Following a spine fusion your ability to do many activities will be limited. This can include normal daily activities and occupational duties. It is best to make arrangements before surgery to have these needs met.

Preoperative Preparation for Spine Fusion Surgery
Prepare for Blood Loss after Spinal Fusion Surgery
Maximize the Ability to Heal After Spine Fusion Surgery
Arrange for Assistance at Home and Work
How to Prep Your Home for Spine Surgery Recovery Video
Back Surgery Video: How Spinal Fusion Stops Back Pain

The extent of the assistance you may need depends on many things:

Specific type of fusion surgery to be completed
Your age
Nerve function

Type of job
Amount of help you have at home

It is important to discuss all these factors with your surgeon prior to the surgery, and get a fairly good understanding of when you will be allowed to return to modified/full duty at work so that you can plan accordingly.

Dr. John Sherman is an orthopedic surgeon at Twin City Orthopedics. He specializes in spine surgery and has been practicing for more than 25 years. Dr. Sherman has served as Assistant Professor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of California, Los Angeles and has conducted research on motion preservation technology and minimally invasive spine surgery.