Your spine transfers information from your body to your brain. Any medical condition or injury that affects your spine will probably affect your motor function as well.
People develop spinal issues for many reasons. They could hurt their back when they fall or during a car crash. They might slowly develop issues due to frequent twisting or lifting at work. A spinal injury could mean a long leave of absence from your job or even early retirement.
Some people desperately want to get back to work after their injuries but will need to wait until they recover to do so. Spinal injuries may require surgery to remove damaged bones or even to fuse vertebra to reduce pain and increase function. Such surgeries may fix the underlying issue but often require a lengthy recovery period.
How long does it take to get better after a spinal surgery?
The more invasive the procedure, the longer the recovery period will be. In some cases, like a discectomy, you could be symptom-free a few weeks after the procedure.
If you have a laminectomy, your recovery period could easily last up to a year. The bones themselves usually need at least three months to heal. After a spinal fusion procedure, your recovery could take anywhere from a month to six months, maybe longer.
Your age, the severity of your injury and underlying health concerns can all impact how quickly you recover from spinal surgery. Some people with sedentary jobs can go back to work within a few weeks, even while they still need time to fully heal. Others could be off of work until they completely recover.
Will spinal surgery qualify you for SSDI?
A condition severe enough to keep you from caring for your own needs or doing your job could qualify you for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. However, the severity of the condition is not the only qualifying factor. It also has to last long enough to justify your benefit request.
Permanent conditions or those that affect someone for more than a year can qualify them for SSDI benefits. Those with a longer recovery period after their surgery may qualify for benefits. If you need to wait months before you have the operation, you may be out of work for well over a year. Reviewing your medical records and prognosis can help you better determine if applying for SSDI make sense after a serious back injury.