Recommendations For Post Surgical Treatment

Recommendations for First Three Weeks Postop SI Fusion Surgery:

  • No driving or car riding for more than one hour.
  • No sitting for longer than one hour.
  • No standing or walking for longer than 30 minutes.
  • Avoid bending and twisting at waist.
  • Sleep with a pillow between knees.
  • Sit straight with a pillow to small of back.
  • No lifting anything over 10 lbs.
  • You may drive in approximately one week.
  • Avoid stair climbing. If you do stair climb, lead with the strong leg and take one
  • step at a time.
  • No single leg standing.
  • No exercise for three weeks.

Lifetime Activity Restrictions:

  • No bungee jumping.
  • No parachute jumping.
  • No rock climbing.
  • No step aerobics.
  • No stairmaster.
  • No chiropractic manipulation of the lumbar spine.
  • No heavy lifting – more than 50 lbs.

Set up an appointment with your physical therapist for an initial postop evaluation at 2-3 weeks postop. To request an online appointment  click here  

At 2-3 weeks, you will begin Phase 1 of your SI Stabilization Program under the direction of your physical therapist. Do not begin an exercise program before this time. You should also not being a walking program until at least 6 weeks postop, and then only under the direction of your physical therapist.

Note: After you begin your walking and exercise program, if you experience buttocks pain, it could represent an irritation of the piriformis muscle. Decrease walking to a minimum.