Having L4-L5 Spinal Fusion - what to expect?

@ladyawarrior Hello. From your post, it sounds like you have been living with this pain for some time and are afraid of undergoing the fusion. I had a TLIF L4/5 fusion on May 29 of this year and I couldn’t be more pleased with the result. I had significant pain in my lower extremities when standing and walking for any extended period of time only getting relief while sitting. This was particularly problematic for me as I was a healthy and fit 75 year old who regularly engaged in some form of daily exercise. The surgery was a god sent because it took all of the pain away leaving slight numbness in my lower extremities which will likely resolve overtime. My recovery was also very easy. Within two weeks I was off of any pain medication which in my case was Tylenol. What I attribute the ease of my recovery to is, a healthy weight, five months of PT prior to surgery, and adhering to post operative instructions including the importance of daily walking not to mention that I was lucky to get a highly skilled surgeon.

Believe me, I was terrified of having to undergo a fusion but I really feel it gave me my life back as I am back to my daily exercise program pain free.

@northstar25
Thank you for sharing your experiences with your spinal fusion surgery. I have the same problem with the L4 slipping over the L5 vertebrae. and, coincidentally, I am also a 72-year-old female. I am scheduled for spinal fusion surgery in 5 weeks - an A-lif one day and surgery from the back the following day.

I have stenosis, Spondylolithesis, degenerative discs, scoliosis, arthritis and fibromyalgia.

I’m told my recovery may be especially painful because of the latter condition.

You’ve given me some hope because I have never had any kind of surgery and am terrified that this one might be excruciatingly painful and permanently debilitating.

I would love to ask you some questions if you wouldn’t mind, and yes, I’d love to know what surgeons you used.

Thanks, Carol

@caroljay Hi Carol,
I didn't have scoliosis or fibromyalgia, but the other conditions I did have. And I will always have some arthritis, but to be expected at my age. My surgery was done by Dr James Stokman at Cuyuna Regional Medical Center in Crosby MN. About 25 mi from my house, 2.5 hr north of Mpls. Great surgeon! It was an ALIF procedure, so actually the other surgeon for the abdominal part was Dr Evan Kelly (also at same facility). They did my surgery in one day. About 6 hrs. So much better after the surgery!! Ice packs were my best friends after surgery, plus I did 2 oxycodones per day---1 in the morning & one before bedtime. You can private message me on Connect with any other questions. Don't worry, you'll be fine!😉😊

@northstar25 - just wanted to let you know that for your own privacy and security, I removed your personal email and replaced it with "private message me on Connect."

Click on the little envelope icon in the upper right corner of any page to begin a private message or to check messages others may have sent you on the site.

@lisalucier

Hi Lisa,

I do not see an envelope icon on any page. I have a macbook; would that make a difference?

Thanks,

Carol

@caroljay - here's another way to private message someone that may work for you, from the Mayo Clinic Connect Help Center https://connect.mayoclinic.org/help-center/:

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My pain is in my right thigh area...I had a Laminectomy on my L4-L5 about 7 years ago. The pain this go round is much different than it was for my first procedure. My doctor is saying that the Spinal Fusion is necessary this time. Has anyone experienced the pain in the thigh area when walking or just standing for more than about 10 minutes? Pain is EXCRUCIATING! Any words of encouragement or experiences with the Fusion surgery are appreciated!

@albertlc13 Yes, the pain in the front of the thigh is so painful . I can barely walk as well as sleep. I am going for a consult with surgeon on 10/27. My pain doc says I need surgery,

@lesliek808 - do you and your primary care doctor have a plan for how you can get some sleep leading up to your surgical consult and possible surgery?