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Recovering Safely After Surgery
This guide explains what activities are safe after your spine fusion surgery and when you can gradually return to them. Your healthcare team may give you instructions that are specific to you. If those instructions are different from this guide, follow your care team's recommendations.
Why are there activity restrictions?
After a spinal fusion, the bones in your spine need time to heal and become solidly joined together. Activity restrictions help protect your spine during this healing process. Most people can gradually increase their activity over the first several months after surgery.
Your Recovery Timeline
Right After Surgery
If you walk
We recommend you walk around your home approximately once per hour while awake, with stairs as needed.
If you use a wheelchair
We recommend that you be in your wheelchair frequently throughout the day, gradually increasing the time, to get back to pre-surgery routines.
When can I return to activities?
| Time after surgery | Activities you can do |
|---|---|
| Immediately |
|
| 6 weeks |
|
| 3 months |
|
| 4 months |
|
| 6 months |
|
| 1 year | Depending on your specific surgery, level of play, and provider:
|
What is a hip flexion restriction?
A hip flexion restriction means not bending your hips past 90º (about the shape of an "L" when sitting in a chair). Whether this restriction applies to you depends on your diagnosis and the type of surgery you had. If you are not sure whether you have a hip flexion restriction, ask your health care team.
If you have a hip flexion restriction, you should avoid:
- Sitting in very low or soft chairs
- Bending deeply at your waist
- Pulling your knees tightly toward your chest
- Curling forward while sitting
If you're not sure whether a position is safe, ask your healthcare team.
Figure 1: Sit with your hips at 90° (about the shape of an “L”).
Figure 2: Do not bend your hips past 90° when sitting.
Do I have a hip flexion restriction?
Figure 3: Hip flexion restrictions: Who needs them after spine fusion surgery?
Common Questions
Yes. You can sleep in any position that is comfortable for you, including on your back, side, or stomach.
Most patients are ready to return to school part-time (a few hours each day) about 2 weeks after surgery and return full-time by about 3 weeks. In general, when you’re able to manage your pain with Tylenol, you’re probably ready to return to school.
Depending on the number of books you carry, how much they weigh, and your lifting restriction, you may need to arrange for help carrying books.
Your care team can provide a school note that includes your specific activity restrictions, elevator access request, and additional passing time between classes.
Driving is typically allowed beginning 6 weeks after surgery, unless your surgeon gives you different instructions. You should also not drive while taking medications that make you sleepy (narcotics and muscle relaxers).
You can travel by car or plane after surgery, but long trips may be uncomfortable. To make travel more comfortable:
- Change positions often
- Plan frequent stops to stretch and reposition
- Use pillows or blankets for support
- Sit in the passenger seat (if you are of legal age and size) so you can recline and adjust the seat
- Choose an aisle seat when flying so you can stretch and reposition often
When should I call my health care team?
Contact your healthcare team if:
- You are not sure whether an activity is safe.
- You are not sure if you have a hip flexion restriction.
- You have questions about returning to sports, school, driving, or therapy.
This information is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace the advice of your health care providers. If you have any questions, talk with your doctor or others on your health care team.
If you are a Gillette patient with urgent questions or concerns, please contact the Nurse Help Line at 651-229-3890.
The information on this page is reviewed by Gillette Children's medical editors for general educational purposes.
