My journey with a T11 to L4 spinal fusion - 40 degree scoliosis curve

Posted by sherrym25 @sherrym25, Nov 7, 2024

Hi, I am scheduled for an L4 to T11 spinal fusion for my 40 degree scoliosis curve on December 11 2024.

Looking for feedback or advice for recovery from anyone who has had a similar surgery!!

I very active, with an “almost” teenager, and I ride horses.

Thank you!!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Spine Health Support Group.

rwdixon4 | @rwdixon4 | Nov 28 12:28pm

In reply to @sherrym25 "@rwdixon4 hi Bob, mine was minimally invasive but it’s still pretty invasive. Open surgery allows the..." + (show)

@sherrym25 Hi Sherry,
I do remember that you told me your surgery was minimally invasive but it’s still pretty invasive! Also that Dr. McClendon wants to have more access because he has to make several corrections ! I just read karenoharmons post and so many of the things she said were what I needed to know and the advice she gave is priceless 👍These were my major take aways from her post ! ! !
Post-op pain has not been anywhere as bad as pre-op

youtube app for scoliosis surgery recovery videos, back surgery recovery videos by ot; EquipMeOT is really good! You can also search for your specific surgery!

Squats and lunges; getting up and down from a chair using my legs only; deep belly breaths

Would my life be better a year from now because I chose to have the surgery, or would it be worse because I did not?

The pain was making everything challenging for me.

I asked people that knew me. Not one person in my life thought I should continue suffering as I had been the last 12 years.

Post-op pain has not been anywhere as bad as pre-op.

It is definitely a time like this when you learn who your rock steady friends are. Some are not going to be able to handle the level of need you might require. They aren’t bad friends - just not the kind of friend that can help at the level you will need.

SOOOOOOOOOOOOO HELPFULL ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
💕😁
These are all posts you have inspired ~ You are a blessing ! ! ! Thank You for all you do 💕

Sincerely,
Bob

glassart | @glassart | Nov 28 2:53pm

In reply to @sherrym25 "@karenoharmon It makes me so happy that I was able to help!! Thank you for telling..." + (show)

@sherrym25

@karenoharmon It makes me so happy that I was able to help!! Thank you for telling me😊
Yes, I really am doing well and thank God every day for it!
I started physical therapy at around 3 months post op. I specifically asked for a therapist who had worked with spine surgery patients and it has been wonderful. She mostly does deeper muscle massage to help the muscles re-engage along with the new awful 🤣 skin rolling thing. I’m kidding…it’s not that bad and it sure helps.
I really don’t feel the hardware. I think of it as part of me now. I need it to feel better and it’s doing its job!
I like that you are working to think about something else when it bothers you.
The log rolling in bed should continue for a long time to keep you from twisting your back. I still do it and it has become so “normal” that I don’t even think about it. Just pretend that you have rods in your back that keep it straight….oh wait, you do😂 But seriously, for the first few months I slept on my back with a pillow under my knees. Then I started intermittently using the pillow and now I sleep normally on my back or on my side and I have those long body pillows that I hug and use between my knees when on my side. It really helps to keep my spine aligned and not hurt my hips.
It was probably around 7 or 8 months when I stopped feeling the little jolt of pain from stepping wrong off a curb or the bump and twist as the car went over a speed bump. I remember driving and thinking “what if I get in an accident? And what would it do to my back?” But I believe it’s important to be careful with the situations that I put myself in, while knowing that I can’t control everything.
It will get easier….I remember gauging my progress on a weekly timeline. And that was how I could see that it was getting better.
I didn’t go out in public a lot, and when I did, it wasn’t in busy places. I agree with your husband about someone accidentally knocking you down and it’s good to be on the safe side. I think you will know when you are ready to leave the walker at home. Your surgery is so recent that you just need more time to heal.
I do not wear a medical ID. But speaking as someone with medical experience, if you are in a position to need cpr, you don’t need to worry about your back. CPR will be done the same way, no matter what, to get you breathing and heart pumping again.
Yes my horses are full of energy and bored. At least it’s been rainy and cold so they are preferring to stand in the barn.
I will update on the results of my xray after I hear from my surgeon.
Healing from this kind of surgery is slooooowwww but I am getting close to feeling normal. Yay!!
Keep asking questions if you have them.😊
Wishing you the best,
Sherry

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@sherrym25 Hi! Thanks so much for your input! I'm a great log roller as I've recently had my right hip replaced as well as my right shoulder (reverse). Both knees done too! I'm pretty much bionic! I love this forum...so helpful! I have a very high pain tolerance (thank goodness) and I do listen to Doctors, Nurses, OT and PT's. I do daily exercises now and have no problem getting up from a chair without assistance! My surgeon also stated 6-12 months healing. He's great, at Ottawa Civic in Canada! Good luck in getting back with your horses!

kwright41175 | @kwright41175 | Nov 29 2:03am

In reply to @rwdixon4 "@karenoharmonHi thank you for sharing this. I am looking at a T2 to L4 "OPEN surgery"..." + (show)

@rwdixon4 Hi I think I have SMS you before. Mine was open surgery T4-S1. I was the same I couldn't stay the way I was either. I was to nervous I didn't think about it. I just wanted it done so I could stand up straight again and walk. I also had very little support. I live with my 82 year old mother. She can get around on her own and drive. I don't think she could've helped me in and out of bed etc. Which might have been a good thing as I had to do it myself. What I feel helped me was inpatient Rehab. Ask about it. I stayed a week I could've stayed 2-3 weeks. Stay until you feel comfortable going home. There really good PT works with and Occupational Therapy they show you how to do daily things, take a shower, get dressed, get in and out of bed etc. Try not to think about it being Open surgery. Just focus on being able to do things again. I know easier said. Also I was 58 when I had surgery. Wish you fast recovery. Update how you are.

kadeoh! | @karenoharmon | Nov 29 11:49am

In reply to @sherrym25 "@karenoharmon It makes me so happy that I was able to help!! Thank you for telling..." + (show)

@sherrym25

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@sherrym25 you’re the best!!! Thanks so much! Remind me your fusion? I’m encouraged by you immensely! I like the weekly timeline. I set weekly goals and at the end of the week assess how I’ve done and add to them or keep chipping away at them.

Driving? When were you clear to drive? Do you work outside the home? When did you start back and what capacity?

Thank you again for your advice! You are a goldmine(mind!)🫶🏼