Questions posted in the Neurology and Neurosurgery Forum have been answered by doctors from The Cleveland Clinic Foundation.

Question Title: Post-OP Anterior Cervical Fusion Rehab & Physical Activity

Forum: Neurology Forum
Topic: Rehabilitation


I am a 41 year old male in great shape (185lbs, BP 110/60, Pulse 46 Cholesteral 115), exercise or did for 1 1/2 hours at least 5 days a week (weightlifting for strength/endurance/tone not bulk) run, play basketball, volleyball, softball, etc.). My question is what are my expectations to continue my normal regime of exercise? What can I expect to do or not to do? Is there a resource (book, etc.) you could suggest?


Its hard to be specific without knowing the precise details of your case ,
but I think I can offer some general comments, the chances of you returning
to to your previous level pf activity are very good indeed, you should
however take it slowly building up to you previous level of activity over
several months.
Contact sports should be the last to be resumed and you should give yourself
several months recovery before resuming these.
As regards weights, you sound as though you already do the type of
weights which involve multiple reps of lighter weights rather than the
more damaging heavier weights, I would proceed with this type of workout
slowly building back up to you previous standards.
Runing can probably be introduced first, again building up slowly, I have deliberately
refrained from giving specific timelines as I do not know your case well enough,
rather than taking a generic schedule from some booklet I would suggest you
see a physical therapist and re-introduce your activities under his/her
guidance.Your current regime would appear to be ideal to maintain a very high level
of cardiovascular fitness, provided you do so gradually there is no reason to
suppose you cannot get right back to where you were before surgery.





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