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Is Traveling Safe 10 Weeks After Spine Surgery?
Question: Due to a failed L4-5 lumbar fusion of 2/6/14, on 7/16/15 i had an xlift (left approach) after opening posterially, removing the rods and laminotomy L4-5 and L5-S1, replaced rods
after Xlift cage put in. So far im recovering well as long as i keep ahead of the pain.
I live in Hawaii and have a New England/Canadian cruise with my sister scheduled for Sept 24-oct 4th. My parents and kids think it is too dangerous that soon from the fusion. I would fly from Hawaii to MN - have 24 hr rest before my sister (lives in MN) and we then to New York we we embark from there.
On the way back will fly from Quebec to MN and stay in MN a week before flying back to Hawaii. I tend to fly fairly often and always book isle seats to get up and walk once an hour. I tend to get upgraded to 1st class 80% of time.
My surgeon feels it will be ok to fly and go on the cruise. I will be 10 weeks post op.
If recovery continues to go well and i do not touch my luggage (stay with a 10# lifting restriction along with ortho lumbar brace) do you see any risk factors that should recommend canceling the cruise?
after Xlift cage put in. So far im recovering well as long as i keep ahead of the pain.
I live in Hawaii and have a New England/Canadian cruise with my sister scheduled for Sept 24-oct 4th. My parents and kids think it is too dangerous that soon from the fusion. I would fly from Hawaii to MN - have 24 hr rest before my sister (lives in MN) and we then to New York we we embark from there.
On the way back will fly from Quebec to MN and stay in MN a week before flying back to Hawaii. I tend to fly fairly often and always book isle seats to get up and walk once an hour. I tend to get upgraded to 1st class 80% of time.
My surgeon feels it will be ok to fly and go on the cruise. I will be 10 weeks post op.
If recovery continues to go well and i do not touch my luggage (stay with a 10# lifting restriction along with ortho lumbar brace) do you see any risk factors that should recommend canceling the cruise?
Brief Answer:
You can safely travel.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
After 10 weeks of surgery, the healing should be almost complete so that you can travel comfortably. If you can take adequate precautions like not bending forwards or lifting weight, taking enough rest, not much exertion and do not involve in too much exercise then you can safely travel. Just be careful to take along pain killers and muscle relaxants and heating pads so that you can use them if needed. The surgery as such is not a contraindication for traveling after 10 weeks.
To be very sure just consult your orthopedician and get a check X-ray done one week before the travel date.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
You can safely travel.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
After 10 weeks of surgery, the healing should be almost complete so that you can travel comfortably. If you can take adequate precautions like not bending forwards or lifting weight, taking enough rest, not much exertion and do not involve in too much exercise then you can safely travel. Just be careful to take along pain killers and muscle relaxants and heating pads so that you can use them if needed. The surgery as such is not a contraindication for traveling after 10 weeks.
To be very sure just consult your orthopedician and get a check X-ray done one week before the travel date.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
Answered by
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