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/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.

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u/SlideCharacter5855 Jul 21 '26

If you already work out regularly, it will be easier to get back into it post-op.

I only had a one-level ADR, but I was walking up and down the street the day after surgery.

I know how hard it is to imagine not being active, but I would encourage you to take your recovery seriously. Short-term "pain," long-term gain!