Anyone with more pain after surgery than before?

I think they will do an MRI at the three month recovery. Right now it is PT, and pills! But neither seem to be helping. Very discouraging but they say give it time. It is hard when the pain is worse following surgery than before.

Thanks! I actually had my first fusion in 2001 . Replaced a disc and fused at L3-L4 they went thru the stomach and 6 cuts in my back instead of a single 4”back incision like this time so less nerves to damage. Would have been nice if they could have went from L3-L4 and let it extend to catch L5 that was loose and not touched the S1. 3 weeks after the surgery an 80 year old neighbor came up behind me and placed a hand on each shoulder and started twisting me not knowing I had the surgery. Next week the NP said I could start lifting 30lb and twist and bend, next night after showering vent to dry my calves and when I squatted there was a stinging across my back and it never improved. Ever bend my back pops. Finally at 4-1/2 months surgeon said everything’s healed go back to work! Being a pipefitter and not even able to walk in a store but I could go climb ladders and twist and bend all day I was able to get my new family doctor to sign me off the last 1-1/2 months of my disability. Now 2-1/2 months no income and attorney expected me to be on permanent disability within 90 days were now at 5-1/2 months and expecting at least a couple more months before getting a decision. With neck spurs, brain cyst, heart and lung issues plus a whole lot more it’s been a challenge going to 5-6 appointments a week for the last 3 months. Sorry to Ramble it’s great finding this site to be able to discuss with others since doctors don’t listen

I feel your pain.

What do they say is the reason for your back popping? I hear and feel this but Dino know if it is a bad thing.

You might call your provider to request an earlier MRI. It will be a relief if nothing is amiss.

They say it’s normal. I still feel like maybe a set screw got loosened when I was accidentally twisted , mri wouldn’t show that I don’t think. None of them have looked at my back. They just leave me in the wheel chair (I have to use because I can’t walk that far) I can tell them where nerves and pain come from and all they say is no. I literally rub the nerve in my incision that goes to the testicle on my way to his office and all he says is no see a urologist for the pain. Urologist agrees it’s my back the testicle ultra sound is normal. It depends which way I lean as to which testicle hurts. I was evaluated for pelvic therapy (which I thought was for women ) I go tonight for my next visit , the exercises she gave me to try literally tilting the pelvic And squeezing the cheeks causes the anal pain . Even the therapist were concerned it was causing Cauda Equina Syndrome( loosing bladder and bowel control) . The pain doctor referred me to the surgeon and after being told get a stimulator after the surgery the pain doc agreed something was wrong and sent me to another friend of his who said he won’t do anything and I was admitted in the hospital for a 23 hour evaluation and the on call surgeon said he agreed with them, makes me wonder if first surgeon done something wrong and the others don’t want to fix his screw up( just my opinion) after the surgery I was up walking 4 hours later to the restroom another 2 hours walked out into the hallway and the next morning 600’ to the X-ray room and another 600’ back climbed the 2 steps and felt good there was no popping.

Man, if it weren't for bad luck, you wouldn't have any at all. Wish I could give you advice. Have you investigated the spinal cord stimulator? I can do good things for back pain. There is a tial that will give you an idea if it will help with your pain. Worth looking into.

I’m going the 31st to get an EMG on my hands to make sure where numbness is coming from, then being referred for a stimulator for the back.

After going to the pelvic therapist Thursday I learned that some of the pains I’m having could be from my tailbone being misaligned. Upon reading tailbone misaligned can also cause neck issues, so I’ve definitely got more questions to talk to the therapist and doctors.

This can all be so frustrating! But you have to keep digging, medically, until YOU are satisfied you understand what you're dealing with. Keep up your energy and determination.

After three spine surgeries - all scheduled - in 2023 (cervical and lumbar) I experienced lots of new pain. Much was a normal side effect post-spinal surgery where long pinched nerves were starting to "wake up". Nerves are slow-pokes when it comes to regeneration and what you experience as they are released and start their own repair process...can be quire painful at times and often even a new area hurts. In my case (N = 1) the nerves are even now (8+ months post) still sending me signals that they're changing and hopefully returning to something like normal. Time and positive thinking can help.

My neurosurgeon told be that the new hardware was stronger than my natural spinal structure. Probably unlikely a screw has come loose?