If Robert is ok to ride in the car it will happen. That was major surgery he had. Plates and fusion are a hard recovery. I'm sure he will feel a 100% better in another week. His doctor probably wouldn't advise anything that would jeopradize the fusion. In about 6 weeks the bone will start to grow into the hardware. It's a tossup about riding in a car at this time. I think it's too eary to be messing around with activity. He is in a collar I think (or should be). I had the same procedure done and I work with a back orthodpedic specialist for the Cleveland Clinc.