Hi Andrew - I am glad your prognosis looks great for a full recovery. That said, I do not think anyone here would be in a position to advise on recovery time. My only advice here would be work with your medical team and especially your physiotherapists. They (by far) will be far better suited to advise you on these types of questions. Best wishes!

I had a discectomy and an artificial cervical disk put in my neck, but I didn't want to get my back worked on. It was about a year before I played golf again, probably could've played a lot sooner, just didn't. Don't think it's anywhere near close to your recovery though, GL.

I live with back pain everyday and have been thru PT numerous times. I have scoliosis. Curvature of the spine. At my age, 78, pain management is all my neurosurgeon states they can do. Is golf good for it. Nope but I do my daily exercise and take my pain meds and get an occasional epidural. I read up on your issue and so sorry. I wish you a speedy recovery.

Your provider will tell you which kinds of activities are safe for you to do. You might have to avoid contact sports or intense physical activities that stretch or put a lot of stress on your spine. Hopefully the fusion will help that pain. PT is helpful, as are the daily at home exercise plan I do, just follow the plan your doctor sets up for you. It requires a lot of discipline, more than I thought. I have had one surgery involving L5 (bone spurs) and the rest pain management over a three year period. Has it affected my golf game? Absolutely, about ten strokes worth. Best of luck in your recovery, mentally and physically.

Good morning. in 2012 I had surgery at L4-L5 and S1 for spinal stenosis and a herniated disc. I was told not to play golf for 6 weeks but could start chipping and putting at 3 weeks. Did some physical therapy and stretches and it went well. Before I left the hospital the doc said i would probably need more surgery in a couple of years as i had other disc problems. Well, on Sept 30 2014 i had a fusion on L4-5 and S1. It took 3-4 hours, but i had been in horrible pain and it had to be done. He told me i could hit chip shots in 6 weeks but didnt want me to swing full until Jan . Since i dont usually start playing again until March, i had all winter to rehab. Did some PT and still stretch today. Also did some dry needling which did help. But it has definitely affected my swing. Cant turn as much as i used to, even then. I am 71 now and still play pretty well, but i miss that flexibility that surgery cost me. I also feel like my back wont release as well when i go to hit my irons. Sometimes it locks up and hit a wild shank or some other shot. That has lessened this summer thank God. lol But the back is still tight and always will be. Hope this helps and i wish you good luck. Don