Exact Answer: 8 Weeks
With today’s growing stress and long sitting hours the body is forced to be sitting that too for long hours and can adversely affect the body that, many health problems may persist like obesity, high blood pressure and as the body is sitting where the person is constantly eating this can lead to increased cholesterol.
The most common disease that can persist if sitting in the wrong posture is Scoliosis; Scoliosis can also occur during puberty if there is a spurt in the growth purpose; this curvature in the spine can be very painful challenging to handle.
Most Scoliosis is treatable with a minor surgery applying wires and screws in the spinal cord to correct the position.
How Long After Scoliosis Surgery Can I Drive?
Scoliosis is defined as a prolonged and chronic curvature in the spinal cord; this curvature can bring a drastic change in everyday activities like bending, walking, and most explicitly, driving. The curvature occurs during puberty or particular injury or accidents.
Scoliosis is treatable with surgery, but the recovery period is rather long and painful.
The surgery is performed in steps. At first, the skin is split from the centre that exposes the spinal cord.
Second, the angle of the curvature is determined by the doctor. At extreme angles, the surgery can be more prolonged and painful.
Third, a small hole is drilled individually in every bone that connects to another bone, and a screw is drilled into the hole, a metal wire made out of different material is then screwed with the screws.
Fourth, using medical pliers from both sides, the wire is pulled and bring back the spinal cord to the position of 90 degrees; on the other side same process is repeated until wires supporting the spinal cord are attached from both sides is completed. Finally, the cut is closed using stitches.
After the surgery, the pain may be numb due to the anesthesia. After that, the pain sets in, and the patient is required to have a bed rest as not to disrupt the spinal cord, followed by regular walking and exercises. Still, everyday activities like bending a lot, driving, and running are prohibited.
| Curvature in Spinal Cord | Recovery Time |
| 90 to 100 Degree | 4 to 5 weeks |
| 100 to 135 Degree | 6 to 7 weeks |
| 140 to 180 Degree | 8 weeks |
Why Does it Take So Long to Drive After the Scoliosis Surgery?
After the surgery takes place, everyday activities take a break, especially driving as with the condition; driving is nearly impossible as while driving the person is required to use the foot that can cause pain the back and even turn out to bad,
After the surgery, many factors affect how much time is required to participate in everyday activities.
That depends upon two factors, the angle of the spinal cord and the recovery time.
The angle at which the surgery took place is the most dominating factor. As more curvature is present in the spinal cord, it will pull back the spinal cord and bring back the spinal cord to the initial position as more screws have to be added, and pulling back the spinal cord is very difficult painful.
After the surgery, the person can feel the pain, but the curvature is relatively more minor, the person will recover soon.
Moreover, the recovery time also depends upon the person’s age. An active kid will recover soon due to the constant exercising and walking. The spinal cord will adapt to the changes. Still, on the other hand, aged people can recover due to lack of exercise and able to walk correctly. This can increase the time to recover from the surgery.
After the surgery and bed rest are followed by exercising and medicines, the spinal cord adapts to the changes and can get back to everyday activities.
Conclusion
Scoliosis is defined as a prolonged and chronic curvature in the spinal cord; this curvature can bring a drastic change in everyday activities like bending, walking, and most explicitly, driving. The curvature occurs during puberty or particular injury or accidents.
But the scoliosis is easily treatable with surgery by placing screws and wires in the spinal cord so that the spinal cord can be brought back to the actual position.
After the surgery, daily activities like bending, running, walking, and driving can halt as any pressure on the spinal cord can cause immense pain and even the cord shifting back.
References
- https://journals.lww.com/corr/citation/1973/06000/scoliosis_surgery_in_adults.22.aspx
- https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Hilali_Noordeen/publication/15131773_Syringomyelia_A_potential_risk_factor_in_scoliosis_surgery/links/563b3f4d08aeed0531ddd63a.pdf
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The recovery time seems reasonable, considering the surgery.
It makes sense that driving is restricted. You wouldn’t want to hurt the patient after such a surgery.
Definitely, the recovery time seems justified.
Agreed, Mohammed. This article is very enlightening.
Good to know the time frame for recovery.
It’s nice to know how long it takes to recover from this type of surgery.
It seems like the recovery time depends on the level of the curvature. Very interesting.
It definitely shows that the severity of the scoliosis plays a big part in the recovery.
The recovery time seems extensive, but considering the surgery, it’s understandable.
A lot of insightful information.
This article is a bit overwhelming. I don’t have scoliosis, but those who do have my sympathies.
I agree, this would be a tough surgery to go through.
I admire the resilience of those who go through with this surgery.
This article is very informative. It’s great to have this level of detail.
Definitely agree, Iwatson.
This is a really informative article. My daughter has scoliosis and I need all the information I can get to help her.
I also have a niece that has scoliosis and I think the article was helpful.
I agree with you, Max. I found it really enlightening too.