Is physical therapy needed after ACDF surgery?
Rehabilitation after ACDF can be a slow process. You will probably need to attend Physical Therapy sessions at Philip Physical Therapy Physical Therapy sessions for two to three months, and you should expect full recovery to take up to eight months.
How long after ACDF surgery do you start physical therapy?
ACDF Recovery Time Recovery time can vary widely. Some patients are able to return to work within a few days or a week after surgery. Others start physical therapy about four weeks after surgery, and continue for 2 or 3 months.
Is physical therapy required after cervical fusion?
Physical therapy is frequently necessary following spinal surgery to help strengthen your back or neck muscles, improve your range of motion and flexibility, and help heal the tissues in the areas where your surgery was performed.
How long after ACDF surgery can I bend over?
Patients are instructed to avoid bending and twisting of the neck in the early postoperative period (first 2-4 weeks). Patients can gradually begin to bend and twist their neck after 2-4 weeks as the pain subsides and the neck and back muscles get stronger.
When do you start physical therapy after spinal fusion?
The initial 6-week recuperation period after a spinal fusion focuses on getting back to feeling good. After this initial period, more advanced exercise should be added to strengthen the back structures and increase overall fitness.
What should you not do after ACDF surgery?
Top 4 Things to Know
- Pain in the back of the neck and between the shoulder blades is common after ACDF surgery.
- Do not use nicotine for at least three months.
- Avoid taking anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) for six to 12 weeks or until your surgeon tells you it’s safe to use them.
How do I strengthen my core after spinal fusion?
Core Strengthening Exercises Post Lumbar Spinal Surgery
- First, Posture! You don’t have to walk around balancing a book on your head.
- Bridges. Bridging exercises target your back, abdominal and pelvic muscles, giving you more bang for your buck.
- Bird Dog.
- Planks.
Why does the back of my neck hurt after ACDF?
It is very common to have neck pain and pain between the shoulder blades for the first few weeks following an ACDF. This is incisional and normal post-operative pain, and should slowly improve as the wound and muscles heal. It is normal to have some level of neck discomfort and stiffness after ACDF.