves out of its usual place.
• Spinal tumors are abnormal growths in and around the spine.

Recovery Tips For Lumbar Spine Fusion

⦿ Spinal Fusion Recovery:

Recovery after spinal fusion surgery is different for everyone. It depends on your health, how well your body heals, your age, and your weight. Here is what most people can expect during recovery:

⦿ The First Few Days After Surgery

After surgery, you will stay in the hospital for 2 to 4 days. Doctors and nurses will check your pain and make sure your surgery goes well. You’ll meet with physical and occupational therapists who will help you to sit up and stand safely, get in and out of bed, walk without bending, and take care of your surgery wound, and you may also be given a back brace to keep your spine in the right position.

⦿ Week 1 to Week 4

You need to take proper rest and help your spine to start healing, you may still need pain medicine, you might begin physical therapy, depending on your doctor’s advice, need to avoid bending your back, twisting your spine, lifting anything heavier, and driving as well.

⦿ Week 5 to Week 9

Physical therapy has become more important for your spine to continue to heal, you will slowly start doing simple activities like walking more, and you can drive if your doctor says it is ok. But, you still need to avoid bending and twisting your back.

⦿ Week 10 to Week 24

Now you can start light exercises and stretching, and cardio exercises. Your physical therapist can help you make a workout plan, but you can avoid lifting heavy things and bending too much.

⦿ 6 Months to 1 Year

You will talk to your orthopedic surgeon to check if your spine has fused properly. If everything is normal, then you will be allowed to go back to most normal activities like twisting and bending. You should avoid extreme sports and very hard physical work unless your doctor says it’s okay.

⦿ 1 to 2 Years

Most people feel fully recovered after 1 year. You can do all your normal activities. However, your spine will keep healing for up to 18 months. If you have nerve damage, it may take up to 2 years to fully recover.

Lumbar Spine Fusion Recovery Exercises You Can Do at Home

⦿ Walking

Walking is one of the best exercises you can do to recover. Start with short and slow walks because it helps your blood flow and supports recovery.

⦿ Gentle Stretching

You can do light stretches, which can help your body heal, pointing and flexing your feet, and gently stretching your back.

⦿ Abdominal Tightening

Lie flat on your back bend your knees and place your hands on your ribs, then, tighten your belly muscles and hold for 5 seconds.

⦿ Straight Leg Raise

You should lie on your back, bend one leg, keep the other one straight, tighten your belly muscles, and slowly lift the straight leg. Hold for 5 seconds, then lower it. You can repeat 10 times for each leg.

What are the benefits of Lumbar Spine Fusion Surgery?

Lumbar spine fusion has various benefits: 

🟢 Pain Relief

Spinal fusion surgery can help reduce long-lasting back pain by making the spine more stable.

🟢 Better Stability

It gives more support to your spine in conditions like one bone in the spine slipping out of place (spondylolisthesis).

🟢 Fixes Spine Problems

This surgery can help correct spine problems like a curved spine (scoliosis).

🟢 Improves Nerve Problems

It can take pressure off the nerves, which may reduce numbness, weakness, and pain.

🟢 Better Daily Life

A successful surgery can help you move better and make everyday activities easier.

Factors That Can Slow Down Recovery Time

After spine surgery, it usually takes 3 to 6 months for the bones to join together and become one solid bone. But for some people, this healing process can take longer because of some reasons such as:

• People who smoke and use tobacco, because of the harmful chemicals in nicotine, can slow down bone healing.
• Those who are overweight and have weak bones (osteoporosis).
• Some people have problems like diabetes, which can take a longer time to fully recover.
• Depression can affect the body’s ability to heal.
• Using strong pain medicines for a long time before surgery.
• Taking medicines like prednisone can weaken bones.

What Happens if You Bend After Spinal Fusion Surgery?

Every person is different, and how much someone can bend after surgery depends on their condition. In most cases, people are still able to bend after the surgery, but how far they can bend depends. Yet, right after surgery, bending is not allowed because the spine needs time to heal.

Note: However, some non-surgical treatments have shown very good results. These methods have helped many people avoid the need for surgery.

What Can You Never Do Again After Lumbar Spine Fusion?

Before you have the surgery, talk to your doctor about what activities you may need to avoid later. This will help you understand the benefits and possible risks.

If there are no problems, there are only a few things you can’t do after having a spinal fusion. However, you should avoid activities that put a lot of pressure on your spine. You may also need to stay away from certain types of physical work that involve heavy lifting, repeated bending, twisting, and putting stress on your lower back.

Over 300,000 lumber spine surgeries are performed in the United States and India alone, and over 199,884 spine surgeries are performed. However, lumber spine surgery is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures, and it is generally safe, but it does have some common risks, which include infection, bleeding, nerve damage, and blood clots.

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