Cervical Posterior Fusion

Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center · Jordan Hudson DPT, Sean Meers DPT; Reviewed by Andrew Grossbach MD, Jonathan…

Weight-Bearing

Ambulatory; progressive walking program from POD 1; OP PT typically starts at 12 weeks

Key Restrictions

No NSAIDs (per surgeon); +/- C-collar x 6 weeks; no overhead lifting until 3 months; no cervical ROM exercises or prone exercises until 12 weeks; no ultrasound modality; weight limit <8-10 lbs until 3 months

Timeline & Phases

Phase 1 (POD 1-12 wks): +/- C-collar, home PT, mobilization, walking (1 mi/20 min at 6 wks, 2 mi/30 min at 9 wks, 3 mi/45 min at 12 wks); Phase 2 (12-16 wks): OP PT 2-3x/wk, UE strengthening (<8-10 lbs), cervical isometrics, scapular stabilization, balance, postural education; Phase 3 (16+ wks): gentle cervical AROM, advanced scapular stabilization, scar massage, ergonomics, work simulation; Return to work: sedentary 6-12 wks, heavy 16+ wks with gradual increase

Notes

No ultrasound modality at any phase; NDI outcome measure; creation date 2008, latest revision April 2022

Surgeon / Author

Jordan Hudson DPT, Sean Meers DPT; Reviewed by Andrew Grossbach MD, Jonathan Karnes MD, Safdar Khan MD, Varun Singh MBBS, Stephanus Viljoen MD, Elizabeth Yu MD (Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center)

Published

2022