Lower back pain four months from laminectomy and L4/5 fusion.

Posted by downhillmarg @downhillmarg, 3 days ago

I am having, at times, severe lower back pain four months after a laminectomy and L4/5 fusion. I try to stretch, which does help, but it is sometimes hard to move without any pain. I am in PT and am looking at a trainer to help with strengthening core. Anyone have some suggestions? Anyone had this problem after surgery?

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gravity3 | @gravity3 | 3 days ago

What does your surgeon have to say?

sbcarcht | @sbcarcht | 3 days ago

I have severe L4/5 spinal stenosis but have avoided surgery by learning the Gokhale Primal Posture method. Perhaps learning new posture techniques would still help reduce pain?

1christopher | @1christopher | 1 day ago

After 5 months since having L4 - S1 fusion/laminectomy I am still having lwr back pain as well as extreme nerve pain in both legs. I have been going to PT since end of Dec. I am slowly getting better, but it is very slow. Some days I will feel like I am much better only to relapse after being active (walking, squatting, cooking, etc) for a few hours. I am hoping it will just take more time. All of my doctors say so.
I think you will feel better after PT and time.

peterpaul | @peterpaul | 23 hours ago

RE: L4 - L5 Fusion
I had a L4 - L5 Fusion over 30 years ago. I was a "very active" carpenter and I really
never slowed down ( I loved my work). After a year of rehab and walking every day,
I went back to work with little or no PAIN. I am now 80 years old and I am still doing
carpentry (but a little less aggressively). Approximately a year ago I had two discs above
the L4 FUSED, because of some returned "discomfort"- another great success. This surgery
was with plates and screws instead of two rods and bolts.
Good luck to all - remember to walk daily.
PeterPaul

jenatsky | @jenatsky | 22 hours ago

You don’t say why you had the fusion and laminectomy and whether it was traumatic or chronic. If you’ve had a long term problem that you’ve finally taken care of I wouldn’t expect to feel perfect until a year post surgery maybe. Lots of things get cut and fusion surgery is essentially traumatic to your spine to give yourself some grace to heal and don’t rush it. I had my same surgery in 1988 with stainless steel hardware. Be thankful you’ve got titanium.