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Has anyone dealt with Post Lumbar Fusion chronic pain?
Bones, Joints & Muscles | Last Active: Mar 7 9:44am | Replies (16)Comment receiving replies
@heyjoe415
My surgeon has said it takes 6 months to a year to heal. It is unusual that I am having so much pain still. I have been doing all that you mentioned; Ice, PT (core exercises +) and NSAIDs. I am prone to inflammation. It is just very frustrating when the progress is so so slow. Everything I read talks about feeling much better after 3 months. I am wondering if others have had this experience and if it turned out ok. That would give me hope!
Thanks for the reply!
Replies to "@heyjoe415 My surgeon has said it takes 6 months to a year to heal. It is..."
@1christopher
Dont dispare as there is hope. I had two surgeries. The first was a L5-S1 fusion where post operative recovery was easy but after about a year the pain came back, so I had another surgery to fuse L4 to L5. That recovery took a bit longer... about 3 months, BUT after that I was back to all my normal activities. There is HOPE
Hi Christopher,
I see two people with experience with fusion surgery have replied. I hope their comments helped you. Stick with what you're doing, some people heal more slowly.
I truly hope your pain ends soon. Again I haven't had this surgery. But I've noticed that some people experience pain for a while, longer than joint replacement surgery.
Stay strong and please let us know how you progress.
All the best to you, friend.
Joe
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@1christopher This is accurate. Unfortunately. And I share your pain. I've had lumbar fusion - still have herniated discs (that are being ignored) with constant low back, bilateral hip pain and pain down my right leg that almost causes me to fall constantly. I also have had multiple cervical fusions, the last being C2-6, causing new post-op C6 radiculopathy and shooting / electric shock pain down my left arm. Also being ignored. I couldn't even get a second opinion because, apparently, the "gold standard" in ortho spine surgery is "one year". They think miraculously everything will just heal.
But. Ice, PT - and do your exercises at home! I know it's frustrating now but not everyone is messed up like me! 🙂 Also, Biofreeze Ultra flex lidocaine patches (in my opinion) are the best on the market right now and work wonderfully! Feel better!!