Weeks 0–4: protect the repair
Focus on prescribed walking, safe transfers, and daily activities within restrictions. Follow brace instructions if provided. Avoid adding bending, twisting, loaded exercise, or stretching from the general library.
PATIENT EDUCATION · BACK
Lumbar fusion: protection before progression
Fusion recovery protects bone healing and surgical fixation. Do not use a routine back-pain or decompression program as a substitute for your fusion protocol.
Weeks 4–8: continue protected activity
Restrictions often continue even if pain improves. Progress walking only as instructed. Do not start bridges, planks, or spinal mobility exercises because a certain week has arrived.
Weeks 8–12 and beyond: reassess clearance
Formal outpatient strengthening may be delayed until around 12 weeks or longer, depending on the surgeon. After clearance, rehabilitation can introduce trunk control and graded strengthening. Healing assessment determines the next step.
Examples to discuss—not automatic assignments
Start only if your treating clinician specifically approves the movement, range, and dosage.
Questions for your care team
- What type and number of levels were fused?
- Which restrictions remain until my next surgical review?
- When are active spinal movement and strengthening permitted?
Before moving to the next stage
Confirm your restrictions, review symptom changes, demonstrate the current movements to your therapist, and obtain the next written instructions. Time alone does not establish readiness.
When to stop and get medical help
Stop exercise for new or increasing weakness, spreading numbness, dizziness, or worsening symptoms. Seek urgent medical assessment for fever, concerning wound drainage, or a newly painful swollen calf after surgery. Call 911 for chest pain, sudden shortness of breath, stroke-like symptoms, or a medical emergency. New loss of bladder or bowel control, saddle numbness, or rapidly worsening weakness requires emergency assessment.
Clinical reference
Read the original hospital or professional guidance ↗
Educational overview assembled October 18, 2026. This is not a reproduction of the full protocol, a medical clearance, or a clinician-signed prescription. Follow your own surgical team’s instructions.