L5 nerve damage following spinal fusion with SCS treatment

I am looking to hear from others who have had a spinal fusion with damage to nerves. Hit by a drunk driver in 2022 which resulted in back injuries. Fast forward to October 2024, I had L4/5, L5/S1 fused. Prior to the surgery I had some static pain but my main issue was burning in my toes on the left foot. Upon waking from the surgery, I found relief on my left side but found the right leg, ankle and foot to have weakness, numbness, and tingling in my toes. I was told that it was due to swelling and inflammation and would take some time. Over the past year I have been in PT, had massages, spinal injections and meds with minimal improvement. They told me that after a year this will be the best I will be.

Because of the lack of response to other treatments and confirmation through EMG that my L5 nerve was causing my issues, I opted to have a spinal nerve stimulator (Metronics) implanted after a semi-successful trial with it. This was put in about 5 weeks ago. I have not had much success with decreasing the symptoms down my right leg, ankle and foot. Has anyone else had a similar situation? Anything that has helped you so that it doesn’t feel like rubber bands around each toe walking on marbles? The numbness down the leg is tolerable the other not so much. In addition this is causing my ankle to feel week and therefor a fear of falling.

Having said all of this I am grateful that I can function, walk and as a provider said to me “not shitting” myself. I guess that’s a good bar to have.

I look forward to hearing what others thoughts, experiences and suggestions are.