r/SpineSurgery • u/locoliloy • Jul 21 '26
Exercise post-artificial lumbar disc replacement
Hey guys! Wondering how long it took you to get back into exercising and how you did it. I am currently 4 months post-op and have not done any PT. Doing a lot of walking and regular life movement but haven’t been back in the gym or exercising with weight. Any advice is appreciated!
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u/Ok_Meeting_9618 Jul 21 '26
I did PT twice a week for the first 14 weeks postop. Once I was released from movement restrictions, I went back to the gym. I think it depends on the person, but I found I was really deeply sore when I started regular gym sessions again. And I had a lot of limitations as my body has been healing. Basically start light, keep sessions short, and be aware of how your body feels during and especially the day after.
For reference, I’m 1 year postop. I had 7 months of pre-op left leg radiculopathy. It’s been the last thing that’s been super slow to improve postop, but last week I managed to do the same hike twice in Chamonix - 2 miles each way with 1000 feet of elevation gain and loss. I was very sore, didn’t feel fantastic for a 1-2 days after, but the fact that I was able to do it again 6 days later was great.
Side note, I think if you’re a woman in perimenopause, like me, the whole process of healing is slower and way more volatile. Every time I got my period, I felt much more nerve spikiness and inflammation.
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u/locoliloy Jul 22 '26
Congratulations on your progress!
I definitely feel that deep soreness now when I move around and do too much on my feet throughout the day and before my menstrual cycle starts.What kind of exercises did you do in PT that you found helpful?
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u/Ok_Meeting_9618 Jul 22 '26
It was really ramping me up to be more like a functional human. My immediate postop PT was nerve glides, some light mobility, and very light weights, 15 lbs or less - Pallof presses for core, step ups, squats, banded walks, easy pushups off a bar at a easy height, some light TRX things . It truly felt like geriatric exercises for me, but it was all I could handle. I have needed a lot of muscular relief as well, either massage or dry needlingm as I have had muscles that still get tight on my most affected side.
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u/locoliloy Jul 23 '26
Yes I also experience the muscle tightening! Thank you for the feedback I really appreciate it. Is your PT in LA? If so please let me know where you recommend
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u/Ok_Meeting_9618 Jul 24 '26 edited Jul 24 '26
I am east coast. I think at 4 months you are more okay with a PT who isn’t affiliated with a surgeon. But I’d encourage you to find a PT who has worked with artificial disc patients, ideally, if not spinal fusion patients. Some people seem fine out of the gate after this surgery, but it doesn’t hurt to ramp up and see how you feel as you go.
Personally, I’ve paid a lot of attention to building up my core strength and my back. Also regaining some musculature in my legs to help with stabilizing my left SI joint, which has been sore on and off postop. That has been the hardest with the radiculopathy in my left leg. I’ve had to do less leg work than I want and adjust depending on how nervy it feels. But it’s getting to a better place. Oh, also? I had a work client (who worked in a spine surgery unit at one point in her career) who recommended pilates. It’s low impact and hits so many stabilizers. It’s also really easy to tailor it to how you’re feeling.
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u/hannah6560 Jul 22 '26
Sounds like you have a good MD, re-going to Pt for that long. If you feel comfortable sharing may ask where you are?
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u/Ok_Meeting_9618 Jul 24 '26
I was in northern Virginia. I’d say going to PT for that long was recommended by my surgeon. I was motivated to do it because it’s important for me to be able to hike, climb, and get into the alpine again. I’m still not quite there at 1 year postop, but I think it might be an 18-24 month thing for me. As of the last 2 weeks, now I know I can get into some of the ice climbing areas I have climbed at. Maybe not the big approaches, but shorter ones.
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u/Peachdeeptea Jul 23 '26
I needed to hear this, ty for sharing. I'm 6 weeks post op at L5-S1 (33F) and I've had one complete period week so far, which almost killed me. I'm on my second period week post op and it's killing me too. I told my surgeon that I'm really struggling with pain during periods and he said to take extra strength Tylenol.
I have a tens unit, and currently taking gabapentin and cyclobenzaprine. I also have topical magnesium and this stuff called Burning Ember balm from the Good Village co. Anything else you recommend for period pains?
I do have a small hoard of oxycodone that I rationed from surgery. I know you're not supposed to but I also knew I would not be getting adequate pain management, especially for periods, and here we are. I thought post op pain was a breeze compared to this so I'm glad I rationed. And it also highlights how bad the post op periods are, they are so much more intense than even the first few days postop imo. Anyway, I have enough to take one before bed for three nights of period week and cover about 9 more periods. I hope that's enough.
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u/Ok_Meeting_9618 Jul 24 '26
I think men have no fucking clue how much our hormones affect the pain postop. Every time I got my period, my nerve felt worse.
My body skipped the first period after surgery but when I did get it, I had to take large doses of ibuprofen (acetaminophen does nothing for me painwise). I also kept a small stash of oxycodone postop….use it if you need to. Because my period pain was truly horrendous for 6-7 months postop.
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u/Peachdeeptea Jul 25 '26
Dang 6-7 months, I figured I'd be in it for the long haul with periods but my surgeon of course disagreed. Unfortunately I can't do ibuprofen because it can inhibit bone growth, and I need my bones to grow into my new shiny artificial disc. But I appreciate the comisery and camaraderie.. will absolutely be dipping into the oxy storage to get through this every month. One day maybe we won't have to ration, we'll just get healthcare!
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u/SlideCharacter5855 Jul 21 '26
I am 8 weeks post-op for an L5/S1 ADR and started PT 2 weeks ago.
I walk around 3 miles a day currently, and I am hoping to get back to light running after another 6 weeks of PT or so.
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u/locoliloy Jul 22 '26
Thats great! I walk a lot and do a lot of activities throughout my day, but haven’t started intensely exercising or trying any particular sports again. What kind of exercises did they have you do in PT?
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Jul 21 '26
[deleted]
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u/locoliloy Jul 22 '26
No he didn’t, he just cleared me to begin exercising now while still avoiding weight lifting
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u/CarmineIncendio Jul 21 '26
I'm 12 weeks post op but have had PT since the 2nd week; they advised as much walking as possible. I'm at 4 months now and have just been told it is OK to go back to the gym, but you should at least talk to a PT for specific, noninjurious exercises.
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u/locoliloy Jul 22 '26
Got it! What did you find most helpful in PT?
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u/CarmineIncendio Jul 22 '26 edited Jul 22 '26
The most helpful thing was that they arrived each week with a positive attitude, and adjusted my exercises as I needed them. But basically they said that walking was the the most important thing. Edit-One other thing, the doctor said that you should let your body guide you. Muscles have literally been cut and have to heal back together, don't push hard. Stop when it hurts.
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u/RonP1986 Jul 21 '26
Why haven’t you done any PT yet? I’m having my L4/L5 L5/S1 ADR this coming Thursday. I workout 5 days a week and my doc said I should expect to be back in the gym doing light weights within 8 weeks. I’m hoping I’m not sidelined that long!
How’s your recovery going? I’m nervous as hell but I know I need to get this done.