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Lumbar Spinal Fusion, Post-Op. Should I have these symptoms?
Spine Health | Last Active: Jul 26, 2024 | Replies (53)Comment receiving replies
I had my L4-S1 fusion four years ago. I was off the opioids within about 6 days. I followed the instructions I had been given and because I had good pain relief from the start, I was able to wean off. I used ES Tylenol for the first three months and like everyone says, it didn't offer much, if any, pain relief. After 3 months I was able to resume taking Celebrex which was much more helpful. I was told Voltaren, Aspirin, Advil, Motrin, Aleve, Ibuprofen, Indocin, Celebrex or Vioxx inhibit the development of a solid fusion during the first 3 months. During the surgery a bone graft or substitute is placed in the spine that facilitates bone growth between the adjacent vertebrae It takes about 3 to 6 months after surgery for the fusion to form into one bone. The bone continues to mature and solidify over 12 to 18 months after the surgery.
I was told to not sit for longer than 45 minutes at a time, walk every hour and to add about 10 minutes to my walk each day as I was able. If you sit in a chair longer than 1 hour or only walk once or twice a day, your muscle will become very sore and painful. I was also told to work on lower extremity strengthening and gait training. I started physical therapy about 1 week after my surgery and continued with that for about 3 months. I also saw my family doctor that first week after surgery for follow-up. About 6 weeks after your surgery if your doctor says yes, you can also start walking in water and/or other water exercises to increase the strength in your spine and legs. I have found this beneficial and it gives me good pain relief for several hours.
I left the hospital with a front wheeled walker and graduated to a cane the first week after surgery. I probably used the cane about 1 month to 6 weeks. It took about 2 1/2 months before I could stand long enough to cook a meal so I used a bar stool in my kitchen when I needed to sit. Your experience may be different than mine.
I didn't lift more than 10 pounds for the first 3 months. Your doctor will tell you when you can start to lift more weight. I am not a smoker but was told not to smoke. Nicotine, patches and smokeless cigarettes decreases the chance of wound healing.
My family doctor told me to use Milk of Magnesia along with the stool softener to relieve constipation and it worked wonders. I only had to use it once. Walking is also supposed to help with constipation.
It took several months before I could lift my bottom off the bed to roll over. That might become a problem for you because you aren't really using the muscles in your lower spine to roll over or change positions when you are sleeping in your recliner. Walking was also a slow process for me. I live in an area with some pretty steep hills to climb. I just couldn't climb up or down well for months.
I don't know if a recliner is a good or bad. It may depend upon the person. I stopped using mine 17 years ago because it didn't offer enough support for my spine. Fjords, a company in Norway build very supportive, comfortable recliners. They come with either leather or cloth upholstery. They are available on Amazon but I would like to sit in one first to make sure it fits my size.
Four years later, I am still dealing with sciatic pain. The area that was fused is pain free. My pain comes from L2 and L3 and I may need more surgery in the future. For now, I am happy to be able to walk my dogs, do my own grocery shopping, clean my house and take care or our needs here at home. I also am aware that I have a very degenerative spine. I do what I can to take of it! For now, I let the future take care of itself and enjoy the beautiful spring weather I have today.
Replies to "I had my L4-S1 fusion four years ago. I was off the opioids within about 6..."
@wandagoode I went thru the L4-S1April 2023. I had surgery because when I bent over I would about fall trying to get back up. When the surgeon got in there he found that L5 was loose , so he had to go to S1 (worst mistake ever I was already fused at L3-L4) at 3 weeks I had someone come up behind me while I was seated and twist me. The following week the nurse practitioner said it might be a set back but should be ok and I could start twisting, bending, lifting up to 30 lbs. I went home that night and after my shower decided to bend over and dry my lower legs (big mistake) there was a burning across my back that never improved. Still using a cane and sometimes Walker or scooter the surgeon released me to go back to work as a pipefitter at 4-1/2 months said everything’s healed . Luckily I met my new pcp that week and she kept me off the other 6 weeks then I was 8 months of no income applying for disability. My 1 year follow up the surgeon said everything is solid , no scar tissue , no pinched nerves , I can go play football . He’s on the second floor I can’t walk 1/4 of the distance so my wife took me up in a wheelchair I was seen several times in between because of the pain , all he would say is why did you have this test done. Last 4 visits never got me out of the wheelchair to look at my back. I still can rub my tailbone and send pain straight to the testicle I told him and he said no it has nothing to do with the back, I was having bladder and bowel issues so I asked about the Cauda Equine nerve since my inner thigh was so tender and painful and he said no so I had an epidural (with no relief) . He referred me for a pain stimulator luckily the pain doctor agreed there was something still wrong and sent me to see another neurosurgeon and I seen another one when I was in the hospital ( all they said is they wouldn’t recommend no other surgery) I was sent to surgeon #4 who said it’s my hip hip surgeon done a test and said the hips fine it’s your back. So back to the Pain doctor once again he said there’s still something wrong and recommended Mayo Clinic which I was denied. Back to pain doctor for an EMG nothings wrong with the back, I have mild neuropathy and pelvic issues which unfortunately pelvic therapy ended that week. I’m going the 30th to see my Neurologist so hopefully he can give me some answers. I had to stop physical therapy and water therapy it was hurting too bad, everytime I squat in the pool and do pelvic tilts my back popped, then I’ve been going and just walking in the water and had to stop the pressure of the water hurt. I still occasionally have trouble at church and had to start setting in the entry way where it’s concrete floor because the vibration of the Bass on the wood floor triggered the nerves. Sorry for such a long post hopefully it helps someone watch out for something since it never helped me!
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wandegoode! Good Morning 🙂 I enjoyed reading your informative post, I even copied it for future reference ! I have my first appointment at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, although I live just 2 hours away from Mayo Clinic n Jacksonville,FL & I know my way around quite well, as I have lived close by for many years. However, Jax Mayo only has 5 Neurosurgeons; & Rochester has 25- so my odds were certainly much better to get in at Rochester. Ironically, My husband just retired from the USN, and we lived outside of WA, DC- close to some of the best hospitals- Walter Reed, Johns Hopkins, NIH,(Nation Institute of health- basically a Research Hospital) I was also referred to a well Neurosurgeon at U of Virgina, in Charlottesville, VA- but to no avail all that Doctor did was do ALOT of tests, MRI, Mylogram, Cat Scans, X-rays, a tilt stand-up X-ray, plus blood work- all this just used up most of my Insurance... 🙁
Please tell me more about your surgery, where you had it etc.I have an approximate 60 + degree deviation to the left, and it is very painful, & very obvious. I walk w/ a cane- but not very far..and walk my sweet dog using a 4 wheel cart- purchased on line from Vive.
I wish you well. Have a nice day Darlene
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