Hi All, Anyone who had an L5 S1 Fusion what were some of your Symptoms

I had L4-L5 L5-S1 fusion surgery 8 weeks ago. I had sciatica down the front of my right leg and was taking hydromorphone for over a year. I tried epidurals and an ablation, which helped for only short periods. At 8 weeks, I can walk 2 - 3 miles but get very sore afterward. I was very fit and active before my surgery. My back is still painful when I get out of bed in the mornings, but it improves with time.
I am looking forward to starting PT this week and my 12-week post-op appointment. I would appreciate any comments on what to expect.

I had a laminectomy. My cervical fusion did not take. Which left me with a screwed up neck. The laminectomy was perfect. No pain after surgery and no problems. I did not have to have physical therapy.
My pain ran straight down the back of my leg to the heal.

I’ve had 2 fusions, first was L4-5, last was revision to that, and extended to L5-S1. Symptoms are pain in lower back towards the left side, pain down my left leg wrapping around to the front, into my left foot. Pain in my feet when wearing shoes.
I also have cervical stenosis so not sure which causes more pain. I’m sure others have various differences in where pain goes but nerve pain is worst! All the best to you getting yours fixed.

I just had my L5 S1 fusion 3 weeks ago. I had pain running on left leg from my butt to my to foot. Since January I had 4 injection and 2 packs. When I came to after surgery I had no pain. Now I am dealing with a sore back from surgery. It is getting better. It did take me a week to get back to work but slowly.

S1 through L4 Cage implant with the discs that were taken out from the front. Over 2 years recovering, and it takes at least this long, maybe double to heal completely. Hang in there.. I'm 65 and hope to surf again. There's no such thing as too much PT at this point. Dr Stewart McGill big 3, twice a day, find a proteus machine and a good PT. My daily in-house workout is elliptical machine, Roman chair, Total gym.. number one recommendation, don't sit.. sleeping is also going to be an issue

I had laminectomy without fusion (due to osteoporosis). I had a cyst at L5/S1 compressing the sciatic nerve for my left side so I had all of the typical sciatica symptoms- extreme pain, neuropathy, muscle spasms. I could barely walk or stand and had trouble finding a comfortable sleeping position. I could get relief only in limited positions in my recliner.

Did the pain in your foot feel like a super tight compression bandage around it? Or what was it like... How long did you have the pain before January? You were able to go back to work after a week? Sorry for all the questions. Thanks

Did the laminectomy help some of Ur issues.

Absolutely! But it took awhile. I’m not one of those lucky people that got immediate relief. I have been getting slowly and (mostly) steadily better each day. After 4 days I was driving again, at about 2 weeks I could walk 100 yards to the mailbox, at a month I could walk my dog around the block. I started PT at 6 weeks with a referral from my neurosurgeon’s office. About a month ago I did my first 1 mile walk and 2 days ago I walked 2 miles.

The only setback was after getting ahead of myself in late March and trying to move some furniture. It took about a week for the throbbing pain and mild numbness to subside. I’ve been more careful and deliberate since then.

Excellent, I'm glad to hear it, yea for it to take awhile is pretty common. But from where you started you've come along way. Best wishes