Anyone with more pain after surgery than before?

I had an L4-S1 fusion April 2023 the pain got worse but the surgeon said everything’s healed go back to work. Almost a year later I’m using a cane can walk far because of pain. Seen 2 other surgeons agreed everything’s good , all of them says go get a pain stimulator. My urologist sent me to a pelvic therapist (I thought that was for women) after her doing internal therapy a lot of the pain eased I still have some pain in my back and different nerve pain in my legs . I had the surgery because when I bent over I would about fall (L5 was loose) I’m still having some trouble standing up and don’t bend over very well. I had L4 replaced and fused in 2002 then hardware removed in 2003. You might discuss the pelvic therapy with your doctor as another option

Hello, thanks for that thought. I will ask about it. I’ve finished my PT and it did help the pain down my hip and leg. One of the therapist interns started doing some pressure massage on the spot where it started in my spine, wow what a help that was. I’ve heard of piraformis massage,is it called? So now I have a kids tennis ball we bought for our grandkids, I back up against the wall and push that spot on my back and hip. Self PT! She suggested it. I am thankful for their help. PT was so difficult at first, I hadn’t exercised in so long. But now I’m keeping it up. My pain isn’t gone, the nerve is still there if I overdo it flares up. But much better!

The pelvic therapist had me use a foam roller on the door since I couldn’t get on the floor after about 2 times rolling over it on my lower back/tailbone I was aching from the waist down for about 2-1/2 weeks she gave me new exercises to try I’m finally able to start doing them. I was having testicle and anal pain, depended which hip I leaned on as to which leg went numb, setting in church we have a wood floor the vibration of the bass would trigger my nerves in my leg. Riding in the car more than 30 minutes was too painful, and I still don’t go in a store unless they have a scooter available.

Dear @kcooley...There is just nothing simple or 100% predictable when it comes to spinal surgeries. Every patient, every surgeon, and every injured spine is different - so it's reasonable to expect outcomes to be different.

For me, my thigh pain got significantly worse in the months immediately after L2-5 decompression/fusion. My thighs had been progressively more numb for literally decades. Post surgery the numbness became intense pain and a feeling of pressure and "fullness". The neurosurgeon explained that long pinched nerves take a long time to re-awaken and there can be associated pain.

He prescribed gabapentin which I never took as I didn't like the listed possible side effects.

The good news (for me and maybe for you as well) is, nine months post-surgery, the thigh pain is very tolerable and I feel still receding in intensity. Nerves are very slow at self-repair and I know of no way to speed their glacial pace.

Are you maintaining a diary? Nerve pain resolution was so slow for me that the diary was useful to actually track improvements that often were undetectable one day to the next.

No I haven’t done a diary. Never thought about it

A friend who had spinal surgery experience suggested the diary idea to me. I am not normally one to keep a diary. But I found the passage of time was upended during my lengthy recovery and the diary helped me stay grounded as to what I was experiencing and to measure my actual rate of recovery. I enjoyed it and periodically still update and re-read entries.

I found the pain diary helpful, and am going to post an update soon just to keep myself focused on my progress. The PT who was coming to my house in those first days suggested it as a way to keep my spirits up. I was so overwhelmed, it felt like I had made a huge error in getting a second fusion.
When I read back over time, I could see how much progress I had made.
When you’re in the thick of it, it’s hard to see that.

@ga29 - You get the diary idea perfectly. I also empathize with your comment about feeling overwhelmed at times. And I also wondered many times if I'd made the right decision to do both cervical and lumbar work in just a three-month period. It was a lot. Hopefully, you're continuing to make some progress! Keep a positive outlook!

yes had no pain before and all pain after surgery. please go and see your doctor/surgeon for follow-up because this should not be guesswork and you should receive guidance and further treatment as necessary. in my case i was told recovery would be a mere 4 weeks and i did not know the pain that would result - in fact that was misinformation and i am not happy about it - I am now almost 9 mos after surgery and still struggling but one thing i rely on is exercise which is a must - without it i feel even worse.

Hi
I am scheduled for a laminectomy end of April 2024 on L2-L5.
Would appreciate any advise in preparation and what to expect.
I have had 12 years of stenosis and have started to collapse when out walking- that is why they are doing the surgery.
Should I delay surgery until I can't move???
thanks
timothy