Spine Dragon site logo: Michael J H McCarthy, Consultant Spinal Surgeon

Patient Information: Post Operative Recovery Times

Anticipated Time Frames for Surgical Procedures

The following is a guide to the expected durations of the different stages of routine surgical procedures. It is important to note that this is a guide only and actual times will vary between patients.

The table is also available in the PDF format.

Procedure*AnaestheticOperativeRecoveryLength of Hospital StayUrinary Catheter
Cervical Surgery
ACDF IVDR 1-2 Levels< 30 mins1-2 hours30-45 mins1 dayNo
ACDF IVDR ≥ 3 Levels< 30 mins2-3 hours30-45 mins2 daysNo
Anterior Cervical Corpectomy 30-45 mins2 hours60 mins2-3 daysNo
Posterior Cervical Decompression +/- Fusion / Laminoplasty30-45 mins2-3 hours60 mins3 daysNo
Lumbar Surgery
Microdiscectomy / microdecompression< 30 mins1-2 hours30 mins1 dayNo
Decompression 1-2 Levels< 30 mins1-2 hours30-45 mins1-2 daysNo
Decompression ≥ 3 Levels< 30 mins2-3 hours45-60 mins2-3 daysNot Routinely
Decompression and Instrumented Fusion 1-2 Levels< 30 mins2-3 hours45-60 mins3-4 daysNot Routinely
Decompression and Instrumented Fusion ≥ 3 Levels< 30 mins3 hours60-90 mins4-5 daysLikely
PLIF / TLIF 1-2 Levels30-45 mins3-4 hours60-90 mins3-5 daysLikely
XLIF 1-2 Levels30-45 mins1-2hours60-90 mins1-2 daysPossible
XLIF 1-2 Levels plus Posterior Surgery30-45 mins3-4 hours60-90 mins3-4 daysPossible
ALIF 1-2 Levels30-45 mins2-3 hours60-90 mins3-4 daysYes
ALIF 1-2 Levels plus Posterior Surgery30-45 mins4 hours60-90 mins3-5 daysYes
Deformity Surgery / Other
Paediatric Posterior Scoliosis Correction45-60 mins3-4+ hours60-90 mins5 daysYes
Adult Posterior Spinal Deformity Correction with osteotomy / cages45-60 mins5+ hours60-90 mins1+ weekYes
Posterior Thoracolumbar Fracture / Tumour / Infection Fixation45-60 mins2-3+ hours60-90 mins1+ weekYes (Possible for Fracture)
Anterior Thoracolumbar Fracture / Tumour / Infection Fixation45-60 mins3+ hours60-90 mins1+ weekYes

Approximate Recovery Times in Weeks for Elective Spinal Operations

The following is a guide for recovery times following spinal surgery. It is important to note that recovery times will vary between patients and that this is only a guide.

The table is also available in the PDF format.

Lumbar Microdiscectomy / DecompressionMultilevel Lumbar DecompressionLumbar Decompression and FusionThoracolumbar Fusions: PLF / TLIF / XLIF / ALIF and #s*
Wound Healing2 to 42 to 42 to 42 to 4
Office / Desk Job4 to 6+6+6+6+
Manual Job6+6 to 1212+12+
DrivingApproximately 4 to 6 weeks when you are comfortable getting into and out of a car, can turn your body to look out of the back window and can safely perform an emergency stop.
WalkingAs soon as able. This is an excellent form of gentle exercise to aid your recovery. It is important to slowly pace yourself and build up distances gradually.
ShoweringInitially the wound should be covered by a waterproof dressing whilst taking brief showers. Once it has healed fully longer showers and bathing are permitted.
HouseworkWhen comfortable. Avoid bending at the back and use your knees. Avoid twisting when hoovering and when ironing make sure the board is set at an appropriate level or you can sit down to iron. Avoid over stretching.
LiftingLifting light objects and shopping can be performed when comfort allows. Avoid bending at the back and use your knees. Use both arms to carry shopping and avoid carrying for long periods.
SwimmingYour wound must have healed fully before you can swim. If you have been fused please wait until you have had a follow up X-Ray. In line strokes are best following lumbar spine surgery (front crawl and back stoke).
Gardening6+6+12+12+
Cycling6+6+6+6 to 12+
Racquet sports, golf, cricket, jogging6+12+12-24+**12-24+**
Yoga, Pilates, tai chi, aerobics, gentle aerobic gym activity6+6+12+**12+**
Weight lifting, contact sports, gymnastics (including football and rugby)12+12+26-52 (if at all)**26-52 (if at all)**

Anterior Cervical Discectomy and FusionPosterior Cervical Decompression and FusionAdult Deformity CorrectionPaediatric Deformity Correction
Wound Healing1 to 22 to 42 to 42 to 4
Office / Desk Job4 to 66+8 to 12+6+
Manual Job12+12+26+**12+ N/A**
DrivingApproximately 4 to 6 weeks when you are comfortable getting into and out of a car, can turn your body to look out of the back window and can safely perform an emergency stop.
WalkingAs soon as able. This is an excellent form of gentle exercise to aid your recovery. It is important to slowly pace yourself and build up distances gradually.
ShoweringInitially the wound should be covered by a waterproof dressing whilst taking brief showers. Once it has healed fully longer showers and bathing are permitted.
HouseworkWhen comfortable. Avoid bending at the back and use your knees. Avoid twisting when hoovering and when ironing make sure the board is set at an appropriate level or you can sit down to iron. Avoid over stretching.
LiftingLifting light objects and shopping can be performed when comfort allows. Avoid bending at the back and use your knees. Use both arms to carry shopping and avoid carrying for long periods.
SwimmingYour wound must have healed fully before you can swim. If you have been fused please wait until you have had a follow up X-Ray. In line strokes are best following lumbar spine surgery (front crawl and back stoke).
Gardening12+12+26+12+ N/A
Cycling6 to 12+6 to 12+12+12+
Racquet sports, golf, cricket, jogging12+12+26+26+**
Yoga, Pilates, tai chi, aerobics, gentle aerobic gym activity12+**12+**26 to 52 (if at all)**26+**
Weight lifting, contact sports, gymnastics (including football and rugby)26 to 52 (if at all)**26 to 52 (if at all)**52+ (if at all)**52+**

*The following abbreviations have been used to keep the tables manageable:

PLFPosterolateral Fusion
TLIFTransforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion
XLIFExtreme Lateral Interbody Fusion
ALIFAnterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion
#sFractures
ACDFAnterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion
IVDRIntervertebral Disc Replacement

** After discussion with your surgeon