How long does a lumbar fusion surgery take?

Surgery Length Spinal fusion surgery usually takes four to six hours, but the time varies according to the individual patient. The surgeons will take as long as they need to do the job well.

Is lumbar spinal fusion painful?

After spinal fusion A hospital stay of two to three days is usually required following spinal fusion. Depending on the location and extent of your surgery, you may experience some pain and discomfort but the pain can usually be controlled well with medications.

How serious is a spinal fusion surgery?

Spinal fusion surgery is a very serious procedure that is typically performed by an orthopedic surgeon or a neurosurgeon. Because of how extensive it is, the doctors usually have a full surgical team with them. Before any surgery, it’s important to speak with your doctor about their experience.

How long do you have to wear a brace after spinal fusion?

Depending on the surgery and your general condition, you may only have to wear your back brace for two weeks or until your first post-op visit. Lumbar fusion surgery patients will have to wear their brace for a longer period of time, up to three months, especially as they return to work and to normal activities.

What is life like after spinal fusion?

Recovery time for spinal fusion surgery varies significantly from patient to patient, but the average spans between three and six months before the patient is back to their daily routine; working, traveling, and even exercising with more freedom and less pain than they could before the surgery.

How long do you wear a brace after spinal fusion?

Why is Spinal fusion recovery so difficult?

As mentioned above, the changes that occur in your back after spinal fusion make the overall recovery process more challenging than other types of surgery. For one, pedicle screws and spacers used during a fusion are often a source of pain during the recovery process. Pedicle screws are placed through the pedicle into the vertebral body.

What is a lumbar spinal fusion?

Lumbar Spinal Fusion is the placement of screws, rods and cages to steady the spine. This is done because the spine is unstable because of an injury, or because the spine needs to be fixed in place because of pain. This surgery often includes the removal of part of or all of the bone

Why do I have leg pain after spinal fusion surgery?

That means the body is “locked” into that position, making it unnatural for sitting and slouching. You may experience dramatic improvement in you leg pain symptoms after surgery, but there is a good chance you may suffer from residual back pain, either due to the new motion patterns of your spine, or even due to the fusion hardware itself.

What are the options for Fusion for lower back surgery?

Fusion options for lower back. Fusion. To fuse the vertebrae together permanently, the surgeon places the bone graft material between the vertebrae. Metal plates, screws or rods may be used to help hold the vertebrae together while the bone graft heals.