Re: Spinal Fusion Surgery= Recovery Time

[Guest guest]

I'm on disability since 2 years ago i had rods and screws put in that go from

T5   all the way down to S1.  almost my whole back, it was to correct scoliosis

i had since i was a child.  the disks were removed from the lumbar levels and

bone put in to help the fusion.  its not fused yet.  i am 48 yrs old and had a

hysterectomy when i was 37.  i also smoked for 30 yrs. i quit 1 yr ago.  i was

told i had alot of bone mass loss possibly due to the smoking.  so i'm having

some probllems and alot of pain. i hope you will have better success.  here's

hoping will keep you in my thoughts...... chris

From: lvjamaica2004 <lvjamaica2004@...>

Subject: Spinal Fusion Surgery= Recovery Time

spinal problems

Date: Thursday, November 20, 2008, 9:57 PM

I am having the surgery in Jan. I was wanting to know on average, what

is the length of time it took you to recover so you could go to work? I

need this surgery, but my benefits run out the second week in Feb. I

need to go back to work by then. Thanks.

Dawn

[Guest guest]

>this is james, my cervial c3-c4 fusions, it was anywhere from 2wks

to 6wks depending on the type of work you do. i did constructon work,

went back to work in 6weeks with light duty status for a month. office

type work i think it's 2 wks, but this was back in 05. i might have

change now.

> I am having the surgery in Jan. I was wanting to know on average,

what

> is the length of time it took you to recover so you could go to work?

I

> need this surgery, but my benefits run out the second week in Feb. I

> need to go back to work by then. Thanks.

>

> Dawn

>

[Guest guest]

Usually I hear 6 weeks from most people on this board but it all depends on

what you're having done, your age, your health, and a million other things.

My recovery was almost 6 months before I could go back to work. I work a

desk job so if my job had been more labor intensive, I probably would have

been out for 3-6 more months.

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Spinal Fusion Surgery= Recovery Time

I am having the surgery in Jan. I was wanting to know on average, what

is the length of time it took you to recover so you could go to work? I

need this surgery, but my benefits run out the second week in Feb. I

need to go back to work by then. Thanks.

Dawn

------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

Hi - this definitely depends on a lot of things ...The approach for the surgery

(posterior/anterior) severity of the repair, your own bone graft/cadaver bone

and your doctor to mention a few.  I had posterior C4-7 fusion in May and was 6

weeks in the house without being able to drive or ride in a car in a neck brace

24/7 then 6 weeks more out of work, with a neck brace sometime then light duty

(still on it).  I have a friend who had anterior C3-6 fusion with cadaver bone a

year and a half ago and she is still limited but was three months before

starting part time- light duty too.  Another friend had extensive anterior

fusion for all the cervical vertebrate...long story, but he was born without any

C1 to skull connection...And he was back to work in 4 weeks and no light duty,

and no neck brace after the hospital.

 

I know this does not answer your question the best thing to do is ask your

surgeon what his patients generally do in terms of recovery with circumstances

you have - he/she will direct your times for resting/wearing a brace, etc.

 

God bless, good luck, and be pain free!

From: lvjamaica2004 <lvjamaica2004@...>

Subject: Spinal Fusion Surgery= Recovery Time

spinal problems

Date: Thursday, November 20, 2008, 10:57 PM

I am having the surgery in Jan. I was wanting to know on average, what

is the length of time it took you to recover so you could go to work? I

need this surgery, but my benefits run out the second week in Feb. I

need to go back to work by then. Thanks.

Dawn

[Guest guest]

Dawn,

I'm retired so I didn't have to worry about work but I was allowed to go deep

sea fishing at 6 weeks as long as I handed off anything over 50 pounds and I had

no restrictions after three months. I wore the neck brace for six weeks. My

surgery was anterior with fusion, a plate and four screws. I'm six months out

now and other than a bit of restricted motion I'm doing great. I can't turn my

head to the left and look up to the degree I did before.

Jere

male, 66