@chefguy23 ,
Welcome to Mayo Connect. I am going to tag @jenniferhunter who is very familiar with spine surgery and may be able to point you other discussions by members in similar situations.

Hi- welcome to the group. I had the same fusion, plus a fix to spondylothesis during the surgery. The best thing I ever did was go to PT, faithfully do the Home Exercise Program, return yearly for a PT update, and continue to do the home program. PT has been very helpful in education about “pain pathways” , which has really helped me manage pain.
If it’s been awhile, I really recommend asking your PCP for a referral. If the pain is new or feels different, your PCP may order tests in case something new has happened. Wishing you the best.

@chefguy23 Lumbar spine surgery can be a difficult recovery as I'm told. My spine surgery was cervical. What does help is to stretch out the scar tissue that gets tight with therapy called myofascial release. We all have tight muscles, and surgical scar tissue just adds to that.

Neuropathy - "Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR) for treating compression and pain"
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/
There is a provider search at http://mfrtherapists.com/

The other issues that can mimic spine problems are muscle issues with connections between the spine and pelvis. Here is a link to a technical article that explains. This is something a physical therapist can help with.

"How to identify and treat lumbar plexus compression syndrome (LPCS)"
Posted on March 30, 2017 by Kjetil Larsen
https://mskneurology.com/identify-treat-lumbar-plexus-compression-syndrome-lpcs/

@chefguy23 welcome to the group you chose a great place to come to learn a lot from others and share your story for others to learn! I’ll try to shorten my story up I had an L4 -S1 fusion April 17 2023 L5 was loose. 3 weeks later I was twisted then the next week the PA said I could lift up to 25lb, bend, and twist. Wish I had it in writing because I came home and bent down to dry my lower legs and there was a burning that never improved! After being told there’s nothing wrong get a stimulator my physiatrist agreed with me and sent me to 3 other Neurosurgeons who done no additional testing said do a stimulator finally he referred me to Mayo in Nov 2024 after going there and getting a CT Scan I was told there’s a loose screw but leave it alone and get a stimulator. I just had the permanent stimulator put in last Tuesday it was great 95% pain free until I accidentally was feeling great and bent to far now the pain is back. All my symptoms: felt like fireworks in my legs I didn’t know which nerve was going to be triggered, it messed up my pelvic( I can rub the pelvic and the pain goes to the testicles but without getting me out of the wheelchair and checking me I was told I don’t have that) my pelvic was so sensitive I couldn’t sleep in bed for 8 months until I got the stimulator. Vibration of the Bass in church on the wood floor would trigger the nerves from the tailbone around my hip to the outside of my thigh or to the groin or the inner thigh ( that I’ve read is danger zone once again not checking me said no you don’t have that either ) . I do water walking I can’t walk backwards or sideways without pain, if I try pelvic squats in the water my back pops every move. I have spinal stenosis, was fused at L3-L4 in 2002. Ice packs help, I can’t advise medicine because I’m on so many I’m not sure what’s really helping what! I had to go thru pelvic therapy which was very helpful! I went from working overtime as a pipefitter to be being a disabled 52 year old holding down a recliner.