Lumbar Spinal Fusion — TLIF / Posterior Lumbar Fusion

Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center · Julia Rose EdD PA-C; OSU Neurological Surgery / Orthopaedic Surgery

Weight-Bearing

WBAT from POD 1; walking goal 30 min 2x/day Phase 1; no formal WB restrictions

Key Restrictions

No NSAIDs x 3-6 months per surgeon; NO BLTs x 12 weeks (no lifting >5-8 lbs x 3 months); no driving while on narcotics; no scar mobilization x 3 months; no tobacco; brace only if poor bone quality, smoker, spinal fracture, or multi-level fusion; outpatient PT typically starts at 12 weeks (vs 3 weeks for discectomy); no sitting >30-45 min; back support with feet flat when sitting

Timeline & Phases

3 phases: Phase 1 (POD 1-6-12 wks, home walking/ADLs), Phase 2 (typically starts wk 12, OP PT 2-3x/wk x 6-8 wks, 12-24 visits), Phase 3 (return to baseline function/work)

Notes

.edu site; April 2022; key differentiator from discectomy: OP PT starts at 12 wks (not 3 wks); lifting restriction >5-8 lbs (vs >20 lbs for discectomy); same lumbar stabilization program; ODI + FABQ at initial eval and 6th visit; nerve glides 2x10; pool therapy optional; no ultrasound; same authorship as discectomy and laminectomy protocols

Surgeon / Author

Julia Rose EdD PA-C; OSU Neurological Surgery / Orthopaedic Surgery

Published

April 2022