How long til I can walk normal without a cane after L4-L5 fusion?

Posted by bjedwards @bjedwards, Jul 3 3:29pm

I was diagnosed with a noncurable blood cancer several yrs ago. I smoked for over 20 yrs and recently quit.
Feb 10, 2025 I had a L4-L5 back fusion. I have been an entertainer my whole life. Before the fusion, although in pain, I was able to work at least a few days a week. One week after surgery i was able to even walk the beach with a walker and carefully pick up pretty things. Now at 6 months post surgery I am still on a cane and discouraged. I cant work at all now because of the cane. Dr says im healing well and showed me wear the new bone was growing around the hardware (cool). Im also seeing progress.
Orthopedics say I need a hip replacement now. I don't have a ball and the socket is almost nonexistent. He thinks the bone died but I'm not so sure thats true because i can still move my leg. Ive done splits since I was 8 yrs old. Which yes I do have pain there but not unbearable most of the time. Why cant I walk more than 15ft without a cane and i still look like i just started walking? Why cant i even work 1 day a week, without doing difficult tricks like splits? Or am I potentially still healing muscle and nerves just at a slower pace?
Keep in mind I'm definitely aware its inevitable that a hip replacement will still eventually be necessary but if im just healing slower I'd like to at least be back to caneless and more financially stable before another surgery is done.

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babrardin | @babrardin | Jul 3 4:43pm

I have a friend that had the same type of surgery. Mine was an emergency, but he healed within 1 month. I was expecting the same. Mine took almost a year, but I was sick a lot of the time with other issues that kept me from being active. Some of yours may be from your hip. Hopefully you have a very good and caring doctor and surgeon. Stay positive and active. They say being active is the best thing for healing but I’d definitely check with my doctor to make your hip is up for it. That it doesn’t do more damage.

jenatsky | @jenatsky | Jul 6 2:16pm

We all heal at a different pace. Your surgeon provided you with positive info on your healing process but it wasn’t good enough. You should look for about a year of more before you’ll feel normal. You had big time back surgery so take care of yourself. Yes you like to entertain people and it gives you a rush but you need to care for yourself first. I’m 30 years post op fusion L4-S1 and still going strong. The one thing you need to do that I didn’t was to continue your PT stretching and exercises post fusion for life. If you don’t you’ll pay a bigger price. Your ability to perform “splits” mostly contributed to your hip issue. I hope the other hip is good? Be kind to yourself and squeeze as much PT info as you can from your therapist.