SURGERY for spinal stenosis & lumbar spinal fusion

I have a few additions to this excellent set of reports. I am 77 and had L4-L5 fusion last July for spinal stenosis and an unstable anterolisthesis. Surgery was proceeded by 6 months of debilitating right leg pain and increasing left foot numbness. That awful pain was gone the day after surgery! I live only 3 miles from the hospital but we borrowed an SUV that was easy to get into and smooth riding. I had children scheduled to work from our home for two weeks and a dog walker. I moved to a lower guest bed and had all my clothes etc pre-positioned in high drawers. Got a fridge and microwave for second floor home office - very helpful. Rented a recliner but never used it. Once home, I walked up two flights slowly but without help or difficulty. I will add to this Pollyanna-ish tale that the muscle pain in back and legs was a surprise. After walking bent over to relieve the nerve pain, being stretched out for 5 hrs of surgery then walking upright stressed the muscles in the front of my body. Heat and ice packs helped. Also surprised at anxiety and weepy sessions - but was reassured by daughter in law that all was normal response to surgery. Finally, was also dismayed by how lousy I felt fir several weeks; weak, no appetite. Very glad I had the surgery (done by an orthopedic surgeon with part done by neurosurgeon). But the advice here is really excellent; prepare in advance, don’t let post-surgery trauma response throw you, and realize that you may be deconditioned from your pre surgery adaptations. Wishing you and the other posters the very best. These are tough decisions and recovery can be long and bumpy! Take care.

P. S. I’ve got an upcoming appointment scheduled for a second opinion. Appreciate everyone’s comments & helped me to finally decide to get another doctor’s opinion.

P. S. Just got appt today for a second opinion. Thanks to all for comments. (I turn 73 this month)

Just got an appointment for a second opinion. Am glad to have found this group & appreciate everyone’s comments.

My doctor’s office has tentatively scheduled my surgery for later this month. I’m 73.
He’ll be doing “TLIF L3-L5”, which is Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion at Lumbar 3 - 4 & Lumbar 4 - 5. Best wishes & thanks to all for comments, draw

I am pleased to hear the outcome of your spinal surgery, with the satisfaction towards the surgical team and your rehabilitation. I am scheduled in June, at Barrow, with a neurosurgeon to inquire about the scoliosis and the hardware from a spinal fusion in 2015 from L5-S1. I appreciate your good and kind words regarding how you prepped yourself post-surgery, as it is very important for the mind to allow healing during rehab. Thank you for your post and a very thoughtful and introspective view, to allow the followers contemplating when navigating their treatments.

My first spine surgery, which included rods for L3 and L4 lasted 20years. But just this past year, when my overall health began to deteriorate, I was diagnosed with hypermobile Ehlers- Danlos Syndrome, a connective tissue disease. The old rods began to fail, and then my L5 deteriorated, setting my pain levels on fire until the day I simply could not get out of bed. Emergency surgery on L4-5 followed, with replacement of the old rods and a new one for L5. Recovery hasn’t been as easy as it was in my’50’s, but at least I can stand up and walk when I feel the need

@sparkleberry Hello and welcome! I love that name, it sounds like a tasty sparkling fruit drink. I am a cervical spine surgery patient, and haven't had your specific experience. How far along are you with your recovery? Are there still some goals you are working toward?

Jennifer

Hello, Jennifer. I, too, have cervical issues, but PT and injections have helped there. My recovery from lower spine surgery with fusion has gone quite well considering the other issues that I deal with. I was in rehab for a month for some fairly intense Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy and have continued the exercises at home

I had the exact same surgery a year ago from last January and I'll tell you, in my case it almost seemed to make it worse! I'm taking 1200 mgs of gabapentin a day with not much relief. My knee joints always feel like they want to give out, my feet tingle and go numb. I still have lots of lower back pain. Not all cases are the same so maybe, hopefully, you'll have better luck!