How long does it take for a spinal fusion wound to heal?
Your Recovery It may take 4 to 6 weeks to get back to doing simple activities, such as light housework. It may take 6 months to a year for your back to get better completely. You may need to wear a back brace while your back heals. And your doctor may have you go to physiotherapy.
Where is the incision for spinal fusion?
Incision. To gain access to the vertebrae being fused, the surgeon makes an incision in one of three locations: in your neck or back directly over your spine, on either side of your spine, or in your abdomen or throat so that your surgeon can access the spine from the front.
How can I make my spinal fusion heal faster?
Use heat and ice. Alternating heat and ice packs on your back can help ease your pain, but be careful not to get the site of the surgery wet until you are cleared by your doctor to do so. Take pain medication. Your doctor will prescribe you medication to take after your surgery and recommend over-the-counter options.
When can I bend over after spinal fusion?
Once the surgeon confirms on x-ray imaging that the fusion has completely solidified into one bone, a full return to an active lifestyle—including bending, lifting, and twisting—is permitted. This approval typically occurs about 6 months after the surgery, but sometimes it may take closer to 12 months.
How long does it take for a spinal fusion to fuse?
While it typically takes 3 to 6 months for adjacent vertebrae to fuse into one solid bone after surgery, the healing and fusion process may take longer in some patients due to: Smoking or other nicotine products (which contain toxins that hamper bone growth)
What is a Level 1 spinal fusion?
Fusion of only one motion segment of the spine (e.g. L5-S1) is referred to as a single level fusion. Multilevel spinal fusion refers to fusion of more than one spinal disc level (e.g. L3-L4 and L4-L5 fusions). When a multilevel spinal fusion is performed, it is almost always on contiguous spinal levels.