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"Metal plate" sensation post-lumbar fusion. Felt like this?

Posted by abb123 @abb123, Jul 21 6:18am

Almost 5 months ago I had a L4-5 fusion due to leg/creeping saddle numbness. I'm a 70 yo woman with osteo. I've been on Forteo 10 months now. The surgery took care of the numbness, but I have developed a painful sensation about 3 inches above my fusion that feels like a metal plate when I lie down, cough, bend even the slightest, etc. I also am now developing chronic pain around my S1, likely due to the mechanical load it now has to carry. Has anyone experienced this "metal plate" sensation? My guess is it is the long thick muscles that now are somewhat anchored and unable to move naturally .

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marcd2k | @marcd2k | 1 day ago
In reply to @laurica "@marcd2k do you mind sharing the name of the second surgeon? What did they offer in..." + (show)
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@marcd2k do you mind sharing the name of the second surgeon? What did they offer in terms of relief? I have t1-t10 fused and i feel the rods in my back, i feel them heavy and like they are pulling me backwards... its been 5 months since my surgery and i feel like things aren't improving...

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@laurica The second spine surgeon I had review my images and examine me is Dr. Luke Macyszyn. He was the one that told me he does not recommend further surgery, and that I needed either physical therapy or pain management or both. I went to the PT office he recommended, but unfortunately, after (6) visits, they had no answers. The co-owner of the PT office recommended a pain management doctor, but she wanted to try another epidural. I have already had three of them, and the third one back in February has caused me pain to this day, so epidurals are not on my radar any longer.

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