Lumbar Spinal Fusion, Post-Op. Should I have these symptoms?

@wandagoode @ga29 I called Rochester . I had all my MRIs and CTs , Surgeons notes all I needed was my EMG which wasn’t being done for about 2 weeks but they said that would be ok it’ll take 4-6 weeks not knowing they would look at it the day I got everything sent to them. I also had CT sent for my neck since none of the surgeons would look at it either. Did you have leg numbness, burning , tingling, stabbing , it was mainly my left leg now both legs are numb? It just aggravates me that he wouldn’t get me out of the wheelchair to check me out even on the final visit especially when I told him he pain went straight to the testicle when I rubbed the tailbone , all he said was sorry it didn’t help there’s no more he can do , but everything looks good and I can go play football( I think he meant a video game lol) I can’t even walk let alone play football. If the Neurologist can’t help me next Tuesday I will see about a physiatrist

Yes I had/ have those symptoms. Funny, that all went away after surgery but has slowly come back to some degree. I’m afraid the degeneration continues.
My surgeon did not physically examine me for my follow up. I think they tend to rely on the tests, the MRI, CT’s.
Your surgeon is looking at the area of the fusion and saying yes, it’s all intact. If you still have pain that is affecting your quality of life, you must find another surgeon.
My complaint about burning pain a year after the first surgery was received with ‘give it another year, see how you’re doing.’ I needed additional surgery, to stabilize the spine. This time it’s much improved, if not pain free!
You may be in the same situation.

@ga29 sad part is I’ve been to 4 Neurosurgeons and Mayo Clinic my pain doctor said sadly no other surgeon will do anything because of liability in case there is something wrong. That’s why I wonder if there is something wrong and the surgeon doesn’t want to fix it. Yes the pain got better then has gotten worse and keeps getting worse. I was ready to quit using my cane now I’m using a cane all the time and starting to use my Walker more . I still go to the medical center and get in the pool all I can do is walk and make sure I have a noodle wrapped around me or I’d be under water a lot. One more question does your back pop. When I squat down and do the pelvic tilt or straight leg raise my back pops everytime

No, it doesn’t. I am so sorry for the pain you’re having. They warned me I could end up worse after surgery, so it is possible that there is nothing they can do to improve your condition. If that is so, I wish they can explain to you why that is the case.
I know I’m struggling with the realization of possibly not getting any better, but I do have hope that each year I will be stronger. I pray your pain lessens over time, or you find a doctor who can help you. Don’t give up!

@wandagoode I went thru the L4-S1April 2023. I had surgery because when I bent over I would about fall trying to get back up. When the surgeon got in there he found that L5 was loose , so he had to go to S1 (worst mistake ever I was already fused at L3-L4) at 3 weeks I had someone come up behind me while I was seated and twist me. The following week the nurse practitioner said it might be a set back but should be ok and I could start twisting, bending, lifting up to 30 lbs. I went home that night and after my shower decided to bend over and dry my lower legs (big mistake) there was a burning across my back that never improved. Still using a cane and sometimes Walker or scooter the surgeon released me to go back to work as a pipefitter at 4-1/2 months said everything’s healed . Luckily I met my new pcp that week and she kept me off the other 6 weeks then I was 8 months of no income applying for disability. My 1 year follow up the surgeon said everything is solid , no scar tissue , no pinched nerves , I can go play football . He’s on the second floor I can’t walk 1/4 of the distance so my wife took me up in a wheelchair I was seen several times in between because of the pain , all he would say is why did you have this test done. Last 4 visits never got me out of the wheelchair to look at my back. I still can rub my tailbone and send pain straight to the testicle I told him and he said no it has nothing to do with the back, I was having bladder and bowel issues so I asked about the Cauda Equine nerve since my inner thigh was so tender and painful and he said no so I had an epidural (with no relief) . He referred me for a pain stimulator luckily the pain doctor agreed there was something still wrong and sent me to see another neurosurgeon and I seen another one when I was in the hospital ( all they said is they wouldn’t recommend no other surgery) I was sent to surgeon #4 who said it’s my hip hip surgeon done a test and said the hips fine it’s your back. So back to the Pain doctor once again he said there’s still something wrong and recommended Mayo Clinic which I was denied. Back to pain doctor for an EMG nothings wrong with the back, I have mild neuropathy and pelvic issues which unfortunately pelvic therapy ended that week. I’m going the 30th to see my Neurologist so hopefully he can give me some answers. I had to stop physical therapy and water therapy it was hurting too bad, everytime I squat in the pool and do pelvic tilts my back popped, then I’ve been going and just walking in the water and had to stop the pressure of the water hurt. I still occasionally have trouble at church and had to start setting in the entry way where it’s concrete floor because the vibration of the Bass on the wood floor triggered the nerves. Sorry for such a long post hopefully it helps someone watch out for something since it never helped me!