Posterior & Anterior Lumbar Surgery: What is recovery like?

Well here I am 2 months after surgery, and not progressing as quickly as some of you. I realize we’re all different, but I am not mobile enough to get out much, and still take pain meds. I see progress, but it’s slow. I’m still grateful for friends and family willing to help. Physical therapy is mild, to keep pain minimized. Just an update. Stay encouraged!

@4petesake don't get discouraged, it's a grind. I'm just over 2 years post surgery and finally no longer think about my back 24/7. It's nice to go days without feeling like a spine patient. The only physical activity I did for the first 6 months was walk. I tried to walk a little further each day. After that, and with Dr permission, I added very light weights. I initially took 2 Tylenol tablets every 6 hours. Eventually, I transitioned to Aleve. Talk to your doctor about the pain control, if you haven't already.

You'll get there...just don't give up!

I am currently experiencing intractable pain from the left side of my lower back into that foot. I can no longer put any weight on my left leg nor pressure on my lower left back without excruciating pain. I went to the emergency department on Sunday who tried to control the pain.They were unable to. I was sent home with steroids for the next five days (50 mg once a day). I’ve now asked for a wheelchair. I’m scheduled for another epidural in two weeks. After that, my only option is repair of the two herniated discs at L4-L5 and L5-S1. . I also need surgery on the adjacent left facet joints. I also have been told this will be a very difficult recovery. I live alone and have no support. Has anyone else had surgery and what was the outcome? How long did it take to recover? I’ve already had two cervicals fusions and I’m currently fused from C4 to T1 and that was a difficult recovery. I’m not really prepared emotionally or mentally to go through another recovery.

@yrm - Sorry for your difficulties. Seems like you may have reached the point where surgery is your next best option.

I believe you are asking the correct questions about lumbar surgery recovery. I've had both cervical and lumbar fusions and the recoveries were markedly different. The lumbar recovery - because the lower spine plays such a prominent role in body support - was much longer and more challenging. Personally, I believe it would be very daunting to manage on your own - at least for the first weeks or even months.

If you cannot have someone come to be your full-time caregiver, maybe you can find a limited-stay medical "hotel"? Your medical facility should have folks on staff who can help locate what you need.

Post-lumbar surgery will likely be much more limiting than your cervical work.

The two surgeries: was one to put a cage on the anterior part of the lower spine, and the other to put connecting plates in your back for the other two vertebrae?

One of my neurosurgeons wants to do that, but I’m leery of having two surgeries to fix the problem with the possibility of infection. The other surgeon wants to do a minimally invasive approach. I’m assuming from the posterior and just using plates and screws; not a cage. I’m meeting with him in a week or so to get more details.

@gsgnfl - For me, the lumbar work was broken up into two distinct trips to the OR but just 48 hours apart. I remained in the hospital during that 48 hour period. One surgery was disk work and cage insertion. The second surgery was installing the plates needed to stabilize those vertebrae.

As I understood the two-surgery strategy, my lumbar work was extensive enough that they didn't want me to be under general anesthesia for as long as it would take to do all the work at one time. I was unconcerned about the risks of surgical infection.

Go to the surgeon armed with all your questions written down ahead of time. Google ideas as to useful questions if that might help. I believe it's helpful for someone to accompany you to be another set of ears.

My understanding is that minimally invasive options are usually only appropriate for "smaller" spine work. My four-level fusions could not be done MI, for example.

My surgery was L3-S1. Like you, I’ve had prior surgeries C2-T1. Knowing I had a long recovery, I arranged in advance for relatives & friends to come and help. If flying in, I offered to help with airfare. A week or so at a time will help. You may spend more time @ in-patient rehab if no one would be at home with you. Only you can decide if you can deal with what you have now, or power through recovery. After the epidural will buy you time to decide.

I had L2 S1 anterior and posterior fusion in July or 2023. 2 surgeries, 24 hours apart. The first 2 months were rough. Not a lot of pain per se but significant lack of strength and mobility. I walked every day and gradually felt like I was moving in the right direction. Hardest part was the brace and the discomfort. Early on it was hard to find a comfortable postion for sitting and sleeping etc. Followed doctors orders on restrictions etc and also got off the meds as quickly as possible. After 4 weeks use mainly as a sleep aid. I had unusual nerve pain in my feet and legs and they gradually went away. Once the obvious surgery pain diminished (1.5 month or so) I could focus more on getting back to normal. The amazing thing is all the pain I had in my back, legs and in particual my glute and hamstrings are 100% gone! I am still stiff when I stand up, I am about 75% of were I want to be on strength and working on my walking gate etc.
All in all a good recovery. I had sever compression to the point that my nerves and muscles were not communicating for years so it has been interesting to see the gradual reconnection and return to functionality. I can feel my feet again. Still working on strength and coordination but I am pretty happy where I am after year 1. Way better than the previous 4-5 years.
Hang in there!