Normally once you are off any opiates and feel safe to drive and perform an emergency stop. The wound also needs to be comfortable enough that you are not distracted. A reasonable period would be 7–10 days after surgery.

This varies depending on your baseline and activities. Almost always you are out of bed the day after surgery, and by the time you are discharged, my expectation is that you can climb stairs, shower and use the toilet without assistance.

After 2 weeks, I want you doing non-impact cardio, which you should continue indefinitely. Impact activities can be recommenced once the scar and surgical site have more mature collagen, at around 6 weeks. If you had a fusion, I would wait until there are signs of bony union, usually around 3 months.

Normally, with a simple decompression, you can recommence sport once the tissues have healed and matured enough to take “loading”. I prefer non-impact cardio only (spinning, stationary bike, swimming) from week 2 until week 8. After that you can start impact activities again, such as running, padel and tennis.

If you have had a fusion, the non-impact cardio should continue for at least 3 months to allow the fusion to take place. Normally I would like to see your 3-month X-rays to monitor your progress.

If you have a “bad back or neck”, my advice is to do activities that suit your spine. Avoid impact activities that load the spine or place shear forces across it. Maintain regular cardiovascular fitness, preferably with non-impact exercise such as swimming and cycling. Stop smoking, and maintain a normal body mass index and a healthy diet.

Yes. Inevitably the fused segments will not move again, which is the point of a fusion. However, they would not have been moving normally before surgery, and because spinal pain often improves with surgery, you are often able to move and function better after a successful procedure.

I encourage exercise in general, but my advice is to avoid unnecessary spinal movement in the belief that it somehow prevents spinal wear and tear. Many of my patients have been Pilates or Yoga instructors, and even elite athletes such as CrossFit champions, marathon runners and bodybuilders have needed surgical management.

In my opinion, no. The spinal muscles don’t “stabilise” the spine; they simply keep the spine positioned in space where you need it. That comes with great compressive loads across the discs, which they are well designed for, but inevitably they wear out. Read my advice on Spinal health and common sense for more information.