Any exercise tips for people with spinal fusion and those who are short, but want to maintain their weight?

Asked by: Jaclyn Hernandez

What exercises can I do with a spinal fusion?

Low-Impact Aerobic Exercise after Spinal Fusion: Examples

• Brisk walking.
• Swimming.
• Exercising using equipment available in most gyms or for purchase for the home, such as stationary bikes, elliptical trainers, and stair climbers.

How do I get back in shape after spinal fusion?

The core muscles wrap around the lower spine and preserve the integrity of the fusion. Add core exercises 2-3 times per week in an exercise program. These core exercises should maintain a straight or neutral spine, especially within the first year of surgery. Planks and side planks are excellent core exercises.

Do spinal fusions make you shorter?

You will not grow any taller in the fused areas, however, that growth would have been crooked growth. The surgery often adds to the patient’s over-all height. Growth will continue normally in the unfused portions of the spine as well as in the legs, arms, and other parts of the body.

What exercises can you not do after spinal fusion?

Exercises to Avoid After a Spinal Fusion:

Activity after a spinal fusion shouldn’t include any heavy lifting, deadlifting, or anything else that might twist or bend your back too far. Most importantly, pay attention to what your body is telling you.

Can I do squats after spinal fusion?

For example, a commonly used strengthening exercise after lumbar fusion surgery is the 50-degree squat, given its amazing ability to simultaneously enhance strength (thighs, hips, low back) and coordination (throughout the entire trunk) while burning more calories than any abdominal exercise (Medicine & Science in …

Can you lift weights with a spinal fusion?

Once the surgeon confirms on x-ray imaging that the fusion has completely solidified into one bone, a full return to an active lifestyle—including bending, lifting, and twisting—is permitted.

How many years does a spinal fusion last?

Surgical screws, rods or metal plates are used to hold the vertebrae together. In more complex cases, two or more interlocking vertebrae may be involved in the spinal fusion procedure. The results of a fusion are permanent.

Can you use a stationary bike after spinal fusion?

In general, start out slowly and increase activity as tolerated. You may also ride a straight back stationary bicycle at a slow pace. You may also use an elliptical machine as long as you do not use your arms to pull. You may continue to experience back stiffness for several months after surgery.

How do you strengthen your lower back after fusion surgery?

Regular exercise to restore the strength of your back and a gradual return to everyday activities are important for your full recovery after low back surgery. Your orthopaedic surgeon and physical therapist may recommend that you exercise for 10 to 30 minutes, 1 to 3 times a day during your early recovery.

Can you do yoga with a spinal fusion?

If you’ve had fusion surgery where the vertebrae were fused in only one place, you may be able to begin gentle yoga poses within two to three months. For a multi-level fusion surgery, you may need to wait four to six months after the procedure before you can safely begin practicing yoga.

Can you arch your back after spinal fusion?

Avoid arching your back. Avoid a lot of back motion or stress on your spine. If you have pets you may need assistance to care for them after surgery.

Are there permanent restrictions after a spinal fusion?

You may find that after you spinal fusion, you run into some restrictions like being unable to lift, bend or twist. Many of these permanent restrictions are not actually permanent. After a 3 to 6 month healing process, you may find that your restrictions lessen and are able to get back to work.

Can you ruin a spinal fusion?

Can one bend ruin a spinal fusion? After undergoing spinal fusion, doctors advised that patients should avoid excessive bending, twisting, and straining to protect the fusion while it heals. You can ruin your spinal fusion if you bend excessively.

Is spinal fusion a disability?

There is no specific disability listing for back surgery or spinal fusion, but if the surgery didn’t correct your impairments, you might meet the requirements of a listing based on the impairments that led you to need back surgery or spinal fusion.

What are the long term effects of spinal fusion?

The spinal muscles provide critical stability and support for the spine. Unfortunately, lumbar fusion significantly compromises the health and integrity of these muscles. This is in turn can lead to spine instability and additional injuries including degeneration and arthritis.