Is it normal to have severe stiffness/pain3 weeks post-op from lumbar

Give it some time, back surgery isn't a minor procedure.

@mrmacabre it sure is!!!

@wywomanjk Yes! It is definitely normal to be extremely stiff and sore for any surgery in the lumbar region. It’s going to take a while to heal because that is the weight-bearing part of your back.
I’m sure they advised you not to take any NSAIDs because it inhibits bone fusion. Tylenol and any other pain meds they give you are the best thing. Also alternate heat and ice. I love the soft forming ice packs that I still use nine months after my fusion.
Use whatever works best for your back at the time and try to calm things down before you go to bed. Also muscle relaxers are a great thing to take right before bed to help things relax so you can sleep.
Wishing you the best healing 😊 Sherry

@sherrym25 thank you. I am a 67 year old woman and I haven't been alternating the heat and ice. I will definitely try that! I was told to not take this brace off except to sleep and shower, so I think I just neglected to try your advice.

I will try taking my muscle relaxant before bed tonight.
I am thankful for this group and the support!
My new gait seems to be aggravating my hips and knee. I hope this will also resolve itself. I am up to walking 2 miles a day- I hope to get back to my 5 miles a day.
Thanks again!!!🥰

@wywomanjk
Wow girl!! 2 miles a day? I’m proud of you! I walk a lot around my little ranch and I’m actually tempted to get a watch that counts my steps to see how much I’m walking.
As for taking off your brace, it’s very important to wear it to keep from twisting mostly. You can take it off if you’re not going to be twisting or bending, and only sitting back to put ice or heat on it (and shower and sleeping of course!)
Do you have a recliner or a chair that you can relax back in and put an ice pack along your back? I have a heating pad plugged in next to my couch and there are days when my back is achy that I will lay back and then I will put the ice on it. It does wonders!
As for your new gait, I went through the same thing! Your body has to adjust with your spine being braced up and aligned. Just be patient with your body and listen to it. I have days that I feel awesome and then the next day I have no idea what happened, but I’m hurting. Healing takes awhile 🥰

@wywomanjk
I had l3-l5 decompressed and fused and it can take 3-6 months heal and a full year to see the full impact of the surgery. It will take time. It is best to get up and walk as much as you can during the day for circulation and muscle movement making sure not to twist or overdo it. Let your surgeon know about your pain to adjust medication to help you sleep.

@dlydailyhope thank you!!
I am walking quite a bit throughout the day ( around 5200 steps). The flexoril they have me on wires my brain and really doesn't touch my pain. I quit taking the Percoset about a week and a half a go. But when I quit, I wasn't having the tight stiffness in my back that now awakes me around 2 each morning. I will reach out to my doctor on Monday.

@sherrym25 I do have recliner and I did try ice last night. I undid my brace and put my moldable ice pack on the area and then secured my brace. It did help.
I guess I am wanting too much too soon. This is the toughest surgery I have ever been through. Thanks for your encouragement! Have a great weekend!

@wywomanjk Im glad to hear the ice helped!!
I agree that it was the toughest surgery that I’ve ever had too.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

6 1/2 months post op from L2 to L4 spinal laminectomy and fusion. My spine was impinging the spinal cord. Severe spinal stenosis and arthritis as well as bone loss. I am very stiff, legs are cramping and painful, legs often feel like they are slipping out of joint at the knee while walking. I will give it another 6 months before I determine if it's permanent or not.