Connect
← Return to Lower back spinal fusion recover, how bad is it?
Discussion
Lower back spinal fusion recover, how bad is it?
Spine Health | Last Active: May 26 12:30pm | Replies (21)Comment receiving replies
I had a two level fusion L4-S1 the 27th of May, 2020 and I was released on May 30th. I was pain free immediately after the surgery and for months after. I don't remember being very fatigued. The pain medications contribute to fatigue. My summer was definitely not filled with lots of fun activities. I was 70 at the time. It took most of the summer to regain some semblance of strength in my lower back. I didn't start cooking until August and I wasn't doing much cleaning either. I was in physical therapy for three months that summer. I had my surgery that time of year because I live near Lake Superior and I didn't want to deal with ice and snow after my surgery. I could enjoy being outside, taking short walks and driving out to see local scenery. When I had the surgery, I was beginning to use a wheelchair and couldn't do my own grocery shopping. My doctors managed my pain well and by the end of the first week, I was no longer on pain medication. I also have a high tolerance for pain, but I just didn't need the medication. For physical therapy, I would take a Tylenol an hour before my session and that helped a great deal. Where I had the most discomfort was in bed. You might want to think about a body pillow or a pillow under your legs until you learn a position that is comfortable for you and your spine has had a chance to recover from the surgery.
My husband was a great help during the healing period. I can't imagine doing this without some help. Put your most frequently used dishes and pans where you don't have to reach or bend to get them. Have several weeks of meals prepared ahead, or use takeout or TV dinners. I also kept a stool in the kitchen so I could sit while I was working. I used a walker for the first week and then I used my cane for most of the summer. I used a toilet raiser with arms for support. I didn't need bed rails. My headboard is metal and I would grab the posts in the headboard to help myself roll over. The other thing I purchased was a grabber to pick things up off the floor or let it do your reaching for you. I still use it!
Replies to "I had a two level fusion L4-S1 the 27th of May, 2020 and I was released..."
@wandagoode it’s amazing things you learn to do differently the grabbers are my best friend especially picking my cane up when I drop it. I had an L4-S1 fusion April 2023 pain got getter then 3 weeks after fusion someone put their hands on my shoulder and twist me. Seen a he nurse practitioner on week 4 was told it might be a set back but I could start lifting 30 lbs( I started ll barely lift a gallon of milk) and bending and twisting after showering that night I bent down to dry my lower legs and felt a burning across my back. Neurosurgeon didn’t recommend no brace, said I would only be off work 3 months a year later I’m still off , he kept me off 4-1/2 months and said it’s healed and released me. I met my new family doctor and she signed me off the other 1-1/2 months. My pain is 10x worse but hey I can go play football, everything is healed sorry the surgery didn’t help I don’t recommend any more surgeries. Now I can barely walk with a cane , just got approved for disability yesterday, 29 years as a pipefitter and said I could climb ladders lift heavy pipe. With so much pain and numbness to the testicles and anus, sciatic nerves you never know when they will zap you, physical therapy on land and water didn’t help. I now go get in the water and walk. I was sent to a pelvic therapist that has helped the most . The he tailbone pains still severe it’s hard to sleep since I can’t lay on my back without legs going numb or on my side because legs go numb.
Connect
This is so helpful and brings me great relief. We already have grabbers and we have nice bar stools already that I can use to sit while I do things. thanks for the mention of kitchen items. All my pots and pans are under the stove top so I will have to rearrange. Looks like my kids will be heating up freezer meals and I plan on buying pre-made food items from Costco we can heat and eat. Plus it will be grilling season so hamburgers, sausages and chicken are easy to prepare that way.