How long does it take to recover from a lumbar fusion?
You may have trouble sitting or standing in one position for very long and may need pain medicine in the weeks after your surgery. 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.
Can you walk after spinal fusion surgery?
Walking is the best activity you can do for the first 6 weeks after surgery. You should start out slowly and work up to walking 30 minutes at least twice a day.
What is a multilevel spinal 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. The most common levels included in a multilevel spinal fusion are L4-5 and L5-S1.
What is the difference between single level and multilevel fusion?
Fusion Overview. 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.
What are the different levels of lumbar fusion?
Two-level fusion. In certain instances, a two level spinal fusion may be an effective treatment for debilitating low back pain from two degenerated lumbar discs. Three-level fusion. Lumbar fusion of three or more levels of the low back as a primary treatment for low back pain is rarely recommended,…
What happens if you have 3 spinal fusions?
Three level fusions limit movement and flexibility in the patient’s back so much that this in and of itself is likely to cause pain. Adjacent level degeneration. Extensive fusion of the lumbar spine transfers stress to the next level of the spine and puts that level at risk for degeneration.