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Doc recommends spinal fusion from T12 - S1.

Posted by sassytwo @sassytwo, Dec 2, 2023

66 year old female Considering spinal fusion from T12 - S1 for pain standing and walking. Has anyone had this full lumbar fusion? I am concerned for permanent restrictions or loss of mobility post surgery.

I am active and very social. Looking for what I can expect for future life mobility restrictions as I weigh whether to move forward with this surgery. I would like to hear about your post surgery experiences as I weigh my decision, understanding healing is a very individual experience.

I believe I am at the tipping point and am moving towards surgery, if I can live with the restrictions and if I will be able to acclimate to my body new abilities and be active WITHOUT pain.

Prior Micro discectomy L2 - L3 in 2015.

Pain again about 2018 and has progressed to not being able to stand more than 20-30 minutes nor walk more than a mile. Significant pain when I do either of these things....cooking....walking to an event....putting on make up.

Once I sit, fortunately the pain lessens and eventually goes away. I can sit hours mostly pain free and laying down and sleep without pain.

I had to use a wheel chair to tour a museum with friends and find I am not doing things I want to do to avoid hurting which indicated to me that I should stop kicking the can down the road and consider more surgery.

I was surprised with this full lumbar fusion recommendation and did not realize how restrictive my life will be permanently. I am confident in my surgeon and do not feel pressure to move forward with surgery.

I bicycle 60 miles a week pain free (sitting) and it is my go to escape and exercise. I will be most unhappy if I am not able to bike. Anyone a biker

I am a massage therapist and I have stepped away from work except one worksite client. I golf and exercise and am social. Travel and site seeing is painful, but I do it anyway.

Any new treatments on the horizon? Concerns if I wait to have surgery?

My MRI reports.
1. Progressive moderate levorotoscscoliosis centered at L2, which measures 30 degrees and previously 18 degrees in 2015.
2. Progressive degenerative disc disease in the right half of L2/L3 disc space.
3.At L2/L3, previously noted right parcentral/posterolateral disc herniation has been relaced with moderate-sized osteophytic bone ridge which narrows the right lateral recess and results in mild to moderate right foraminals stenosis.
4. At L4/L5 and L5-S1 mild to moderate broad-based left paracentral and Posterolateral disc bulge/herniation relusts in progressive moderate to advanced left foraminal stenosis.
5. L3-L4, mild multifactional central spinal canal stenosis due to posterior disc bulge/herniation, bilateral facet arthropathy, and ligamentum flavum thickening. Mild-to-moderate right foraminal stenosis. This has progressed.

Thanks in advance for any information you are able to share. Tamra

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Profile picture for sassytwo
sassytwo | @sassytwo | Jan 26 4:53pm
In reply to @karenoharmon "@sassytwo Yay for this positive report! The timeline is helpful. I am at week 12 and..." + (show)
Profile picture for kadeoh! @karenoharmon

@sassytwo Yay for this positive report! The timeline is helpful. I am at week 12 and frustrated that I can barely make a mile - a really slow mile. I also appreciate that you provided 2 massages! That's amazing! What physical symptoms remain from your surgery? At this point, I still have a lot of swelling on my outer thighs and lower abdomen. It hurts to pull pants over the swelling. I made my own dinner last week and was ecstatic - but felt I was lagging behind in what I should be doing. I have not been out in public except to work a few hours a day 4 days a week. One of my goals this week was to try to go out on a date with my husband. It has been far too long - but I'm not sure if my goals are practical. Do you remember where you were at this point? (I have a t10 to s1 with tethering.) Thanks for any encouraging and even practical news!

Jump to this post

@karenoharmon
Hi Karen, I am trying to recall, but I walked 1st with my walker for several weeks once I began taking walks. I borrowed one with a seat, in case I tired, I could take a break. Then I brought a cane just in case. I think a mile is a good milestone for 12 weeks. Listen to YOUR body.

I do not recall pain in my thighs, but my quads are still weaker than before, so that is my year 2 goal.

I had distention of my tummy that has slowly disappeared with much PT. I highly recommend Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy.

Mine stomach was more discomfort than pain. Your sounds much more tender. Have you mentioned this to anyone?

My entire surgery was prone. Did they go through your stomach? That might be more painful for recovery. I know others who had the supine and prone surgery, comment that the stomach took longer to heal.

Physical Therapy has been the best tool to heal for me. I did "traditional" therapy at first and I wish I would have started with pelvic floor. I have been in therapy off and on all year. I am 68 and on Medicare with my own 2ndary insurance, so it has been 100% covered. An advantage plan or other insurance may be more costly.

You will need a script that specifies Pelvic floor. Mine is for Pelvic floor and myofacial.

Myofacial is a massage technique that helps break up the scar tissue. ( I am a massage therapist) At your stage, you probably are still working on pelvic floor and general strengthening.

Definitely PT has been number one for my healing. Not every surgeons offers this. If your's doesn't or you are currently in therapy, ask for a script.

My best advice is push your self gently to move forward. I was just starting to be social at 12 weeks. I recall thinking that I thought I would have been further along in my recovery. Slow and steady wins this race.

4 months was a turning point for me. I took a trip to Savanah with a friend and I was walking miles on that trip. But that was me..... your recovery may take a bit longer.

It was at four months that I began with right pain in the hip area when I sit. I am working to connect my pelvic floor and strengthening my right hip area. I am hopeful it will get better, but if it doesn't, it is very manageable. My Right is definitely weaker than my left hip. (Opposite than my pre surgery pain. )However, not the disabling sciatica pain I had prior to surgery.

Hope that helps. If you want to chat, feel free to reach out. My number is 515.664.7995 and my email is boji_us@yahoo.com. I am not on connect as much these days. Tam

REPLY
Profile picture for nlback22
nlback22 | @nlback22 | Jan 27 10:17am
In reply to @karenoharmon "@sassytwo Yay for this positive report! The timeline is helpful. I am at week 12 and..." + (show)
Profile picture for kadeoh! @karenoharmon

@sassytwo Yay for this positive report! The timeline is helpful. I am at week 12 and frustrated that I can barely make a mile - a really slow mile. I also appreciate that you provided 2 massages! That's amazing! What physical symptoms remain from your surgery? At this point, I still have a lot of swelling on my outer thighs and lower abdomen. It hurts to pull pants over the swelling. I made my own dinner last week and was ecstatic - but felt I was lagging behind in what I should be doing. I have not been out in public except to work a few hours a day 4 days a week. One of my goals this week was to try to go out on a date with my husband. It has been far too long - but I'm not sure if my goals are practical. Do you remember where you were at this point? (I have a t10 to s1 with tethering.) Thanks for any encouraging and even practical news!

Jump to this post

@karenoharmon
Hi Karen, we are all different in our healing and recovery.
I had a T-10 to pelvis fusion with SI Joint Fusions in May 2025.
I didn't have the swelling. If you haven't done so already, I would let your doctor's office know about it.

At 4 months, I was walking a slow mile, too.
By 6 months and presently, I still can only walk a slow mile, but I walk a mile in the morning and one in the afternoon. The interference for me, is my residual numbness and tingling in my right leg. I had this before surgery and the hope is that it will go away over time.
I am back to most social outings, but if I am sitting, I have to get up periodically and walk around. I do use a down-stuffed pillow at outings and in the car.
(At restaurants, I just let the waiter/waitress know that I have a back issue and that I will need to stand up periodically. )

I avoid large crowds as I don't want to be bumped. But, I did attend a smaller Jack Johnson concert at 6 months. Sat in the handicapped section and did the usual--stood up and walked to the side isle multiple times and had my comfortable pillow.
If I sit too long, my back still gets tender--sometimes with a delayed reaction.

Best wishes, Nadine.
Ps. Much of my progress is chronicled in my comments on this site. Just search "nlback"

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for kadeoh!
kadeoh! | @karenoharmon | Jan 27 6:18pm
In reply to @nlback22 "@karenoharmon Hi Karen, we are all different in our healing and recovery. I had a T-10..." + (show)
Profile picture for nlback22 @nlback22

@karenoharmon
Hi Karen, we are all different in our healing and recovery.
I had a T-10 to pelvis fusion with SI Joint Fusions in May 2025.
I didn't have the swelling. If you haven't done so already, I would let your doctor's office know about it.

At 4 months, I was walking a slow mile, too.
By 6 months and presently, I still can only walk a slow mile, but I walk a mile in the morning and one in the afternoon. The interference for me, is my residual numbness and tingling in my right leg. I had this before surgery and the hope is that it will go away over time.
I am back to most social outings, but if I am sitting, I have to get up periodically and walk around. I do use a down-stuffed pillow at outings and in the car.
(At restaurants, I just let the waiter/waitress know that I have a back issue and that I will need to stand up periodically. )

I avoid large crowds as I don't want to be bumped. But, I did attend a smaller Jack Johnson concert at 6 months. Sat in the handicapped section and did the usual--stood up and walked to the side isle multiple times and had my comfortable pillow.
If I sit too long, my back still gets tender--sometimes with a delayed reaction.

Best wishes, Nadine.
Ps. Much of my progress is chronicled in my comments on this site. Just search "nlback"

Jump to this post

@nlback22 Thank you so much for this timeline! It is so helpful to hear what others are accomplishing and experiencing. I love that you made people aware of what you needed. I have been reminded my multiple people that trying to press through, or sucking it up does not help the healing process at all.
Thanks again for sharing your experience!
Best!
k

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