10 Weeks into recovery from spinal fusion

I had an L5-S1 fusion and done remarkably well. My Dr said it would take a yr to fully recover. I come home alone and was climbing 16 stairs to potty. It just wasnt nearly as bad as I prepared for. It took about 3 mths to not feel the hardware when I'd cough.. and there were times I'd overdo it and feel bad because of it. I had to remind myself that even tho I FELT okay, I TRULY WASN'T. Remember to go slow until you've healed.

Thank you for your advice... it was helpful to read something positive from someone else. and Happy New Year to you. I am not known for my patience but have had to learn fast. Just as you said....overdo it and feel bad. I have had to slow down but things seem to be settling which is wonderful 13 weeks on, no regrets.

You're most welcome Fredowitch. I hope you continue to do well.

this is one week today since my L5S1 fusion and dang I should have had this done years ago haven't felt this good in years

I'm glad to hear you're surgery is so helpful. I had a laminectomies on L5-L1 with fusion of L5s1. Pain is less than before surgery but cannot walk far, have L leg dropfoot and weakness with leg collapsing. Balance is a problem. I'm almost 3 months post op. Cord was "nicked" during surgery. Don't know recovery trajectory and all & is complicated by fusion of C1-C6 7 months earlier. I'm worried I won't be able to walk normally. Any others with similar lumbar spine surgeries?

Fredowitch- I also had L5 S1 and I was doing great for 3 weeks! Pain was totally gone. At the end of the 3rd week I had horrible pain in my lower back and in my tailbone area. And I at times have tingling in both legs. I have fallen three times because my legs seem to just give out with no warning. My surgeon had x-rays done and seems hardware and everything is still in place. I went to pain management doctor yesterday and he explained that the tailbone pain was because when you have L5 S1 surgery the lower plate and screws are screwed into your tailbone plate or region (not sure what the area is called). So when your fusion is complete and it has "fused" that area is no longer moving between those vertibraes so if you think about it that means there is no movement in the tailbone either.
I wish you the best of luck in your recovery. I am in my 5th week and start rehab finally. Even though I am still in horrible pain. Just keep walking and keep a smile on your face

I am 10 weeks post l4-l5 fusion with decompression of l3-4. I am doing very well and expect to return to work next week. My surgery was on an emergency basis due to sciatic that was completely unresponsive after 6 wks to the usual conservative measures. I spent 9 days in the hospital before they operated then was discharged 2 days post op. Started PT at 2 wks and have been going two days a week progressing nicely through gentle stretches to cardio and gradual increase in core strenghening. Mornings continue to be the toughest part of my day. I get out of bed and the soles of my feet hurt like mad and i have general achiness which eases as i move around.

I walk most days too and im constsntly up and down. First month or so i napped everyday and slept late but not anymore. I rarely nap and get up earlier in anticipation of returnig to work only to be told im losing my job.

I have what i believe to be nerve pain on left side and numbmess through left buttock and sligjtly into the front of my thigh. It is diminishing but still persists. It should resolve but i am well aware it may not. Overall, i am prob 75-80% esp since when i went to ER and was admitted I couldnt stand up was bent sideways and forward amd pain was constant 10/10. Today no leg pain on right side where it was
and im completely upright.

Everyday is different and some days i feel fantastic with free movement and others a bit sorer and slower.

i also had lumbar surgery l2-l4 decompression discectomy 4 urs ago amd while this was unexpected and more involved, in some ways I actually felt better surgically post op. In part i attribute it to technological advances.

Will post again.

Ps apologies for typos im using my smartphone.

I am 10 weeks post spinal fusion L4-L5. I was feeling great until about a week ago. I have developed stiffness in my lower back, that is making my walking and sitting for too long difficult. I am having gentle PT and the doctor promises that this is normal and will ease. Other than that the sciatic pain down my leg has disappeared, but I have nerve irritation in my good foot over my toes. The nerve pain started immediately after the op and has not changed.

I too have fantastic days and then days where I have to rest on and off most of the day. I walk almost daily for about half an hour, I do exercises on my bed 3x a day and I am driving, shopping and getting out.

Is stiffness in your lower back at all an issue?

It's nice to see some positive results. I did something to my back in December and its been hell ever since. I'm 37 years old and my surgeon said the only thing that would have a chance of making my pain subside is a 2 level fusion. I'm extremely depressed and do not know what I hold do. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

i would love to know how you are doing as I had my op on the 28th August 2012. You must be about a month ahead of me. I came out of the op with the buttock and leg pain in my good leg, but that has gone. I also have nerve irritation in my good leg, over my toes which is not getting better. My bad leg is pain free.

I am tender in my lower back and have stiffness in my lower back sometimes. This does not diminish my activities as I am driving, shopping and doing lots. The difficulty comes with sitting or standing for too long. I need to get the brace off and lie down for a while.

Talking from my experience, I have gone from extreme pain to no pain - just a bit tenderness and stiffness in the lower back, sometimes. Nothing compared to pre op pain. However I believe that you have to have tried other options like PT , bed rest and medication before you go in for an op. I could not sit, stand, walk and eventually lie, without extreme pain. I lived from pill to pill.

I have heard of many successful ops but I strongly believe that your post op care is the most important. Listen to your doctors rules from day one.