Resuming Activities After Scoliosis Surgery

After scoliosis surgery, patients can resume very light activities based upon their recoveries and on the instructions of their doctors. Because vertebrae have been fused and stabilized with steel rods and hooks, these patients have to be careful not to take part in very risky activity.

When Surgery Is Indicated

• For spinal curvatures that are greater than 40 to 50 degrees, surgery may be strongly recommended. If a curvature is located on a particular portion of the spine the surgeon may be more likely to recommend surgical correction as well. For adults who suffer from scoliosis and related pain, the surgeon may recommend surgery as a way of addressing the pain.

  Surgery is usually performed through incisions in the back; if the curvature is severe or rigid, surgeons may opt to perform surgery from the front, in the chest or abdominal area or through the side of the trunk.

Level of Activity Right After Surgery

• After surgery, the patient will be encouraged to sit up immediately, although an adult patient who has had her sacrum fused will need to talk to her surgeon about sitting. Adults, children and adolescents will be able to walk immediately after surgery once they have recovered from anesthesia.

  The patient will have to follow her doctor's guidelines for activities such as bending over more than 90 degrees or lifting her arms above her head. In general, lifting weight will depend on preoperative fitness. Having sexual intercourse will be limited to six weeks after surgery and certain positions. Some hygiene activities such as clipping toenails or shaving legs will be limited by the amount of flex which is allowed.

  Gentle exercise such as yoga can be resumed after three months. Back exercises can be resumed after six weeks for children, adults and adolescents.

  The patient will have to limit her housework to very light activity such as sweeping, and she will have to wait for six weeks to resume this.

Level of Activity Further in Recovery

• Once the patient has successfully resumed light activity, he can begin to resume other activities such as mowing the lawn three months after surgery. Other, more vigorous activities he can resume include running and jogging, tennis, baseball, soccer, horse riding, snow/water skiing, golf, skydiving and, after two years, rock climbing. Women should wait at least one year before trying to become pregnant.