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Post back surgery debilitating tightness - Any insight, suggestions?
My husband (83) had a syncope on Sept 9, 2024, which resulted in a burst spinal fracture and required major surgery: "posterior spinal fusion with instrumentation L1-L5 with instrumentation and bilateral laminectomy L2-L5. Open redictin of L3 burst fracture". About 4-6 weeks post-surgery he suddenly developed a painful tightness approximately from his belt line to tailbone that continues almost a year later. 😢 It is aggravated by standing or walking for more than 5 -6 minutes, but is alleviated when he sits and readjusts his position occasionally. It has greatly impacted his mobility. A heating pad helps. He's done physical therapy several times and currently is doing aqua therapy, which helps for an hour or so. He's tried trigger point injections with the pain clinic doctor that were useless. The surgeon provides no insight or suggestions so we are basically on our own to figure out a solution, if there is one!!! 😱 This pain is not a sharp, stabbing pain like nerve damage; therefore, we feel it is muscular. He is scheduled to see a massage therapist, but he has some concern about going because of the rods in his back. Boy, we'd appreciate any ideas from others who have had this post-back surgery tightness, which is debilitating and lifestyle altering. He's been an active guy, trim and fit except for this issue. Has anyone used an e-stimulator, like a TENS? acupuncture? tried anything else? I know patience is required for any type of surgery but it's been almost a year. Many thanks for any suggestions you might have!
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@ellen1944 @jenniferhunter
Hi Elle! I’m not sure but you might want to look into myofacial release for your husband. Jennifer Hunter has a lot of experience with this and I know she will weigh in on whether she thinks this might be right for him.
Sherry 😊🙏
@ellen1944
I had L3-L5 decompression and fusion surgery in August 2024. I’m in my mid 50s and still have some pain and discomfort with certain movements but many pre surgery symptoms have improved.
Has your husband had an updated MRI post surgery to review surgery hardware, soft tissues and if there is any new compression? Is his muscular pain near his surgical site? When you have decompression and fusion surgery, you are at risk for adjacent segment issues and new compression.
What I have found is that I need to move differently due to changes in biomechanics. I have pulled muscles cervical and lumbar spine area (have had surgery on both). Your husband may benefit from occupational therapy, in addition to physical therapy, to learn how to do things differently to prevent injuries or pulled muscles.
@ellen1944 @sherrym25
Sherry is right, I do think myofascial release may help with pain. Here's why. All surgery creates scar tissue, and over time, it tends to tighten up and it puts a lot of pressure on the body. We also may have behavior patterns that add to tightness. MFR can stretch the surgical scar tissue. I have done this with my PT after my surgeries. Massage therapy may help too. The key to releasing the tightness is to put some shearing pressure on the area and just wait for the tissue to release. There is a provider search at https://mfrtherapists.com/
Here is our discussion where you can learn more.
Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR) for treating compression and pain
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/
Have you heard about myofascial release before?
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2 ReactionsI didn’t have back surgery but did suffer for many years from a ruptured disc L5.
Over the years I had dealt with lower back pain probably unrelated to the disc issue.
Anyway general stretching has proved valuable. For pain relief I found deep water running amazing. The weightless environment engages small core support muscles to be stimulated in an attempt to provide balance and stability in the deep water. These muscles would otherwise rarely get used. The result has been huge relief and I use it as a regiment to strengthen those muscles
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2 ReactionsI get in the water a lot I have to walk in the water a little bit with that count as deep water walking? I swim without using my legs so because using my legs usually triggers my symptoms.
The water walking would stimulate the muscles but much less. Shallow water (up to the chest) still provides a stability, when feet are on the bottom. Being suspended in deeper engages the various core muscles to try and provide stability.
Many thanks for your thoughts! We will definitely look into water running and myofascial therapy. He's trying some dry needle PT next week, finished 4 weeks/2days of aqua therapy, which wasn't very helpful. Wrote a longer reply, but it disappeared! So, this could be repeat. Sorry if it is.