When can I go back to work after spinal surgery?

When can I go back to work after spinal surgery?

If you had spinal fusion, you will probably be off work for 4 to 6 weeks if you are young and healthy and your job is not very strenuous. It may take 4 to 6 months for older people with more extensive surgery to get back to work.

How long does it take to recover from major spinal surgery?

It can take 6 months to a year for your backbone to heal. A laminectomy or discectomy removes a bit of tissue from the spine area. You may get better in 12 weeks. Whichever you had, care for your back after surgery usually follows the same general steps.

Do and don’ts after spinal surgery?

Avoid activities that require bending, twisting, lifting more than 5 pounds (about 1 gallon of milk), or push/pulling. Do not stand or sit for too long. If you have had a spinal fusion, avoid lifting objects above your head until the fusion is fully healed.

How long will I be out of work after herniated disc surgery?

In about a week, most patients are able to return to work; those with very physical jobs will need to wait until they have fully recovered, however. Full recovery usually occurs in about 8 weeks, and at that time patients can go about all their normal physical activities with no restrictions.

How should I sit after lower back surgery?

After surgery, avoid sitting in soft chairs and on couches where your hips drop below your knees. If a chair is too high for you, place your feet on a small stool or box to help maintain correct sitting posture. Take frequent breaks by standing up and stretching every 30 to 45 minutes.

Is herniated disc surgery worth it?

Doctors usually consider surgery to remove the offending disc — a discectomy — if the pain continues for six weeks. But some patients who’ve had the surgery say it wasn’t worth it. And sometimes the pain of a herniated disc later gets better without surgery.

How should you lay in bed after back surgery?

Sleep Comfortably It is generally OK after back surgery to sleep in whatever position is most comfortable. Some prefer to sleep on one side or the other with a pillow between their knees and/or behind them to support the back.

How should I sit after lumbar surgery?

What can you not do after herniated disc surgery?

It’s important not to put unnecessary strain on your back after herniated disc surgery. Avoid bending at the waist for two to four weeks after the procedure. Do not twist your body. Don’t lift objects heavier than five pounds.

How long does it take to walk after spinal surgery?

You’ll be encouraged to walk and move around the day after surgery and it’s likely you’ll be discharged 1 to 4 days afterwards. It will take about 4 to 6 weeks for you to reach your expected level of mobility and function (this will depend on the severity of your condition and symptoms before the operation).

How long should you rest after back surgery?

On the day of your back surgery, your main objective will be to rest. While some patients are discharged on the day of their operation, most stay in the hospital for one to five days. You will be able to go home once you have good control of your pain and are able to walk, eat and use the restroom independently.

Is it OK to sleep in a recliner after back surgery?

Sleeping in a recliner after back surgery Sitting in a reclined position is less stressful for your back than sitting in an upright chair. However, it’s a good idea to make sure that your recliner offers adequate back support so you’re not sitting with a curved spine and putting more stress on your back.

How should I sleep after lower back surgery?

The best sleeping position to reduce your back pain after surgery is either on your back with your knees bent and a pillow under your knees or on your side with your knees bent and a pillow between your legs.

Is a recliner good after back surgery?

Recliners can help ease pressure on your lower back, and sitting on something cushioned, such as an inflatable donut pillow or hemorrhoid pillow, can make sitting more tolerable. If you’re having extensive surgery, you may want to consider renting an adjustable bed for the postoperative recovery period.

Can you walk after herniated disc surgery?

You’ll be able to walk after your surgery, but you can’t drive for a while. So, arrange for someone to take you home from the hospital. Also, enlist a friend or relative to drive you wherever you’ll need to go for a few days. After surgery, it’s important to keep your spine straight.

When do you go back to work after spinal fusion?

If you had spinal fusion, you will probably be off work for 4 to 6 weeks if you are young and healthy and your job is not very strenuous. It may take 4 to 6 months for older people with more extensive surgery to get back to work. Length of recovery also depends on how bad your condition was before surgery.

Can a person go back to work after back surgery?

Even people requiring bigger surgeries like spinal fusion are 90% likely to return to work and stay at work long term. While most people recover from back pain through exercise and healthy lifestyles, those who require surgery can expect to return to work and “get their life back” too.

How long does it take to recover from spine surgery?

It may take 4 to 6 months for older people with more extensive surgery to get back to work. Length of recovery also depends on how bad your condition was before surgery.

How many people work full time after spine surgery?

Interestingly, of the 124 patients undergoing a short fusion, namely a fusion of one or two levels to control an unstable segment or something similar, 90% were still working full time four years after surgery.

If you had spinal fusion, you will probably be off work for 4 to 6 weeks if you are young and healthy and your job is not very strenuous. It may take 4 to 6 months for older people with more extensive surgery to get back to work. Length of recovery also depends on how bad your condition was before surgery.

When to go back to work after lumbar decompression surgery?

You may be asked to return to hospital for one or more follow-up appointments in the weeks after your operation to check how you’re doing. When you can go back to work will depend on how quickly you heal after surgery and the type of job you do. Most people return to work after 4 to 6 weeks, if their job isn’t too strenuous.

It may take 4 to 6 months for older people with more extensive surgery to get back to work. Length of recovery also depends on how bad your condition was before surgery.

What to expect in the first week after back surgery?

During the first few weeks after your surgery, it is extremely important that you follow your doctor’s exact orders. This is the period of time when some of the most significant healing will happen in your body. This period of time can make or break the success of your procedure.