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L5-S1 spinal fusion and disc replacement

Posted by dougies @dougies, Nov 24, 2023

I am 73 and am now 3 weeks post surgery. I am managing relatively well. I have the hardest time when I first get up in the morning. Finding a comfortable sleep position is challenging. I have a body pillow which generally seems to help. Any tips on this or other recovery recommendations?

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migizii | @migizii | Nov 26, 2023

@solom174 I have not experienced pain lying on my back or turning while in bed. Lying on my back is not the most comfortable and I sleep on my side with a pillow between my knees. For at least 3 months, I had to move very slowly when changing positions in bed. Now, it is feeling more natural. I would contact my care team immediately with the symptoms you describe and get their opinion. I hope this helps in your journey.

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solom174 | @solom174 | Nov 26, 2023
In reply to @dougies "Sorry to hear this. If I lie on my back, my lumbar area stiffens up quickly,..." + (show)
@dougies

Sorry to hear this. If I lie on my back, my lumbar area stiffens up quickly, which makes standing painful. Turning in bed can be painful at times, even with log rolling). I seem to have good days and bad. No sharp severe pains. If I sit too long or sit in the wrong chair then there is a price to pay. The surgeon doesn’t want me stretching my back, at this point (less than 4 weeks after surgery). I have been told that it takes some people 6 months to a year to completely recover from fusion surgery. Hang in there. But after 5 months, I would want to find out why the severe pain. Have you X-rayed your back lately?

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I got the x-ray at 2 months post surgery and surgeon said "everything looks excellent", but that just refers to positioning of screws - it does not show anything related to my pain. Surgeon said that with physio my symptoms will go away - not true - I have been doing physio and much other exercise daily without improvement - this situation has plateaued and there is no trend toward feeling like anything is healing to lessen pain. I have to wait for another MRI in 2 weeks - I am sure it will be the same thing, "nothing to see here" - but there is something to feel here which is ongoing pain and lack of sleep and mobility.

REPLY
tbeck23 | @tbeck23 | Nov 27, 2023

I found after L5-S1 lumbar fusion I could only sleep on my side. I bought a good adjustable bed that made that helped a lot. I’d suggest making sure your mattress is as comfortable as possible.

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