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23 year old s/p Posterior Spinal Fusion

Posted by user1150 @mmumman, 5 days ago

Hi there. I am a 23 year old who is almost 8 months s/p PSF from T2-L4. I had a 43 degree left thoracolumbar curve and kyphosis. Although I am grateful to have had my care be facilitated by people I trust and look up to, I have recently been struggling. I feel that I am in constant pain but I don't know if it's because I am reminding myself that I have two rods in my back or if it is genuine pain. I also experience nerve pain in my shoulder blades very frequently, quite similar to the feeling of a bee sting. Although I have gone back to majority of activity, I still feel like I am not myself and I am starting to lose hope that I will feel normal again. I am also losing hope that I will ever truly love my body. I don't feel that I have anyone who understands where I am coming from whenever I do open up about my experience. I am wondering if any one has any advice they can provide me since majority of the people I know that have had PSF were either very young (10-13) or middle aged (40-50). I am open to any and all kinds of discussion. Thank you so much!

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gilkesl | @gilkesl | 5 days ago

The best thing you can do is a round of physical therapy so you can be shown long term exercises. It would be wise to tell the surgeon about the bee stings.

REPLY
sherrym25 | @sherrym25 | 5 days ago

@mmumman Hi there, my scoliosis was very similar to yours except that is was more in my lumbar. I am 4 1/2 months post fusion from L4 to T11. My original scoliosis pain is completely gone but I am still dealing with a lot of surgery caused pain.
I agree with @gilkesl about the physical therapy. I had my initial appointment yesterday with a PT who is experienced with back issues and although we spent most of the appt talking about the past and present situation with my back, she gave me an exercise to work on to help the nerves in my back (learn) how to feel normal. I have numbness and sharp tingling pain across my lumbar area where the surgeon had to cut through nerves.
I’m really looking forward to my next appointment where she is going to give me some exercises to loosen up my back and strengthen my core. My back muscles are still extremely tight and it feels like a hard flat mass on both sides. She said we will use massage and exercise to loosen it up and hopefully it will reduce pain.

Are you feeling anything like this?
Where is it that you are feeling your constant pain?

Have you been through PT?

Even though I did a lot of research before my surgery, I was not mentally prepared for how slow the healing process would be, especially in the lumbar area.
You are about three months ahead of me with the healing process and I’m looking forward to returning to most of my normal activities like you have.
Wishing you the best,
Sherry🙏

REPLY
1 reply
nlback22 | @nlback22 | 5 days ago

Hi,
I was 19 when I had my Spinal Fusion T2 to L2. It is difficult on an emotional level, but you will get through it.

At the time I had my fusion, they placed me in a cast for 10 months. That was the most difficult time and was the biggest disruption to life as I knew it.

After that initial period, my spinal fusion never impacted my social life nor did I ever have as any problems dating. You will get to a point where you will forget about your spine surgery. (But you must follow the guidelines your doctor recommends as it relates to activities.)I remember dressing in a locker room once and someone asked, "what happened to you," and I had no idea what she was talking about.

Throughout your life, you will get a ton of compliments about your posture
You are just 8 month post op so some of the pain and nerve related issues will probably go away. But, if you haven't done so already, be certain to let your doctor know about the pain and nerve sensations.

Things will get better! I have no regrets about my spinal surgery and I never had any problems with that part of my back.
As gikes1 suggests physical therapy is key to your recovery and you should be doing the exercises you learn in therapy throughout your life.
Best Wishes!
Nadine

REPLY
1 reply
user1150 | @mmumman | 4 days ago
In reply to @sherrym25 "@mmumman Hi there, my scoliosis was very similar to yours except that is was more in..." + (show)
@sherrym25

@mmumman Hi there, my scoliosis was very similar to yours except that is was more in my lumbar. I am 4 1/2 months post fusion from L4 to T11. My original scoliosis pain is completely gone but I am still dealing with a lot of surgery caused pain.
I agree with @gilkesl about the physical therapy. I had my initial appointment yesterday with a PT who is experienced with back issues and although we spent most of the appt talking about the past and present situation with my back, she gave me an exercise to work on to help the nerves in my back (learn) how to feel normal. I have numbness and sharp tingling pain across my lumbar area where the surgeon had to cut through nerves.
I’m really looking forward to my next appointment where she is going to give me some exercises to loosen up my back and strengthen my core. My back muscles are still extremely tight and it feels like a hard flat mass on both sides. She said we will use massage and exercise to loosen it up and hopefully it will reduce pain.

Are you feeling anything like this?
Where is it that you are feeling your constant pain?

Have you been through PT?

Even though I did a lot of research before my surgery, I was not mentally prepared for how slow the healing process would be, especially in the lumbar area.
You are about three months ahead of me with the healing process and I’m looking forward to returning to most of my normal activities like you have.
Wishing you the best,
Sherry🙏

Jump to this post

Hi Sherry! Thank you for sharing your story with me. I have trialed PT and I am currently in it now. Although it helps, I don't have consistent relief. But I relate to the sensation of having a hard flat mass on both sides! I do feel that my pain comes and goes, but recently it has increased in consistency. I wish you the best in your recovery as well!

REPLY
1 reply
user1150 | @mmumman | 4 days ago
In reply to @nlback22 "Hi, I was 19 when I had my Spinal Fusion T2 to L2. It is difficult..." + (show)
@nlback22

Hi,
I was 19 when I had my Spinal Fusion T2 to L2. It is difficult on an emotional level, but you will get through it.

At the time I had my fusion, they placed me in a cast for 10 months. That was the most difficult time and was the biggest disruption to life as I knew it.

After that initial period, my spinal fusion never impacted my social life nor did I ever have as any problems dating. You will get to a point where you will forget about your spine surgery. (But you must follow the guidelines your doctor recommends as it relates to activities.)I remember dressing in a locker room once and someone asked, "what happened to you," and I had no idea what she was talking about.

Throughout your life, you will get a ton of compliments about your posture
You are just 8 month post op so some of the pain and nerve related issues will probably go away. But, if you haven't done so already, be certain to let your doctor know about the pain and nerve sensations.

Things will get better! I have no regrets about my spinal surgery and I never had any problems with that part of my back.
As gikes1 suggests physical therapy is key to your recovery and you should be doing the exercises you learn in therapy throughout your life.
Best Wishes!
Nadine

Jump to this post

Hi Nadine!
Thank you for your insight. It is so hard to feel that way right now but it is comforting to know there will be a day I don't remember that I have two rods in my back. Thank you again so much for your comment and I wish you the best!

REPLY
1 reply
nlback22 | @nlback22 | 3 days ago
In reply to @mmumman "Hi Nadine! Thank you for your insight. It is so hard to feel that way right..." + (show)
@mmumman

Hi Nadine!
Thank you for your insight. It is so hard to feel that way right now but it is comforting to know there will be a day I don't remember that I have two rods in my back. Thank you again so much for your comment and I wish you the best!

Jump to this post

You're welcome.
Best wishes for your recovery!🙏

REPLY
sherrym25 | @sherrym25 | 3 days ago
In reply to @mmumman "Hi Sherry! Thank you for sharing your story with me. I have trialed PT and I..." + (show)
@mmumman

Hi Sherry! Thank you for sharing your story with me. I have trialed PT and I am currently in it now. Although it helps, I don't have consistent relief. But I relate to the sensation of having a hard flat mass on both sides! I do feel that my pain comes and goes, but recently it has increased in consistency. I wish you the best in your recovery as well!

Jump to this post

I look forward to hearing how you heal! This is unknown territory for me and it really helps me to hear what others are going through as I heal. I also want to thank you so much for sharing!! 😊

REPLY
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