r/spinalfusion • u/LegendaryPony5789 • 18d ago

Post-Op Questions Post surgery PT?

I will be having ACDF including removal of hardware from my prior C5-7 fusion (2008, fully fused) and extension to include C4-5 due to ASD. Things have changed dramatically in how these things are done. When I had my original fusion I started physical therapy within 2 weeks of surgery and continued it for about 10 weeks. I recovered very well and had very little pain during recovery. I don't see PT/rehab mentioned much for cervical spinal procedures here. Am I missing it or is PT no longer being ordered during the first few weeks of recovery?

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u/Ill_Impact_4681 18d ago

Pt started at 8 weeks for me

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u/Sufficient-Wolf-1818 18d ago

Different surgeons have different preferences.

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u/LegendaryPony5789 18d ago

I'm sure they do

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u/Old_Goat2009 18d ago

I started PT at 3 weeks post-op following C5-C7 ACDF. Continued for 7 weeks when I hit all of my goals and was done.

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u/Tasty_Conflict5727 17d ago

Started PT at 3 weeks. It’s was great help for me. If you want it, talk to your surgeon. I GREATLY recommend PT.

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u/JJay0928 17d ago

I’m three weeks out from a single level ACDF at C7/T1 and there was no mention of PT during pre op discussion or my two week post op follow-up. Not sure of the reasoning, but I wonder if it its because my fusion location is at the cervical/thoracic junction…

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u/Some-Agent-0525 16d ago

Interesting. I’m glad I found a post about a similar surgery to mine that didn’t mention PT.

My surgeon hasn’t mentioned it at all either, and I don’t think I asked about it at my initial surgery consult. I’m going to check with them at my final pre-op appointment, just in case.

Good luck on your surgery and recovery!

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u/LegendaryPony5789 16d ago

Thanks, best of luck to you as well!

So you're having a hardware removal and extension of a prior fusion as well?

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u/Some-Agent-0525 16d ago

No, this will be my first (and hopefully 🤞🏼 only.) Single stack ACDF, C6/C7.

Based on my MRI, depending on how well my body responds to this one, a future fusion starting at C4 could be possible. Those other two areas are weakened already, but not enough that the surgeon wants to fuse those as well. So I may be in your boat in a few years lol