Severe Stenosis in Lumbar Region

In August 2023 I had a Laminectomy and double spinal fusion. I was 71. Nine months later I am dealing with several issues, foot drop ( which I fell on in Dec. and fractured) torso pain which was inflammatory in nature due to trauma of the surgery ( Celebrex helped relieve that) and now opposite side pain that stretches down from lower back/ butt/ thigh which doc says is tendinitis. I had been on Gabapentin the first 5 months but it really didn’t get rid of the shock like nerve pain that still radiated down into my calf/ foot. So I started Lyrica and this did help relieve that nerve pain. Now I take Tylenol only. I still have pain, mostly during sleep and in the morning until my body wakes up. Something about my body being compressed while laying down aggravates things. Just recently my surgeon thinks he sees loosening of the screws in the hardware in my back. That is scary. My bones are not of a 25 year old. I had to have this surgery though. I was developing drop foot which impeded normal walking and the vertebra had shifted and was pressing on the nerve root. L4 L5. S1. I hope this helps. Everyone is different. We all have various issues and age/ gender plays a role. I use trek pokes to walk outdoors. I’m unsteady but I hate the orthotic brace that was made for me. Biggest advice: walk walk walk after surgery.

Everyone’s experience is different. At age 73 I had a multi- level laminectomy and L4-L5 fusion September 2022.. I recovered well with minor residuals including leg weakness and foot numbness. My advice is get multiple surgical opinions from reputable neurosurgeons, take pain pills after surgery as long as you need them, follow the no BLT instructions, follow PT instructions and diligently to your exercises ( I still do) and have realistic expectations on recovery- it takes 9-12 months for a full recovery. Good luck.

Wife had a similar surgery in mid June 2023. They told her a year to recover. Some of the odds/ends you may want to consider. My memory may be off for timing of things and I wasn't the patient (thankfully, although my time may come...).

The 50 mile trip home from the hospital was awful - plan your route for the smoothest way home in the softest riding vehicle you can find and drive gently.

The pressure on the nerve root which caused intense pain down her leg was resolved fairly quickly - within days. She still sleeps in a recliner due to pain/inability to get in/out and sleep in her bed. Quality of the recliner is a very big deal when you're sleeping in it for so long. Hers has electric adjustment for the leg rest and the back - no pulling a lever for adjustments.

One thing they did was take some of her bone grindings and mixed it with cadaver bone to rebuild (my words) the vertebrae. Supposedly heals faster/better than cadaver bone.

You will be running back to the surgeon/ortho team for regular checkups and exams and regularly scheduled PT visits depending on need.

She has gradually reduced use of a rollator over time, but still uses it when having to walk more than a mile, ground is uneven or needs to transport something. Was walking about 1/2 mile before winter. Recently replaced the rollator for with walking poles. Now is using a treadmill and working up distance pending consistently better weather. She has a back brace which she calls a turtle shell and has used that less and less over time.

In general, it takes significant recovery to be able to negotiate steps. Railings on steps (even two steps) are necessary as are safety bars in showers. You are definitely a fall risk. Forget taking a tub bath until fully healed.

Also will need a home healthcare aide for a while to help with wound care, showers, follow-up checks. You may need domestic help if you don't have a capable significant other - cooking, cleaning, taking pets outside, transportation. Helpful to have this arranged before the surgery.

She returned to school bus driving last November. I think that was probably premature because of the strain getting up the steps to the driver's seat.

Recently, she was finally able to negotiate the stairway to get to our lower level. Progress!

Probably the most irritating thing about this was the delay because all the things the medical system tried and which failed before they finally begrudgingly settled on surgery. A lot of pain/disability working through that gauntlet. Very thankful that our PT insistently pushed this to a surgeon.

Hope this helps.

This has been very helpful. Thank you for taking the time to write. I live about 60 miles from the hospital. And, turn 73 this month. So, thanks again. You have been encouraging & helpful.

In the near future, I’m supposed to have surgery to correct my severe spinal stenosis + have lumbar spinal fusion on my L3 & L4 and my L4 & L5. Currently taking Gabapentin 3X daily. Has anyone had this surgery & how was your recovery experience? Thank you for any encouragement, advice, information, etc. you can offer.

Thank you for your response. It has been helpful. Also, after reading all the comments, I’m looking into getting a second opinion, just to be safe. By the way, I turn 73 this month.

Thank you for your response. After reading other people’s responses, I’m looking into getting a second opinion, just to be safe. However, your last sentence is what my current doctor said I’d need to do after surgery ~~ he said, “you’ll need to walk like crazy!” Makes sense.

Everyone’s experience is different. At age 73 I had a multi- level laminectomy and L4-L5 fusion September 2022.. I recovered well with minor residuals including leg weakness and foot numbness. My advice is get multiple surgical opinions from reputable neurosurgeons, take pain pills after surgery as long as you need them, follow the no BLT instructions, follow PT instructions and diligently to your exercises ( I still do) and have realistic expectations on recovery- it takes 9-12 months for a full recovery. Good luck.

Hi, I’m interested to read what comments you receive , I’m in the same situation , but quite wary of having surgery . Let me ask you please , mine is ok during the day I can manage quite well L but sleeping is horrible , I have tried many cervical pillows , wedges and cat , yo no avail, how do you manage .

I have a few additions to this excellent set of reports. I am 77 and had L4-L5 fusion last July for spinal stenosis and an unstable anterolisthesis. Surgery was proceeded by 6 months of debilitating right leg pain and increasing left foot numbness. That awful pain was gone the day after surgery! I live only 3 miles from the hospital but we borrowed an SUV that was easy to get into and smooth riding. I had children scheduled to work from our home for two weeks and a dog walker. I moved to a lower guest bed and had all my clothes etc pre-positioned in high drawers. Got a fridge and microwave for second floor home office - very helpful. Rented a recliner but never used it. Once home, I walked up two flights slowly but without help or difficulty. I will add to this Pollyanna-ish tale that the muscle pain in back and legs was a surprise. After walking bent over to relieve the nerve pain, being stretched out for 5 hrs of surgery then walking upright stressed the muscles in the front of my body. Heat and ice packs helped. Also surprised at anxiety and weepy sessions - but was reassured by daughter in law that all was normal response to surgery. Finally, was also dismayed by how lousy I felt fir several weeks; weak, no appetite. Very glad I had the surgery (done by an orthopedic surgeon with part done by neurosurgeon). But the advice here is really excellent; prepare in advance, don’t let post-surgery trauma response throw you, and realize that you may be deconditioned from your pre surgery adaptations. Wishing you and the other posters the very best. These are tough decisions and recovery can be long and bumpy! Take care.