@pooz I had similar surgery in 1990 but with stainless steel bars and screws. It took me a year or more to get back to normal so give yourself some time. Work with PT to help your recovery. Volteran gel is topical and does not become systemic and like you I cannot use NSAIDs drugs either. I only had the one surgery and at 73 I don’t plan on having more. I use THC/CBD tincture 3x daily approximately 25mg each. It helps to keep me away from my Percocet. I’m not certain what your issue with narcotic pain relief is but when you need it, it works. I had been on T&C #3 & 4 for a number of years, time release morphine after that and mow on buprenorphine patch which, provides 24/7 pain relief. Hope you find a combo that works for you.