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What are people's experiences with spinal fusion surgery?
Spine Health | Last Active: Feb 15 7:50am | Replies (174)Comment receiving replies
You're a few weeks ahead of me in recovery but I feel your pain and have been experiencing all the effects you've been experiencing. I firmly believe there's no exact roadmap to spinal surgery recovery. There are too many variables to permit an exact recovery timetable: (1) Different extent of surgery, (2) Different levels of pre-surgical physical condition, (3) Differing skill level of surgeons, and so on...I strive to experience some regular level of progress during recovery without focusing on exactly where I am in the recovery process. Have you been keeping a diary? I have since my cervical work in Feb. It really helps me gain perspective to re-read older entries to appreciate the progress I've actually made. Keep positive and future-focused. Best of luck!!!
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PS - Yes, I kept a diary. I wanted to know how well the pain meds were working and at the same time, keep track of what I had taken and when I took it, during the first two weeks when I slept so much I lost track of time.
Peggy
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Thanks. Yes, I'm sure everyone is different. My surgeon said he was operating on me for 3 hours, it was long and deep and going around bones and inside of bones. I'm in good physical shape, go to the gym every day, walk on the beach every day - the people in the hospital noticed my fitness and said it would help me. I know it helped me post surgery - I used my quads to get in and out of chairs for example. Some people opt for a second surgery to take the screws out after the bones have knit together (I don't know whether the metal box can be removed or not). I will just keep my titanium screws rather than have my back opened up again.
Peggy