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Doctor recommended l4-5, l5-s1 fusion. What'll my life be like?
Spine Health | Last Active: 3 hours ago | Replies (35)Comment receiving replies
I had a laminectomy at L4L5 February 2026. I did not rest because Mom died suddenly and i did not take it easy and now have a protruding disc at L4L5 protruding to the right which is causing hip pain after walking for a while. Numbness and tingling in right leg and foot. Dr. Wants to fuse L4L5S1 and remove disc but I'm afraid. Im not strong physicially and emotionally not good. Since my hip pain is low and comes late in the day, I want to cancel the surgery. Any thoughts?
Replies to "I had a laminectomy at L4L5 February 2026. I did not rest because Mom died suddenly..."
@drichards1567
drichards1567, sorry about the loss of your Mom.
You might delay the surgery.
@drichards1567 if your pain is low, my thought is you may not even need surgery, which is a good thing. It may get better on its own. Sorry to hear about your mom.
@drichards1567
Here is probably the best article I have ever seen explaining fusions. Its a long read but may be useful to you. Good luck
https://tinyurl.com/4br244ps
@drichards1567
This is encouraging but I have a few questions. Was your pain in your legs or back is the first question. Second how long did you have stenosis or what was the reason for the surgery? Why do you say find a neurosurgeon instead of just an orthopedic surgeon because even at HSS in New York where I live which is supposed to be one of the best spine centers in the world mainly has orthopedic surgeons. In fact I don't think they have neurosurgeons. Can I ask where you did your surgery and with whom and also did you have pain in your legs after you walked. Thank you
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If you're tolerating it I'd wait until it was intolerable.