Laminectomy with fusions

I suggest you find out from an "expert" neurosurgeon , or your own, exactly why fusion is required. Find out exactly what pain or pains it will be relieving and how the surgery will accomplish that relief. If he or she has detailed replies, ask about your doctor's experience and success rate with spinal fusion.
Also, inquire about PT as soon as you are able to keep your core strong. Too many doctors are operating under the add hardware system and keeping patients in the dark about their standard protocols for "curing all back pain." Ask a lot of questions about what physical therapy you can do to avoid surgery - not steroid shots which can cause arachnoiditis. The best of luck!

Hello @crockett, thank you for sharing a bit about your concerns and what to expect regarding your back surgery.

You may want to read through some of the following discussion that took place early 2016 on spinal fusions. While the types of fusions vary, you may find some helpful information in the discussion:
- Spinal fusion of L1-4 and managing pain. What works for you? http://mayocl.in/2bbREQi

Crockett, has the surgery been scheduled or has it just been recommended?

Hello @crockett Nice to e-meet you here. I had a similar fusion and laminectomy, plus my wife had far more extensive spinal surgery. I am basing my comments only on my personal experience as I am not any kind of medical professional.

First I would say spine surgery is unique to each individual. What mine entailed, while at the same location might well have been far different than what you will experience. My surgery was scheduled for out-patient, but they decided to keep me overnight as it went longer than scheduled. My immediate info was no lifting nor driving. I was given an Rx for two months of PT outpatient and then take home exercises.

After the post surgery pain, I did get wonderful relief from the sciatic pain in my legs, which had made laying down impossible. It remained that way for almost 10 years until the physical labors of caregiving caused the benefits of my surgery to fail.

Peace and courage

Hello @red3, how are you doing with the pain in your legs and feet at night from your spinal fusion? Has it improved at all?

@charlena, has your swelling got any better with time?

After my husband finished the erbapenem the swelling in his legs subsided. I think that more than proves it was the erbapenem causing the swelling. He still has pain in his knee and leg from top of leg down through the knee and into the lower leg. Physical therapist advises due to twisted nerves....

Hello, yes it has improved. My legs still have a stiff, fatigued feeling though. I was very active (walking & yoga) before the surgery so my body is feeling the lack of activity, though I am still walking sometimes twice a day. I am 7 weeks out from the surgery and able to do a bit more every week. I am taking one extra strength Tylenol twice a day and icing 3-4 times a day in the recliner. The pain and referral before the surgery seems to be gone but I still have a fair amount of post surgical pain.

@JustinMcClanahan, thanks for asking. It has improved though I still feel a deep fatigue in both legs and feet. I enjoyed stretching/yoga on a daily basis before the surgery and because of the restrictions I'm not doing it. Could be my body rebelling against this but also my nerves are probably still irritated from the surgery? I'm about 8 weeks out so I'm not sure.

My husband is 4 months out & still has deep fatigue in legs/hips/feet. Also nerves still painful. PT advises nerve is "bunched up"....

Charlena, good to know of your husbands experience. I look forward to starting P.T. but I need to be PATIENT.

I think it was about 4-5 weeks after when he started PT. I'm not sure it's doing anything other than possibly strengthening his back.