Screw removal l4 l5

Posted by mlm73 @mlm73, Jan 11 11:36pm

I had screws removal from l4 l5 on right side from a previous fusion. I also had a decompression. I'm 19 days post opm. Right side is ok. But left side if back in lots of pain. My left side was perfect. At follow up, he said to give it a couple more weeks of healing. If not better, they will look more. Not sure if it's muscle or what. They did thru my original incision. I'm very nervous something happened. I'm worried I won't be able to do my job. I never should of done this. Can anyone tell me if they healed ok? Everything I'm reading says 4 to 6 weeks

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@mlm73
I am a 55 year old female and had decompression and fusion l3-l5 for severe stenosis and neurogenic claudication in 2024 due to degenerative disc disease. I did get some relief from surgery but then about 8 weeks post op I started to get new nerve pain in hips and hip flexors. It can take 3-6 month to heal and a full year to see where you stand after surgery compared to pre surgery. Compressed nerves need to heal and regenerate and this can be a long process and painful. Give yourself time to heal and be careful not to twist or bend too much and start physical therapy when able.

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Thank you. I hope you are doing well.

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@gently

mim73, ask your GP or the surgeon for MR imaging. It's possible that muscles on the left are adjusting to changes on the right. But it is also possible that you have injury unrelated to the surgery. You might tell your general practitioner that you thing you may have suffered a vertebral fracture. Because of your anxiety and because you might have something else happening either with the disc or the vertebra, I don't find waiting a couple of weeks reasonable for you. And I hope the MRI finds nothing and that you heal without pain.

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Dr. Replied and said they did have to go thru scar tissue and move muscle. I am feeling a bit better today. I'm about to get a xray to make sure bones are ok.

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I'm 3 weeks and 4 days post opd from a l4 l5 decompression. I also has had 2 screws removed on right side. This has been a much harder recovering then I thought it would be. My leg numbness, tingling and pain is crazy today. Im supposed to go back to work next, I am a flight attendant, and right now, no idea how I can. Question is, can I use my tens unit. Thanks.

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@mlm73

I'm 3 weeks and 4 days post opd from a l4 l5 decompression. I also has had 2 screws removed on right side. This has been a much harder recovering then I thought it would be. My leg numbness, tingling and pain is crazy today. Im supposed to go back to work next, I am a flight attendant, and right now, no idea how I can. Question is, can I use my tens unit. Thanks.

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@mlm73 You may want to ask your surgeon about using the tens unit. I can't think of an issue, but it's their call.

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