Youll stay in the hospital for about 2 to 4 days following your spinal fusion surgery. This surgery often includes the removal of part of or all of the bone that covers the back of the spinal column called the lamina. Decompression therapy is considered an effective treatment for pain caused by compressed nerves that's severe or chronic and disrupts your daily life. Subscribing lawyers and advocates are not employees, owners, operators or agents of this website. Oct. 4, 2022. . This process also permanently eliminates all motion at the affected segment. Spinal fusion is a common procedure used to treat problems with the tiny bones that make up the spinal cord. Lumbar spine and back surgeries cost anywhere from $25,000 to more than $150,000.00. What Musculoskeletal Disorders Qualify For Social Security Disability? The RFC is a detailed form that your treating physician can complete to explain your condition, your treatments, your side effects and symptoms, and even your limitations and restrictions. Back support belts are used to reduce the risk of back injury and relieve pain in the short term. Severe migraines as a young teen introduced Dr. Nalda to chiropractic care. Minnesota Spine Clinic. Resume normal flat bed position ASAP or very slight elevation only. They will clear you for most activities as long as everything is healing correctly. Any nerve damage to your spine will take up to 2 years to completely heal. Generally, its still best to avoid things such as extreme sports, but you can discuss limitations with your doctor once you reach this milestone. This is because spinal fusion is a surgical procedure used to correct spinal problems and it comes with its own set of symptoms depending on the success of the surgery. Often, there are delays due to insufficient documentation or gaps in the information provided. No scientific evidence on restrictions for patients following an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is available. This is Attorney Advertising on Behalf of Our Attorney Subscribers Spinal fusion is a surgical procedure that involves connecting two or more of the vertebrae in your spine to create a solid piece. Even my doctor . But to enjoy these benefits, ensure that you always maintain the restrictions and lead a healthy lifestyle. Singleton M, et al. One of the biggest concerns I have with spinal fusion surgery is the gap in the research/data on the long-term effects of living with a fused spine, and by long-term, I mean 20, 30, and 40+ years down the road. At Kesh Law, we know how we deal with permanent restrictions after spinal fusion surgery cases. If your claim is denied, as many are first time round, you may not be asked to pay any legal fees. It can be difficult to determine this until significant healing has occurred. Follow up was from six months to two years. As an example, if your back pain and burning are so severe that you have to reposition every hour, your physician should note that on your RFC. Although you might start healing soon, you need to be very careful about your life choices with permanent restrictions. However, there are a few simple exercises you can take on at home that are part of nearly all spinal fusion recovery programs. . Common problems after spinal fusion include failure of the bone healing and pseudarthrosis. By immobilizing sections of the spine, nerves, ligaments, and tissues that may have been causing or exacerbating your back pain will no longer . In addition, scoliosis is a 3-dimensional condition, and this is due to its rotational component. Many of these permanent restrictions are not actually permanent. If you have a spinal fusion disability rating from the VA, it does not guarantee you will qualify for SSDI. While there is no guarantee that patients will experience any of the aforementioned temporary, or permanent, restrictions after spinal fusion surgery, the risk is there so should be considered carefully. Again, each patient will respond in their own way to spinal fusion, just as no two patients will experience life with scoliosis in the exact same way; the very nature of scoliosis necessitates the customization of effective treatment plans. Pseudarthrosis occurs when a spinal fusion surgery fails. . Spinal fusion can be thought of like a welding process as it fuses together two or more of these small bones or vertebrae. Your doctor will have specific guidelines for you. I've heard from many people that their surgeons gave a huge variety of restrictions, so there is no blanket rule. 2. to protect your device. It takes an average of five months for a disability claim to be processed. Clinical Overview: Chronic low back pain in adults. Scoliosis is a complex condition with different treatment options, so lets start our discussion of spinal fusion surgery restrictions by first exploring some key condition characteristics. However, there might be permanent restrictions in certain circumstances. The fusing of the vertebrae keeps them from moving out of place, which is a well-known cause of back pain and discomfort. A spinal fusion can cause permanent restrictions that take away someone's ability to move the segment. We can provide you with the best personal injury lawyer to help you achieve a fair settlement as quickly as possible. Three to six months after surgery: You can advance your level of activity but avoid lifting, twisting and bending in combination. Physical therapy can help you start rebuilding your strength. The lawyer can provide you with a clear understanding of your rights and assist you in returning to work. Discs between individual vertebrae in the spine can be damaged from trauma. To start the Social Security disability application, you can go online at www.SSA.gov or call 1-800-772-1213. You may recover faster and it is often successful with results similar to more invasive back. 1950 Curve Crest Blvd W, Suite 100 Stillwater, MN 55082. All motion is permanently halted at the affected segment as a result of this process. This content does not have an Arabic version. Make sure to eat foods that are rich in calcium and essential vitamins and minerals. Think your old mattress may be causing some back pain? All rights reserved. However, spinal fusion can greatly improve the quality of life for people who have it. Back surgeries have risks, including infection, damage to the spinal nerve, instability of the spine, and degeneration. This surgery is used to treat conditions such as spinal stenosis, scoliosis, and spondylolisthesis. Although more than 50% of patients have a successful spine surgery, repeat surgeries aren't quite as effective. The Road To Recovery after Spine Surgery 6 A fusion stabilizes the vertebrae of the spine creating less chance for slippage of the discs. Neither this site, nor any lawyer or advocate associated with it, is affiliated in any way with, or endorsed by, the Social Security Administration. But as with any surgery, spinal fusion carries some risks. A narrowing spinal canal that causes weakness, difficulty walking or pain. Youll build light daily tasks, such as driving and simple daily chores. A spinal fusion is a surgery to fuse two or more bones in the spine together. When it comes to the permanent restrictions of cervical fusion, every patient's body responds to surgery differently, but generally, it's a loss of flexibility in the neck area, strained neck muscles, and related pain and stiffness in the area, which can also cause tension headaches. Bone from the iliac crest (hip), local bone from the operative site, allograft bone and other bone may be used as a bone graft. If you havent reached 24 years old, but you have accumulated 6 work credits in a 3-year period that came to an end when your spinal fusion disability started, you may be eligible for SSDI benefits. The following movements should be specifically avoided during this period: Twisting, no matter what the angle. Free Consultations - No Recovery, No Fee - Call Us Now (818) 639-3955. So, patients do experience permanent restrictions on their mobility, such as an inability to twist, bend, and lift heavy objects. Once you recover, you should be in much less pain than before spinal fusion. You can enlist the help of an attorney or disability advocate. Many of these permanent restrictions are not actually permanent. What they tell you might be slightly different than what is presented in this general guide. Apart from permanent restrictions after spinal fusion surgery, it is important to know what to expect during the first three months subsequent to surgery. Following the success of spinal fusion surgery, the specialists want to obtain a single, solid bone. You might need to stay longer if youre at risk of an infection or other complications. Depending on your specific case, you will be able to collect temporary disability benefits while out of work. You need to hire the best Los Angeles brain injury attorney to win a proper compensation claim and get appropriate medical expenses to support your condition. Specific conditions apply to these benefits. The 101 freeway is a scenic favorite of drivers from around the world. The goal at this stage of your recovery is to allow your spine to heal, your vertebrae to fuse, and your back muscles to grow stronger. More than half of spinal fusion patients will suffer from long-term complications at some point in their life. Restrictions after the spinal fusion procedure can make it difficult to work. When the bones fuse as intended, it changes the natural mobility of your spine, affecting the area around the surgical site and in various body parts as well. This content does not have an English version. If a persons spine has been harmed and fusion surgery has been performed, pain and inflammation must be taken into consideration. The older you are, the more work credits you will require. Spine: Basic concepts. Remember, hiring workers compensation attorneys can help you get a proper claim from your insurance company. In order to be eligible to receive disability benefits for spinal fusion, or if you are experiencing permanent restrictions after ACDF surgery, your back condition needs to meet one of the disability listings in the Social Security Administration (SSA) medical guide. A user who requests a free evaluation will be provided with the name of a subscriber lawyer or advocate who will contact the user to do the evaluation. By submitting a request for a free evaluation, I acknowledge that I understand and agree to the disclaimer and privacy policy. All the information in this article is meant to be a general guideline for spinal fusion recovery. While everyone suffers some permanent restrictions after spinal fusion, you can minimize that if you take some specific steps while caring for yourself at home. The good news is that this pain and inflammation is a natural component of the healing process. With the spinal cord stimulator, there are risks and a high possibility of failure. Because of that, it is common that those who get spinal fusion often times have difficulty being able to work full time, especially if they work a job that requires a lot of heavy lifting. VA disability benefits and SSDI are two different benefits, but you may be able to qualify for both. The spinal fusion procedure permanently fuses the targeted vertebrae of the spine. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Is applicant currently receiving Social Security benefits? The spines natural curves make it stronger, more flexible, and better able to absorb and distribute mechanical stress, so a spine thats held in place artificially isnt restoring its natural curves, making the spine less functional, strong, and more vulnerable to injury; this can also lead to certain activity restrictions. What I want patients to understand is that there is more than one treatment option available, and while traditional scoliosis treatment funnels patients towards spinal fusion and doesnt have a strategy for treating scoliosis while mild, modern conservative treatment values proactive treatment applied as close to the time of diagnosis as possible. In addition, the psychological effect of living with a spine thats more vulnerable to an injury can be significant, making some people fearful of trying new things or taking part in once-loved activities and sports; this can impact their quality of life. Does applicant have an attorney helping with this case? Metal plates, screws or rods might hold the bones together. Patients can forget that the vertebrae remain somewhat delicate for months after a successful spinal fusion procedure. If your condition from spinal fusion meets a listing, or if your impairments werent corrected by the surgery, you may be able to meet the Blue Book listing. Some patients with this ailment have no symptoms, while others have back, neck, arm, or leg discomfort. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. You may be asked to stop taking some medicines for a time before the surgery. Always follow your doctors advice to remember these limitations. You can also apply in person at your nearest Social Security office. Due to the removal of a joint, you have a few permanent restrictions after spinal fusion at any level. If you are unlikely to be able to work for at least the next 12 months due to the effects of the spinal fusion surgery you may qualify for SSDI benefits. Nerve injury can include exiting nerves as well as the spinal cord itself. The most common type of pedicle screw used in spinal surgeries is known to loosen or break over time. Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit organization. The spine is responsible for some of the most serious industrial injuries. When deciding whether or not to opt for surgery, patients have to weigh the risks carefully, as well as the benefits of alternative scoliosis treatment options. Central cord syndrome is a spinal cord injury that commonly happens after a fall or car accident. For instance, some people who have had a spinal fusion in multiple places might be advised to avoid contact sports. Patients are up and walking the afternoon of their surgery. laminectomy, which is the removal of part of the bone that lies over the spinal canal. Your attorney should know exactly what you will need to provide in order to win either an SSDI or SSI claim. After all, the hardware used has to have natural longevity, so it is bound to fail at some point. It treats disorders such as herniated discs. Symptoms Of Loose Screws After Spinal Fusion. 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