Lumbar Spinal Fusion, Post-Op. Should I have these symptoms?

I found a really good PT but I had to research it carefully. The person I used had a doctorate in PT and she had training in an Australian method that may be different than what is common here in the US. It focused on daily exercises (about 45 minutes plus another 45 minutes of cardio on a bike), manual manipulation and myofascial release which really really helped the pain. I had to travel a little bit (50 minutes) but it was worth it. Luckily my husband was able to drive me because I was far too uncomfortable to drive in the beginning.

I tried another PT closer to home (the clinic came well-recommended) but he made me very uncomfortable. He spent a lot of time loosening my SI joint but that did not address post-surgery muscle spasms higher up in my back where the surgery area was. In fact, it made the spasms worse. There was no manual manipulation and myofascial release, just use of some machine that pulsed. It was not helpful. Look for a manual manipulation and myofascial release practitioner.

Unfortunately, I needed to pay out of pocket for some of my care because the insurance did not cover it 100% (the reimbursement was totally inconsistent, have no idea why) but I am very glad I went to that clinic. I believe that I learned how to care for my back, get stronger and live a fairly active life even having sustained a serious injury like I did. The best PTs are real healers and not mechanics. I would not count on a lot of help from your doctor(s), unfortunately. We are kind of on our own to forge a path to wellness after surgery.

I am so sorry that you are going through this. Take good care of yourself and please look around for a talented, knowledgeable PT.

As of yesterday, I am 8 weeks past T10 to L4 fusion. I know that I am improving a little each day, but I agree it is so slow and I can’t believe how much soreness and aching is involved with getting up from a chair or getting out of bed every single day.
I can tell that walking is helping. It stretches and strengthens the muscles as your body moves, and I can feel it when I let my arms swing a little.

Then doctors say some people can go to work in 6 weeks, I don’t know how. Even if they have a sedentary job. It’s been 8 weeks , I barely can turn my body, it’s really frustrating when it comes getting disability papers filled properly. I’m a nurse that work in a fast pace ER.

I got four opinions and found my prints and went through lumbar surgery, laminectomy, fusion, and everything else that was thrown in plus had a pulmonary embolism, which kept me in the hospital for two weeks! I wouldn’t take a second of it back. My recovery was grueling and I will say that postoperative pain and swelling can cause problems for the first six or seven weeks. I have had six invasive joint replacement surgeries and it’s all the same for me. I am a slow healer and it definitely takes me a couple months and I can get really depressed right at the end, but then things turn around. I want to encourage you to talk to your doctor and the triage nurse that helps the surgeon and to get into mental health therapy and take advantage of everything that’s available to you. I just had a double cervical spine surgery a year and a half ago and I am still healing from that. And on I go by the grace of God. I am a little concerned to hear about your foot drop after the surgery but if you had that before the surgery and your nerves were crushed to the point where you got the foot drop. Somebody waited too long to give you the surgery, which would’ve fixed that. I am six years out from my lumbar spine surgery and I’m still healing from that. You will need to take an active role in your therapy and healing. Take the medication so you can do the exercise exercises. Make sure to bug your surgeon and your surgeon’s office to get what you need. Squeaky wheel gets the oil good luck.

I had a ALIF of the L5/S1 and a TDR of the L4/L5.
I had it done in Aug 12th 2024, in just over the 6mths post op and I feel worse than I did before the operation.
My surgeon didn’t get me to see the his physiotherapist until 2 weeks later which was just a check up, it was 3 weeks before I even started any physiotherapy and it was more then basic, it was then a month before a post op review in which again didn’t tell me much at all. All I found out was there was a new disc bulge at the L3/L4 which was never there and indenting the thecal sac, a osteophyte that was note on scans months before the operation, stenosis narrowing at the L5/S1 and still bilateral compression of the nerves at the S1 with both facet joints behind each area over working and prior on the scans months before it was only at the L5 level.
I’m battling constant pain. Only just seen a pain specialist and left with questions why he didn’t get more scans that were up to date before the operation. Battling bowel and bladder problems. Chronic pain and nerve pain. I’m regretting getting this surgery and being told last time I seen him it’s because of the meds. Nothing about everything else. Been on nerve medication and opioids for 1y 9mths since the injury at work. Lost so much of my life in nearly 2YRS and feeling like I’m living in hell. Live a life of regret and not getting answers.

I'm 6 weeks after spinal fusion. Really had very little pain except I have been dealing with nerve pain in my leg. A lot of skin sensitivity and pain in my knee and ankle. Anyone ever have to deal with this after surgery

Good afternoon