Post-op lifting, years on

[Robbie]

Hello!

I was just wondering, for those of you who had surgery several years ago, do you have any restrictions on what you can lift? I know that we're told not to lift anything in the time after the surgery, but I wasn't sure about what we can do years on from it. I'd appreciate it if anybody could give me some insight.

Thanks!
Robbie.

[Clare]

heya yeah u can defo lift things after surgery just b careful how u lift dem and leave it a wile after surgery just 2 b on the safe side and u shud have no real pproblems but say it to ur surgen just to clarify the situation....

[rainbow2010]

Just remember with a spinal fusion, your back doesn't absorb shock and stress the same. The discs above and below your fusion will wear out faster than others in your spine. Keeping the muscles strong is the best thing to do if you want to do lifting. I lifted and carried my kids around until they were about 1 year old (they both were over 20 pounds at that point). After that, my husband lifted them when they wanted to be carried or put in a shopping cart.

[Karen Ocker]

I was told 10 lbs were the limit in my case but I must confess I do not know what 10 pounds feel like. I tighten my abdominal muscles whenever I carry something but I will not pick up a child larger than a small baby. I suspect I went over the limit but with no adverse effects.

[txmarinemom]

I know all cases are different, but I've GOT to suspect post surgical lifting has *quite a bit* to do with ~pre~ surgical strength and levels fused.

I mean, seriously ... there HAS to be variations between a previously non-active (i.e., less flexible) 60 year old person, fused T2-L5 - or below - and a VERY flexible 39 year old fused T5-L1.

Am I mistaken?

[Susie*Bee]

Robbie--I'm not years down the road yet--just a little over 6 months post-op. I'm sure txmarinemom has a very valid point about length of fusion and pre-op condition. Even so (and I would probably fall close to the less active, not in great shape category), I was just released to lift up to 20 lbs. Good luck finding out more-- and you can always check with your doctor to be sure.

P.S. Karen-- for 10 lbs., just imagine lifting a 10 lb. bag of potatoes-- or two 5 lb. bags of sugar.