Cervical ACDF — Post-Op Cervical Fusion

Advanced Orthopedics and Sports Medicine (Houston Spine Surgeon) · Dr. Jeffrey H. Oppenheimer MD

Weight-Bearing

WBAT from POD 1; walking to ½ mile daily or stationary bike 15-30 min

Key Restrictions

Anterior fusion: avoid extension; Posterior fusion: avoid flexion; avoid passive cervical stretching; limit cervical ROM until 8-10 wks; limit overhead arm movements/bending/lifting; multilevel fusion: hard collar 6 wks; single-level: soft collar as needed 1-2 wks; no cervical loading (overhead resisted) Phase II; arm exercises restricted to 5 lbs below 90 deg elevation

Timeline & Phases

3 phases: Phase I IPSP (0-8 wks, home), Phase II OP PT (8-12 wks, 2-3x/wk), Phase III Advanced (12+ wks)

Notes

Notable: OP PT starts at 8 wks (later than most); Phase II emphasizes longus colli pressure biofeedback (raise from 20 mmHg baseline to 10 mm Hg); planks/core at 10-12 wks; Phase III: cervical mobility exercises (AROM per physician/surgery), advanced balance training, avoid preloading spine with overhead arm movements early; back/neck school education; covers anterior and posterior cervical fusion

Surgeon / Author

Dr. Jeffrey H. Oppenheimer MD