Lower back spinal fusion recover, how bad is it?

Posted by avorst @avorst, Apr 15 10:39am

I am scheduled for a double spinal fusion and discectomy from L3 to L5 in late June. I have a high tolerance for pain but am wondering what the first two weeks were like for you all. I am 49 and in good health and tolerate pain well. I am worried I will lose most of my summer and am thinking of postponing the surgery until late fall so I can enjoy summer with my family and not be too fatigued or in pain.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Spine Health Support Group.

jenatsky | @jenatsky | May 26 12:30pm

Yep, postpone until the fall if you can tolerate it and not do anything else to change it. One word of advice, once you begin a PT program do not ever stop doing it. Once you’ve had insult to the back being it trauma or intended things change. Maintaining your core strength and continuing a good low back exercise program may save you from old age back. I lost that battle though I’m not complaining.