Thoracic Spine T-2-T11 (fusion) rods

I have been in horrible pain since my spinal back surgery

I am a 54 year old man. I have framed over 500 homes in my career. Hard work, Hard life, You dont see any "OLD FRAMERS" you see old broke down trim carpenters. May 13, 2025. I had a T11-S2 fusion. I am now 9 weeks post. I still have mobility problems. I can no longer reach my feet to put on my socks, or cut my toenails. My surgeon was excellent. But unfortunately I am afraid I will have permanent restrictions. I try to work in my little wood shop daily. I can only do this for a limited time, 1-1.5 hours. Then I must sit to release pressure on my back. Most days I must lay down to do this. Sleeping is a huge problem also. I am only getting 4-5 hours of sleep most nights. After lying in bed for this time, I MUST get up and sit in my chair. The pain wakes me up. I still have restrictions. I can only lay for 4-5 hours then I must get up. I can only stand for 1 to 1.5 hours then I must sit. I can only sit for 30-45 minutes then I must stand again. I can no longer drive for more then 30-45 minutes the I must stop and walk for a few minutes. I use a cane to walk, it helps give me stability, I can only walk for 30-45 minutes, then I must sit. Its a crazy life now. I had pain in my back, shooting down my legs, So bad sometimes I would cry and could not get relief from the pain. I have traded that pain for all the restrictions I have now. My surgeon warned me that most people do not come back from this surgery. I felt I was going to be one of the few to bounce back. This being my 4th and hopefully my final back surgery, I dont think I will be the one to bounce back.

I am sorry you are experiencing so much pain. I am facing similar surgery of T10-S1. I have interviewed at 5 surgeons and they all told me that it can be a recovery period of up to one year. However, other people who have had this surgery have reported relief of the pain you described immediately after surgery. Much of the pain post op was mostly the surgery scars healing and regaining muscle strength. Can you describe what the pain is that seems to interfere with your sleep and ability to sit or stand for any length of time? Is it radiating numbness in the legs, muscle spasms in your back or something else? My pain today is mostly pain in my thighs and spasms in my lower back, leg weakness and difficulty standing or walking for more than 10 minutes.
Why did your surgeon go from T11-S2? My recommendations are to correct a slight curve in the lower thoracic and correct narrowing of the spinal canal at L3-5. I hope your physical therapy helps with relieving the pain.

I am a 54 year old man. I have framed over 500 homes in my career. Hard work, Hard life, You dont see any "OLD FRAMERS" you see old broke down trim carpenters. May 13, 2025. I had a T11-S2 fusion. I am now 9 weeks post. I still have mobility problems. I can no longer reach my feet to put on my socks, or cut my toenails. My surgeon was excellent. But unfortunately I am afraid I will have permanent restrictions. I try to work in my little wood shop daily. I can only do this for a limited time, 1-1.5 hours. Then I must sit to release pressure on my back. Most days I must lay down to do this. Sleeping is a huge problem also. I am only getting 4-5 hours of sleep most nights. After lying in bed for this time, I MUST get up and sit in my chair. The pain wakes me up. I still have restrictions. I can only lay for 4-5 hours then I must get up. I can only stand for 1 to 1.5 hours then I must sit. I can only sit for 30-45 minutes then I must stand again. I can no longer drive for more then 30-45 minutes the I must stop and walk for a few minutes. I use a cane to walk, it helps give me stability, I can only walk for 30-45 minutes, then I must sit. Its a crazy life now. I had pain in my back, shooting down my legs, So bad sometimes I would cry and could not get relief from the pain. I have traded that pain for all the restrictions I have now. My surgeon warned me that most people do not come back from this surgery. I felt I was going to be one of the few to bounce back. This being my 4th and hopefully my final back surgery, I dont think I will be the one to bounce back.

I am a 54 year old man. I have framed over 500 homes in my career. Hard work, Hard life, You dont see any "OLD FRAMERS" you see old broke down trim carpenters. May 13, 2025. I had a T11-S2 fusion. I am now 9 weeks post. I still have mobility problems. I can no longer reach my feet to put on my socks, or cut my toenails. My surgeon was excellent. But unfortunately I am afraid I will have permanent restrictions. I try to work in my little wood shop daily. I can only do this for a limited time, 1-1.5 hours. Then I must sit to release pressure on my back. Most days I must lay down to do this. Sleeping is a huge problem also. I am only getting 4-5 hours of sleep most nights. After lying in bed for this time, I MUST get up and sit in my chair. The pain wakes me up. I still have restrictions. I can only lay for 4-5 hours then I must get up. I can only stand for 1 to 1.5 hours then I must sit. I can only sit for 30-45 minutes then I must stand again. I can no longer drive for more then 30-45 minutes the I must stop and walk for a few minutes. I use a cane to walk, it helps give me stability, I can only walk for 30-45 minutes, then I must sit. Its a crazy life now. I had pain in my back, shooting down my legs, So bad sometimes I would cry and could not get relief from the pain. I have traded that pain for all the restrictions I have now. My surgeon warned me that most people do not come back from this surgery. I felt I was going to be one of the few to bounce back. This being my 4th and hopefully my final back surgery, I dont think I will be the one to bounce back.