T10 to pelvis fusion

Hi Jwgard,
I am 5 month post T10 to Pelvis fusion, but my back is a little different as I was previously fused from T2 to L2 due to idiopathic (childhood) scoliosis.

I was in chronic back pain prior to my May back surgery. Post-surgery, my chronic pain was gone. However, I did initially have pain at my surgical site, and also early on, I went through a weird 1-2 weeks of having hypersentivity nerve pain in my back.

With my being 67, it will take 1 1/2 to 2 years post surgery for my back to completely fuse so sports are not in the picture for awhile. I can see kayaking as a possibility, in the future, but not golf or racket ball for me. These are questions, I would ask your doctor.

Post-surgery, my quality of life has improved immensely. Now, I am looking forward to extensive traveling.

Best Wishes!
Nadine

Hi Nadine,

I’m scheduled to get pelvis to T10 / fusion in January by Dr. Sebastian. I’m worried now that I read you’ll need 1.5-2 years to heal completely. I’m 62. I’m in good physical shape but have diabetes and CKD. I know I can’t keep living bent over, but I hate the thought of using 2 of my 5-8 years (?) of life healing. What more can you share? Your doctor’s name? Any more wore positive things to share, like your chronic pain is gone, that’s great!
Dr. Sebastian said I should be riding motorcycles and horses in a year.
I would like to hear all about your post surgery experience.
Thank you, Jack

I'm looking at T2 to L5 open surgery due to scoliosis curve. How bad is post surgery pain on a 1 to 10 scale ?

@rwdixon4
I imagine everyone is different.
While in the hospital (6 nights), I experienced pain but I don't remember it! Unfortunately, I had an ileus due to the pain medications and an electrolyte imbalance (due to 2 days of sugery --2 hours on day 1 and 11 hours on day 2). Because of the ileus, I had to go off the opioids for a few days, and was just on Tylenol, Baclofen, topical agents, ice, heat, and meditation. My husband said I was 10/10 pain levels--but I don't remember it!! Amazing how the mind works. Once my bowels started moving again, I was placed on low dose oxy along the other treatments described above and my pain was well managed.

During inpatient rehab ( 10 nights), I tapered off the oxy, and by the time I left, I was only taking Tylenol daily. I requested an Oxycodone refill for breakthrough, and only took 3 of the pills after my stay in the Impatient Rehab facility. Pain levels were very low at the time I was discharged-- probably a 1-3 at the surgical site, and that weird hypersentivity, in my back for 1 -2 weeks where I would have a flash of intense pain for a few seconds and it would disappear. Pain 8-10).This only happened when I was laying in bed and my husband either layed down causing the mattress to slightly move or he pulled the sheet. Thankfully, the hypersentivity disappeared as quickly as it came!

I have continued to take Tylenol and I do take other drugs to help with a residual radicular issue with my right leg. The nerves are no longer pinched and the hope is that, with time, the issue will disappear as it continues to improve.
As a side note, I highly recommend inpatient rehab as I had 3 hours of therapy every day-- split between physical therapy and occupational therapy.

Don't let any of this scare you. My chronic pain was immediate gone, The surgical pain did not last very long. I don't have pain now, but at times I feel like my back feels likes it needs to relax and I either use ice heat a few times a day and I still watch how long I sit.

Best Wishes!
Nadine

@jksawyers
Hi Jack,
I am glad that you are seeing a Mayo surgeon. My doc was Jeremy Fogelson, a neurosurgeon at Mayo Rochester.

Everyone's back is different and healing time will vary. I had a T2 to L2 spinal fusion due to Scoliosis at the age of 19. At the time of my May 2025 surgeries, my back had many problems-- DDD, Stenosis, pinched nerves, lateral listhesis, spondylolosthesis, herniated disc, Bertolotti's, Tarlov Cysts, etc. The day before my spinal surgery, I had bi-lateral Sacroilliac Joint Fusions due to arthritis in the joints.

As far as the healing time, I imagine that as time goes by, I will be able to do more and more. I will learn more when I have my 6 month follow-up next month.

At this time, I am walking 2 miles a day, enjoy the beach and social outings. Life is really good compared to pre-surgery.
I have the BLT restrictions--no bending, lifting, or twisting. As far as bending, PT will teach you how to bend at your hips. Standing and walking are no problem, but I am not walking really fast-- my right calf numbness and occasional tingling slows me down. (The right leg issue was there before my surgery and will hopefully go away with time as my nerves are no longer pinched,)
I do have to watch how long I sit and use a goose down pillow behind my back. As days go by, I am sitting longer and longer durations--up to 45 minutes depending on the chair and situation.

Jack, after your surgery and hospital stay, I highly recommend Mayo's Inpatient Rehab Center, in the Generose Building. I believe their care and therapy really propelled my recovery. ( 3 hours of daily therapy split between physical therapy and occupational therapy, You will also have a team guiding your recovery there.

I suggest you let your surgeon know that you want the inpatient rehab. He may state that you need to request it in the hospital and that it will be determined there based upon your needs.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Best Wishes!
Nadine