Patient Guide for Lumbar Fusion Surgery

Lumbar fusion surgery is used to stabilise the lower spine and relieve symptoms caused by instability or nerve compression. This guide explains how to prepare for surgery, what to expect in hospital, and the key steps during recovery.

What to Know Before and After Lumbar Fusion Surgery

1.  Preparing for Surgery

• Medical Preparation:
  • Report any pre-existing health problems, allergies or recent infections.
  • Discuss all previous and ongoing medications with surgeon. Blood thinners will need to be stopped prior to surgery as instructed.
  • Complete all pre-surgery tests (e.g. Blood tests, ECG, X-rays, CT scans or MRI) as directed.
• Physical Preparation:
  • Maintain a healthy diet. Stop smoking and avoid alcohol.
  • Perform pre-surgery exercises (if recommended) to maintain overall health and aid in recovery.
• Home Preparation:
  • Arrange for someone to drive you home and assist for 1–2 days post-surgery.
  • Set up a recovery area with essentials (e.g., comfortable chair and bed).
  • Remove obstacles to prevent tripping and ensure easy access to essentials.
• Logistics:
  • Pack a small bag with comfortable cloths, toiletries, IC and insurance details.
  • Follow fasting instructions (typically no food or drinks after midnight before surgery).

2.  About the Surgery and Potential Complications

• Procedure Overview:
  • Lumbar Fusion surgery takes about 3-4 hours and is performed under general anaesthesia
  • Small incisions are typically utilised to remove bony growths and disc material.
  • The disc material is replaced with an implant, and screws are inserted to promote union of the spine bones
  • The goal of surgery is to relieve instability and the compression of the nerves hence reducing pain.
• Potential Complications (rare but possible):
  • Infection: occurs in <1% of cases; treated with antibiotics or, rarely, additional surgery.
  • Bleeding and Blood clots: low risk. These may form that can exert pressure on the nerves and require evacuation.
  • Nerve Damage: Rare, but may cause numbness or weakness. Nerves are monitored throughout operation to avoid this complication
  • CSF Leak: low risk; the protective covering over the nerves will need to be repaired; to avoid stress on repair, patient may be required to lie flat after surgery.
  • Implant Failure: Rare; Poor bone quality may not be able to maintain fixation, requiring additional surgery
  • Your surgical team will take steps to minimize these risks.

3.  What to Expect in the Hospital

• Length of Stay: Usually 5-7 nights stay depending on recovery
• Post-Surgery:
  • You will wake in a recovery room, monitored for vital signs.
  • Pain will be managed with medications (e.g., oral painkillers or injections).
  • A lumbar corset will be prescribed for you when physiotherapy is initiated.
• Daily Routine:
  • Nurses will check your incision and optimize comfort.
  • A physical therapist may show you gentle exercises before discharge.
• Discharge Planning:
  • You will receive instructions on corset use, wound care, medications, and physical therapy.
  • Discharge occurs once you are alert, stable, and able to move safely.

4.  What to Expect After Discharge

• Recovery Timeline:
  • First 1–2 Weeks: Focus on rest and pain management; Can perform routine daily tasks.
  • Weeks 3–8: Begin simple physical therapy.
  • 2–6 Months: Progress to active exercises to regain strength.
  • 6–12 Months: Full recovery, including return to sports or heavy lifting, if cleared by your surgeon.
• At Home:
  • Pain and Swelling: Normal for 1–2 weeks; use prescribed pain medications and cooling packs.
  • Mobility: Wear the lumbar corset as directed (often 4–6 weeks) when upright.
  • Physical Therapy: Start within 1–2 weeks; attend sessions (2–3 times per week) and do home exercises to prevent stiffness and build strength.
  • Wound Care: Keep incisions clean and dry; monitor for signs of infection (redness, swelling, fever).
• Lifestyle Adjustments:
  • Avoid straining, heavy lifting and high impact sports until cleared (usually 3–6 months).
  • Follow a balanced diet to support healing.
• Follow-Up:
  • Attend follow-up appointments (typically 2-3 days post-discharge) to monitor progress and for wound management.
  • Contact your doctor immediately if you experience fever, severe pain, excessive swelling, or numbness.

Final Tips:

• Adhere to your physical therapy plan for optimal recovery.
• Be patient, over-exertion after surgery may affect recovery.
• Contact your healthcare team with any concerns.

Wishing you a successful surgery and smooth recovery!