6 weeks after l5/s1 fusion and decompression

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joannamaria

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I am new to the message board but am glad I found it. I've learned very much from reading here.

I just got back from my 6-week check-up with my doctor.

I was sort of expecting an x-ray to see how the fusion is doing, but he said he will x-ray it in 2 months. I was wondering if that was the norm with anyone else? He said I could do most anything now except not lift anything over 20-25 pounRAB.

Thanks for any input!
 
Hi Joanna, and welcome to the board!

Most people don't start showing fusion until at least 3 months. Many people take longer. So please don't fret about that.

Do still be careful, even though your doctor has lifted most of your restrictions. You're still healing and still trying to get a good solid fusion. Use common sense. Keep walking as much as you can, as it gets blood flowing around your spine. That's essential to bone growth.

You sound like things are going very well! Hang in there! It gets easier and easier from here!

Wishing you the best,
Emily
 
Hi and welcome to the board. I have found that each surgeon is different in their aftercare. My surgeon did not allow me to lift at all (except anything under the weight of a gallon of milk), to bend, or to twist until i was fully fused. I was not allowed to drive, do housework, do laundry, do cooking until I was 6 to 12 weeks out. It varied with each surgery I have had.

I had xrays taken at each appt 10 days out from surgery, 4 weeks out from surgery, 8 weeks out from surgery, 12 weeks out from surgery, 6 months out from surgery, 9 months out from surgery and one year. So you can see it varies by doctor.

Typically you will not see any fusion until you are 6 to 12 weeks out and it can take up to 18 months or so to fuse completely.

Personally, it sounRAB like your surgeon is a little less strict then mine but that again shows doctors vary in their beliefs. I would be a little cautious and not bend, or lift and let your pain guide you in your recover.

Good luck and remeraber that we are here for you if you have any questions.
 
Thank-you for your replies! I just came back from the Physical Therapist and he says I should take it easy as I'm only 6-weeks out. I'm starting strengthening exercizes.
It makes me question my doctor. I really like my doctor and he has a very good reputation. What were you guys able to do at 6-weeks out? Thanks again for any responses.
 
At 6 weeks out, I was still mostly lying down, being up as much as I could tolerate and walking whenever I got up. Take my case with a grain of salt. I was required to use a walker for the first 6 weeks because of complications with the anesthesia. My body was constantly deciding it was time to let everything go black, as my blood pressure dropped so low and we couldn't get it back up. Most people get their energy back faster than I did. I also had a lot of levels done, so my recovery was harder than average. But at 6 weeks out, you're still early on in this. Some people are able to walk several miles at that point, some are only able to handle a couple of blocks. Whatever YOU can do, you should, being careful of course and listening to your body. I didn't start PT until 4 months. I hope they're just doing gentle core strengthening with you. As you get stronger, you'll feel better and better, so as long as you aren't overdoing it, PT should be a great help.

Some doctors really play down the restrictions and how long and hard this recovery is. Maybe they really don't understand it, since they only see you every now and then once the surgery is over, or maybe they're just trying to be positive, which certainly has its merits. And everyone is different. So read here, listen to your doctor and your therapist, but mostly pay attention to your own body. It will tell you what you're ready for and what you aren't. If in doubt, don't do it!

Hang in there!
:wave: Emily
 
At 6 weeks out I was walking around a mile a day depending on how I felt and what else I had to do. I would fatigue easily and definitely had to intersperse time on the sofa with the activity. I had a 6 week post-op visit with xrays done at that time and inquired about physical therapy at that time. My neurosurgeon said that he preferred that I just continue to walk (didn't even want me on the treadmill at that time) on a level solid surface. He said we would discuss PT at my upcoming 4 month visit when I will have flexion/extension films done.

I think he might have been being very conservative though as I don't have hardware with my single level fusion (just a bone onlay side fusion). I am anxious to get some core strengthening now though as at over 4 months I'm walking about 2 1/2 miles a day and feel I'm ready for the core exercises. Still have days when my energy level isn't quite there yet, some pain issues in the late evening after activity during the day but thank goodness no weakness in the legs or nurabness.

It seems there is a wide range of return to activity with different doctors. I know my guy doesn't like to plant the seed of limitations in my mind when I ask him about certain activities, but he has been a little too optimistic about some things. I had a very physical type job and he had estimated (preoperatively) that I would be able to return with restrictions at six weeks although he didn't want me to do PT until 4 months! Go figure. Needless to say, that didn't work for me. But, everyone heals at a different rate and there are all different ages and pre-op abilities on the boarRAB. Just take it easy and listen to your body...that seems to be my best guide.
Jan.
 
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