Disk replacement & spinal fusion (L4-L5): Post-op concerns

Hi, I am MikeBR a 68 year old male, who was in a bad car wreck well really 2 bad ones about 2 yr’s apart. My cervical was messed up but in the 70’s & up till now, I have been told about 50% chance of being wheelchair bound, so I just put up with the headaches, dizziness. Then when Fibromyalgia hit me after right shoulder surgery in 1992 the company I worked for was truly helpful. The company Doc had me on Eli it 2mg for 3 years and that kept the trigger and tender points at bay but that came to a end and I saw all kinds of Doctors, specialist, VA Doc’s just way to many to say and so many epidermal injections and also trigger and tender point injections. Anyway after about 5 years trying to stay working but I think I was on family medical leave act than I was at work. Finally they being the company I was employed with said it was time to get on disability so I did. Then Mom who was in Florida with Dad, well she fell and broke her hip, she was just about 80 and so was Dad and he couldn’t pick her up anymore. So me my wife and son all came from Indiana to help. At that time all I could do is do a little yard work, wife did almost everything except pick her up and our son did that. Well we were here when Hurricane Charlie hit I was in yard trying to pick up limbs, this was 8/13/2004 (Friday) anyway I had one of my dizzy spells fell and broke my right for arm and broke a congenital bone fuse at the bottom of lumbar and after the first few weeks the lower back pain eased up, so I thought all would be OK except the neck trouble. Anyway in 2018 the pain in the lumbar area, especially the sciatica in the right but cheek, then down the right leg, so I started getting more epidural shots with no help and just made Fibro madder. After a 1 1/2 of trying to find a Doctor that could kill the sciatica nerve. I though I had heard that could be done and again Doctor after Doctor, no help with pain except some pain pills. Finally I found a pain Doc who was referred by my primary and he started telling me where the pain was and what helped, like pushing a grocery cart and what helped the most was my Father’s 4 wheel walker with seat and hand breaks, now that thing helps the most. The pain Doctor told me that before I told him what helped and what didn’t, now he did go by MRI’s. He started by doing facet join injection, never had a Dr even mention that before, so I thought he was the one. The relief helped for about 5 to 10 days then came right back. After a few nerve blocks that only lasted a few days he said he thought a spacer between L4 & L5 would fix the extramarital pain in butt check and the burning in shin also the burning in toes on both feet(not all way burning toes) right toes go numb often not to uncomfortable except for the sheet on bed bothers it But the pain in the right shine burns like fire. Well I am a USAF vet and was talking with her and she mentioned that some people loved the response and others said it made worse. I know this was way to long in getting to the point as to ask has anybody had this done or know of somebody that had had a spacer between two disk. The only reason that this surgery hasn’t already happened is the supplemental insurance with Medicare. Also this virus has stopped surgeries here in the southwest part of Florida. Aetna insurance is being real hard to work with this year even trying to get prescriptions, that is new ones, just same problem just different name or Pharmaceutical company. We have been using this supplement for a few years now but boy did things take a turn for the worst. Anyway if anybody has knowledge about this kind of surgery. After the surgery of right shoulder and then the Fibromyalgia showed it’s ugly face, I swore no more surgery but this pain and especially shin area. I can’t put my right foot on gas or break peddle for very long, cruise control helps a lot but in town you don’t get to use that very often. I love to drive and our dream is to travel across and see more of this beautifully country We even bought a RV last fall and that was when the pain in shin got so much worse, use to be ot the right side of shin now right center shin.

Well sure am sorry for you and makes me wonder if I should have the spacer between L4 & L5. Hope you get better soon. You know it is such a shame that people need to have the edge taken off the pain but Doctors are too afraid to prescribe pain meds.

Hi user_ chf from Georgia from Australia. Had spinal L4-5 and Sacroiliac pain 10/10--that means you are simply stopped and can't move. Medicos call it "excruciating pain". If it is that -- ask your Nephrologist (kidney guy) "what is the upper level of pain meds (name) can I take per day , that will not mess with my kidneys" Most important !!
He will give you the meds and levels. How to taper on and taper off use also. Then you can "go for it". I was able to totally stop the 10/10 pain the entire day and night with his recommended meds -- with confidence - for four months. Having now, Radio Frequency Ablation operation. RFA. Minimally invasive for the elderly. Yes.

Hi again user_chf from Georgia from Australia. Yes, dizzy. I was dizzy a lot on pain killers. Take care..when you stop it will go away!!

Hello @efgh1020 - I thought I would reply to your private message in this discussion - Disk replacement & spinal fusion (L4-L5): Post-op concerns - so that you could meet @mikebr, @australia and other members with similar conditions. You mentioned in your private message that you had spinal fusion surgery of L3-L5 to relieve compression of the right femoral nerve caused by stenosis.

You may also find the following discussions helpful:
-- What are people's experiences with spinal fusion surgery?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/spinal-fusion-2/
-- Spondylolisthesis: Spinal Fusion at L-4-L5: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/spinal-fusion-at-l-4-l5-due-to-spondylolisthesis/
-- Spinal Fusion: Upcoming surgery, what was your experience, any tips?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/new-2/
-- Low Back Pain May Be Sacroiliac Joint Inflammation, Special Treatment: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/low-back-pain-may-be-sacroiliac-joint-inflammation-needing-special-treatment-the/

If I read correctly, you mentioned in your first post you were doing physical therapy exercises to maintain your mobility and were seeking information on a diagnosis so that your occupational therapists can provide a treatment plan. Is this correct?

No, I'm already going on recommendations from my surgeon and occ.therapsts at hospital.

I had L3-4-5 and S1 fused. I used a walker around the house for the first 2 weeks, then my cane. (which I used before surgery.) By a month I was walking on the tread-mill or outside for 10-15 minutes at a time. I returned to using my Nordic poles by week 5 or so, and they allow me to walk up to 30 minutes. I'm wondering how much I need to be using my back brace at 8 weeks- I use it if I'm doing a more rigorous activity, such as light house work, walking longer periods, or starting to feel achy and tired. What have other people been advised regarding brace use? I'm starting to reduce my meds, although ' I'm still waiting for my doctor's advice on this. I'm also returning to a physio therapist- as this was minimally provided in hospital

I highly recommend you listen to your PT and surgeon regarding increasing activity. You don't want to mess up any repair work performed so use the professionals.

I will have soon L4-L5 fusion with a disk cage. I was told I will be hospitalized for about 5-7 days. By your personal experiece, do you think I will be able to take care of myself as soon as I get back home, as I live by myself? Or should I find a friend to live with me for a few days? Thanks a lot for your suggestions!

I was only in the hospital for 48 hours; healing is slow, make sure you have a physical therapy setup before the surgery so you have someone to work with day one! PT matters work hard walk allot. I have went through 9 back surgeries and still walking!