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@jksawyers
Hi Jack,
I am glad that you are seeing a Mayo surgeon. My doc was Jeremy Fogelson, a neurosurgeon at Mayo Rochester.
Everyone's back is different and healing time will vary. I had a T2 to L2 spinal fusion due to Scoliosis at the age of 19. At the time of my May 2025 surgeries, my back had many problems-- DDD, Stenosis, pinched nerves, lateral listhesis, spondylolosthesis, herniated disc, Bertolotti's, Tarlov Cysts, etc. The day before my spinal surgery, I had bi-lateral Sacroilliac Joint Fusions due to arthritis in the joints.
As far as the healing time, I imagine that as time goes by, I will be able to do more and more. I will learn more when I have my 6 month follow-up next month.
At this time, I am walking 2 miles a day, enjoy the beach and social outings. Life is really good compared to pre-surgery.
I have the BLT restrictions--no bending, lifting, or twisting. As far as bending, PT will teach you how to bend at your hips. Standing and walking are no problem, but I am not walking really fast-- my right calf numbness and occasional tingling slows me down. (The right leg issue was there before my surgery and will hopefully go away with time as my nerves are no longer pinched,)
I do have to watch how long I sit and use a goose down pillow behind my back. As days go by, I am sitting longer and longer durations--up to 45 minutes depending on the chair and situation.
Jack, after your surgery and hospital stay, I highly recommend Mayo's Inpatient Rehab Center, in the Generose Building. I believe their care and therapy really propelled my recovery. ( 3 hours of daily therapy split between physical therapy and occupational therapy, You will also have a team guiding your recovery there.
I suggest you let your surgeon know that you want the inpatient rehab. He may state that you need to request it in the hospital and that it will be determined there based upon your needs.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best Wishes!
Nadine
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@jksawyers Jeremy Fogelson was my spine surgeon too. A fusion usually starts to take at about 3 months, but that may be different for others. It has a lot of bone growth and bone hardening to do, and that does go on for a year or 2, but you probably won't be aware if that. It shows up on x- ray. FYI, I was horseback riding 7 months after my fusion which was one level at C5/C6. With a bigger surgery, that may be different, but I was cleared for riding and it really helped me heal and build strength after surgery. Of course that clearance came with the mention that riding horses carries a risk, but that my fusion was strong enough to be able to sit on a horse. I was just trail riding at a walk.