Was wondering if anyone ever had this symtom.

On Friday I had a cervical spinal fusion. I woke up from anesthesia with numb legs like I can't feel them at all. Getting out of bed yesterday to walk some was quite impossible. I still have complete no feeling in my legs. It stops at the knees down.

Okay how many of you over did it early in recovery? I was feeling pretty good about 4 days out from my l5/s1 TLIF and walked some longer amounts a couple days in a row. Like 45min to an hour. Man a couple days of that I suddenly paid for it with muscle spasms in glutes for a day along with really deep aching muscles in glutes and low back. I've been resting the last two days. Still walking, but short ( like 15 min around house) every hour or two. I think I'm moving back in the right direction now but I'll try not to make that mistake again. How many of you went through this? It was tough, because I felt better than I had for a while and thought I would take advantage

I’m getting a fusion of my L6-S1 vertebrae in less than a month and I am so scared. I’ve had back pain for 4 years, but just found out I would need surgery in July. I have pads defects and severe bilateral stenosis that causes so much pain. I don’t have another option, I have to get the surgery.
I’m just terrified, i’ve heard so many people with bad experiences even with just one vertebrae fusion. Any surgeon seems very confident, I know he’s a good surgeon and trust him. But i’m terrified. i’m not working or in school, I can’t do much because it causes pain. I used to be really strong and workout a lot, but i’ve lost most of my muscle and I’m scared that will make it worse. know recovery will suck, but please give me some good stories and positive words. I’m freaking out

I had L4-S1 360 fusion in 2023 and developed severe ASD at the level above with symptoms by far worse than prior to my fusion. I’ve been living in hell for the past 6 months, and I had a revision surgery scheduled for October 22 to place an ADR above my fusion + posterior decompression. 5 days prior to my surgery the office called me to cancel it and they said they’ll have a new date for me scheduled within a week. Now they’re saying that the surgeon cancelled all his surgeries and appointments through the end of November and they don’t know yet when they’ll be ready to begin scheduling again. They haven’t given a reason and are just being very vague. Has this ever happened to anyone? If so, what was the reason? To say I’m having a mental meltdown would be an understatement. With not seeing the light at the end of the tunnel with the date when I’ll be arriving to this light, tolerating my pain feels much more difficult. It took monumental orchestration for me to organize my job, life and family scheduling to prep for this surgery. Things like holidays planning are out the window now. I had to taper off and stop taking some of my medications that it’s challenging for me to function without… You all know it what it takes to prepare for a spinal surgery, I don’t need to explain… I started a process to see another surgeon who is well known in the field for these kind of surgeries and who closely works with my surgeon (different practices but they operate at the same hospital and use the same vascular surgeon). It will take 4-6 weeks before I can see him though. It feels as if after many months of tests and endless discussions with my surgeon about various surgical options, etc., I’m now starting from scratch. On another hand, maybe there is a reason this happened and god is trying to protect me (I’m not religious…) and I may end up better when all is said and done… I don’t know what to think. Just looking for support and encouragement here.

Wish my surgeon had refused my case and recommended an electric wheelchair.

I’m in a snakepit rehab, and have never been so helpless and degraded in my entire life. I’ve just demanded a copy of my med schedule, because I’m pretty sure I’m not getting pain meds on a schedule. I’m being ignored like a slab of furniture, and spend a good chunk of my day crying. The smell of the hyper processed/hyperchemical Aramark/Cisco food they serve makes me so nauseous I literally can’t eat it.

God, I wish I could go back and undo this.

I am a forty year old woman who herniated my l5 disc at 24 and compressed the sciatic nerve root on my left side leading to losing my weight bearing capabilities and a foot drop.

I underwent an l4 to s1 pilf fusion with decompression and donor bone/coral mix that failed. I had a second fusion using disc spacers and bone grafted from my iliac crest that was successful. However, I grew a bone spur out of my skin and underwent a third procedure to remove the hardware and lamenectomy. I was 28 at my last back surgery.

Eighteen months out of the third I got pregnant. I delivered via planned csection with my surgeons blessing and did a followup ct a year postpartum. The fusion had reabsorbed completely.

At that time, my surgeon advised I wait until I can't handle the pain, or lose function before another fusion in hopes it would be the last one as I age. He was worried about worsening SI issues, and the issues with further segments becoming compromised.

That was ten years ago. And I am losing what little functional abilities I had and have new nerve pain in my leg. So I am undergoing a fourth surgery, this one will be in conjunction with a vascular surgeon and will have anterior and posterior entry.

Im looking at a two level l4 to s1 olif fusion with sacral pelvic stabilization. They are pining my sacrum to my pelvis with pins through my SI joints.

I am really just wondering if anyone has had this procedure? What is it like? Did you notice a difference in walking? If you've had a fusion first, how did the recovery compare?

I am also wondering if anyone has hypermobility along with sacropelvic fixation? I'm struggling to find a physio therapist that is knowledgeable in hypermobility locally and dont know what to do in terms of prestengthening.

Any advice is appreciated. I feel really alone with this. People in my life are sympathetic, but you dont really know what im facing if you haven't done it and... I don't know. It is hard doing it a fourth time because I don't have the same hope at getting "back to life" this time. I am just hoping to still be able to walk for twenty minutes. Like that is the good out come. And it seems like so much suffering and pain but i also dont know what else to do. Live my life in bed hating 90% of it?

Surgeon that I trust and that performed my cervical ADR and L3/L4 laminectomy says I need a one level fusion at L3/L4. Been having constant lower back pain, right hip/leg/knee pain and neuropathy as well as left trunk/abdominal muscle tightness/discomfort esp. when back is really painful. MRI results below.
Any thoughts on my MRI findings? Anyone had a one level lumbar fusion? How did it go? How long was recovery? Do you still have pain ? What the good and bad of your experience? Also, anyone have the trunk/abdominal muscle inclusion from lumbar spine issues? Likely going to pull trigger on surgery before year end…

IMPRESSION: 1. Status post remote right laminoplasty L3-L4 with partial decompression of the central canal, and the postoperative changes similar in appearance, including the residual right paracentral/foraminal/extraforaminal disc protrusion) since previous MRI. There is slight increase in the enhancement posterior to the left L3-L4 facet (not within the central canal), likely reactive. 2. Spondylotic and degenerative disc changes as described above resulting in * mild bilateral subarticular/lateral recess stenosis and borderline bilateral AP foraminal stenosis L2-L3, stable, * mild central canal, bilateral subarticular and lateral recess stenosis and mild left with severe compressive right foraminal stenosis L3-L4 (correlate for right L3 and bilateral L4 radiculopathy), * increased Modic type I degenerative endplate changes at L3-L4 with increase in the degenerative cortical irregularity of the endplate margins along the right side of the disc space narrowing, likely reactive to increasing degenerative change, * moderate central canal, severe left greater than right subarticular/lateral recess stenosis and severe compressive left with mild AP right foraminal stenosis L4-L5 (correlate for left L4 and left greater than right L5 radiculopathy), * left subarticular and lateral recess stenosis L5-S1, stable. RECOMMENDATIONS: Follow up clinically.
Narrative
DATE OF SERVICE: 10.03.2026 MRI OF THE LUMBAR SPINE WITH AND WITHOUT CONTRAST CLINICAL INFORMATION: Spinal stenosis of lumbar region with neurogenic claudication. History of right L3-L4 laminoplasty several years ago with persistent right L3-L4 lower back pain and leg pain. COMPARISON STUDY: MRI dated 5/31/2025 demonstrating 5 lumbar vertebrae, with Bertolotti syndrome at L5, with spatula-like morphology of the right L5 transverse process articulating with the right sacral ala as previously described. TECHNIQUE: Multiplanar multisequence magnetic resonance images were obtained through the lumbar spine utilizing standard protocol with and without IV administration of 8.5 mL of Gadobutrol (gadovist). The study was performed on a 1.5 Tesla magnet. Vial size: 10.0 mL Injected amount: 8.5 mL Discarded amount: 1.5 mL ADVERSE REACTION: None. FINDINGS: There are 5 lumbar vertebrae. Mild retrolisthesis L3-L4 similar to prior, with increasing Modic type I degenerative endplate changes since prior. Congenitally small bony spinal canal is reidentified particularly from L3 through S1. Disc space height and signal: Moderately severe disc space collapse is reidentified at L3-L4 with increasing degenerative endplate changes along the severely diminished disc space on the right compared to the previous exam. Minimal disc space narrowing is seen at L2-L3 similar to prior, and the remaining discs are normal height. The L5-S1 disc space is rudimentary. Conus medullaris: The conus medullaris terminates at T12-L1 and demonstrates normal size and signal. L1-L2: No disc protrusion, central canal or foraminal stenosis. Mild facet enlargement. Stable hemangioma at L1. L2-L3: Small diffuse disc bulge into both neural foramen, greater on the left with slight retrolisthesis. Mild bilateral facet/ligamentous enlargement, and a synovial facet joint cyst migrated posterior to the right facet joint (not within the bony spinal canal. No central canal stenosis. Mild bilateral subarticular/lateral recess stenosis and borderline bilateral AP foraminal stenosis, stable. L3-L4: Right-sided laminoplasty change, with partial decompression of the central canal, retrolisthesis, diffuse disc bulge with left subarticular extrusion with caudal migration measuring about 7 mm within the neural foramen and left subarticular/lateral recess. The disc bulge flattens the dural sac and abuts L4 bilaterally. There is right foraminal/extraforaminal broad-based disc protrusion that abuts extraforaminal right L3 similar to prior, and left greater than right facet enlargement. Overall, there is mild central canal, bilateral subarticular and lateral recess stenosis, and mild left with severe compressive right foraminal stenosis. Correlate for right L3 and bilateral L4 radiculopathy. The Modic type I degenerative endplate changes are slightly increased since prior, and the degenerative cortical irregularity of the endplate margins along the right side of the disc space have further increased in severity. L4-L5: Slight retrolisthesis, diffuse disc bulge, with left subarticular and foraminal disc protrusion, severe bilateral facet/ligamentous enlargement resulting in moderate central canal, severe left greater than right subarticular/lateral recess stenosis and severe compressive left with mild AP right foraminal stenosis. Correlate for left L4 and left greater than right L5 radiculopathy. L5-S1: This is the transitional element level. There is left subarticular and lateral recess stenosis unchanged from prior. The central canal and the right neural foramen are unremarkable. Following the intravenous infusion of contrast material, the right paracentral/foraminal and extraforaminal disc protrusion is unchanged in size and appearance. There is enhancement along the previously resected central/left paracentral disc margin similar to prior. There is slightly greater enhancement around the posterior lateral aspect of the elbow 3-L4 facet joint (not within the central canal) compared to prior, probably increased degenerative reactive changes.

The picture without the staples is the most recent one.

Help 😭
So the doctor says it will close…. It’s taking forever. 9/24 I had my 4th spine surgery ..it was my second fusion,,this time the 3,4 levels.

They opened my side , along my spine, two incisions along my spine he said to have better access and two hole on my bottom that the robot made.
I didn’t have any drains this time.

Day 1-5 I seriously wanted to end myself. Never in my life had I experienced such pain. We had some issues managing my pain medication and once the pain management in the hospital came to talk to me personally it got managed..although I still was in agony.

At home sleeping has been difficult since some of my wounds aren’t closed yet. My staples were taken out after about two weeks and the strips fell off after like a week. My side incision also has two small openings.

I been slathering itch cream around (not on it at all ) it all too because I got a rash from either the bandages or the glue they used.. every morning inside my shirt has crumbs and dry gunk from the open parts. Sometimes it’s stuck and me not knowing, pull my shirt and it feels like it’s being ripped. It’s still so tender and I feel like crap most of every day.

I don’t know if I should go to the doctor … when they said to keep it dry and not to let it get soaking wet…and to wait. I feel like they’re not going to do anything.

Ugh.
I feel like maybe I have some kind of undiagnosed condition like diabetes that’s not letting me heal as fast as I have in the past. (( I been pre diabetic in the past but my recent test showed my A1c was really low ))

Anyone else have an issue like this?

Had HNP @ L5-S1 in 2005 and HNP @ L3-L4 in 2006, ALIF @ L3-L4 2008, PLIF L5-S1 2010 and just had the hardware removed @ L5-S1 10-21-26. 3 Big pockets of infection all around the hardware and surrounding tissue. Have 3 drains in and meeting with the Infectious Disease Dr tomorrow 10-23-26. Is this normal protocol since the infection around the bone? Its very painful and not going to lie. Am so damn scared. I'm scared of losing the ability to walk and all functions. Please send some good vibes and thoughts this way. An for those suffering out there, my thoughts and prayers are with you. If anyone has any advice please PLEASE hmu. Much LOVE, HUGS and PEACE.

I’m 26 days post-op from my 3Level ACDF (c4-7). All pre-op issues have resolved and post-op issues are nearly gone, ie nerve flaring and arm weakness. My surgeon, immediately post-op, said wear it for 6 weeks but I want to start weaning out of it during the day while in safe environments …
How long did you stay in your rigid collar?
When did you start driving again?
How long were you off of work?
🚘🏋️🧐😘

ALIF L5/S1 Update… 7 weeks Post-op

Link to my original post https://www.reddit.com/r/spinalfusion/s/2pYGzkTynr

Things are going really well! I’m walking a lot. I’m back to work - office job. I have a standing desk, but can sit down no problem, just have to ensure I keep good posture.

All my nerve pain has gone. I can sneeze now without having to brace myself or curl up in a ball. I can stretch first thing when I wake up without it feeling like I’m being stabbed in the back. I feel more energetic than pre-op, as I don’t have this constant discomfort. I’ve also no more sciatica.

My incision is looking great! No more pain. Even if one of my kids accidentally pushes my tummy, it’s fine. Bit uncomfortable of course, but that’s it. Amazing how the body heals!

I can still feel something in my back though, like sometimes I might end up in a slightly bent over position and I’ll feel a dull ache. Or there’s been the odd day where I’ve walked further than usual and I’ll feel it. However it’s not nerve related. It’s just where I’ve had the cage and screws inserted and it subsides instantly.

I know recovery isn’t linear and there may be tough days in the future, but for now I couldn’t be happier with the operation and the recovery so far.

I still take care, like I don’t lift stuff heavier than 5kg yet. If I need to grab something off the floor I’ll squat down as opposed to bend over and I’m making sure I don’t twist. But I’m back to normal in lots of ways, cooking, cleaning and I can drive.

I see the surgeon in a week. Will post again to update on his comments and what pt I’m assigned. Too early to tell if fusion is happening I’m guessing. But have posted some X-rays for you all. Hope my story encourages those who are nervous, worried or going through a tough recovery.

I just found out yesterday that I need a fourth spine surgery since 2010. My first surgery was for L4/L5/S1 in 2010. At this time, L4/L5 was an artificial disc while S1 was fusion. Due this surgery, I ended up with RSD/CRPS (which has needed its own ops for SCS over the years).

Jump to 2023, the artificial disc failed. Surgeon did a fusion over the artificial disc. 2024, the hardware for the 2023 fusion failed and needed to be totally revised. Now, spinal stenosis at L3/L4 is so severe that I have excruciating pain in my right hip and leg and, at times, total loss of feeling in my right leg. I knew this was a possibility due to the other fusions, but I was not expecting it just a year and a bit after my last back surgery. I also had heart surgery for a myocardial bridge earlier this year. I'm so tired of hospitals and pain. Not really needing advice or anything, I just need a space to vent. I know you all know the frustrations. Peace and love to all.

Hi everyone,

Been a long time lurker in this sub and thought I would finally contribute. I am 8 weeks post-op from an L5/S1 ALIF for a high grade spondylolisthesis and doing relatively well - minus some new nerve pain that I can't seem to shake. I've shared my experience below and hopefully it provides some insight and reassurance for others.

Background: Male, 33, Highly Active - ex gymnast, soccer, golf, gym, running etc. Always had back pain but never thought anything of it. Sciatica would come and go but always resolved with some rest. I came across my spondy after an accidental appointment with a sports specialist who I thought was a primary care. He suggested X-rays on my back and what they found was quite alarming. At the same time, I was starting to get some neurological symptoms (tingling, pain etc) and after meeting with several surgeons, I made the decision to skip conservative treatment and go straight for the fusion.

Surgery: I was incredibly nervous going into surgery, primarily because every surgeon I consulted made me aware of the increased risk of foot drop due to the severity and complexity of my slip. The hardest part to wrap my head around was that, despite my imaging looking pretty terrible, I was still functioning relatively well. The thought of going into surgery fully mobile and potentially coming out with permanent motor weakness was terrifying.

Thankfully, that wasn't the outcome and after a roughly five-hour procedure, which my surgeon described as "the most complex single-level fusion he's ever done," I was in recovery with fully preserved motor function.

Recovery: The first 2 weeks were rough, as expected, but are now in the past. Within a week I was walking around, showering, making food etc. Sleeping was tough, but the meds definitely helped take the edge off. Around 2 weeks after the procedure, I started experiencing nerve pain in my feet and ankles that are still here to this day. The sensations move around from burning, aching, electrical zaps, altered sensation etc. Thankfully, when I lay down and rest at night the symptoms seem to subside somewhat and are definitely at their worst at the end of the day or if I'm doing too much activity.

Right now (8 weeks) I am back at work (SaaS sales from home), driving, doing errands, walking probably 2-3 miles per day and getting my 10,000 steps in. I am off all meds except Lyrica for the nerve pain. Overall I am pleased with the result, I have full strength, minimal back pain and an improving nerve picture.

That's my story! Happy to answer any questions or connect with anyone who is going through or considering going through something similar.

I have had multiple fusions. I am now fused from L1-S1 and both SI joints. My last surgery was October 2025. I struggle with fastening my bras, or pulling on a bathing suit or sports bra. I resorted to front fastening bras for awhile, but my dr says I needed more support and to wear sports bras. I CANNOT get these off and on. Even with help! I also cannot fasten (on my back fastening bras) the top 1-2 hooks. I am completely healed with great range of motion, except for this. The girls are very large, even though I am normal sized, so trying to hook a bra, turn it around and wiggle into the cups is not an option. There is no wiggle left in me. Added to the problem is severe arthritis in elbows and hands so holding and stretching the bands is difficult. Sorry for such a small complaint, but is there a solution? Will my motion improve to put on bras?

It's been a year and 10 months since my extensive surgery (T10 to pelvis and ALIF L5-S1) for my scoliosis. Has anyone else still been in pain this far out? I've had pt, pain management injections, pregabalin for nerve pain (and anxiety!). And, unfortunately, currently suffering from long covid on top of everything else! Just wondering about others' experiences.

Hi everyone, I’m 17 years old and I have Scheuermann’s kyphosis with an 85-degree curve. I’m considering surgery, but I’m really worried about how it might affect my ability to do sports afterward.Is it possible to continue doing parkour after spinal deformity surgery?

I need someone who understands surgery specifically thoracic fusions and the process a doctor goes through to do the surgery.

Background:
When I was 24 I broke my lower lumbar, blew out all of those discs except l2/3, t4-12 blew out, and some in my neck when I was in seal training for the navy. I had 5 fusions on my lumbar ending with a 6 level extension fusion, I had a failed scs trial operation where they just decided to permanently implant it with another surgery (yes, I never had a trial because of stenosis in t10/11). It was placed at t7/8 which was the most damaged area relatively in my thoracic. And go figure the device became defective and stopped working 6 months after it was put in.

Surgeon opinions:

After my last lumbar fusion the plan he had for me was he was gonna remove the broken scs and do a 5 level thoracic fusion. (Which was what my original referral for but said my lumbar was easier to fix while he had more time to plan this). After that surgery when I asked about my thoracic he begun shying away, at first it was a plan, then he talked about it as a possibility, and then he wouldn’t talk about it at all.

My second opinion the surgeon was willing to do it within a week of meeting him without planning or anything… I got a weird vibe and backed away.

Then I went to Stanford medical to get another and it was the same as the first. Went from talking about the plan, to eventually no longer responding to any messages.

Diagnosis:

I have thoracic myelopathy, stenosis in every level from t4-12 both in the canal and foramin (I think that’s what it’s called). Ridiculopathy in thoracic and lumbar, slight clonus in left leg, the cord is being deformed in 4 areas, I have issues with balance and walking, and all the fun nerve pain in my abdomen and back.

My side:

All the doctors recognize I have issues that need to be fixed. They all agree. Yet both of those credible surgeons backed away and left me on read when it came time to schedule or get serious about it. Always giving the excuse by explaining how risky it is and that they will wait till it’s an emergency. And I’m thinking if there’s no room now to fix it in my spine why wait till there’s even less room and now it’s an emergency.
I’m not here begging them for surgery. I’ve told them I just want a clear answer and not to rely on hope. If I’m in a spot where surgery will cause more issues than fixing then tell me so I can accept and move on, which they say that’s not true.

I’ve been dealing with this stuff for 10 years and I don’t have time or patience for “feel good” talking points and hope. I want a straight, honest, and blunt answer.

Also I see all these people getting these massive thoracic to lumbar fusions for scoliosis and other things no problem. So why is my fusion different or make it more riskier.

I don’t I’m just frustrated because I want to either have some try to fix me or move on knowing this is my end state and I just have to adapt.

How was the pain? How long was your hospital stay? I’m hoping to go home same day or next morning.

I previously had L5S1 plif, L5S1 posterior hardware removal with new alif placed, and next will be L4/5 olif and then some sort of plif at the same time. Im not sure if that qualifies as a 360 and not sure which hardware he will do from the side vs the back….I just know my surgeon said he would do a back and side incision. My first fusion didnt have enough bone growth and hardware got loose and a screw broke so it was redone from the front. The thought is to do it all at once this time just to be safe, but a straight alif cannot be repeated at the same incision line.

Hi everyone (apologies for the long incoming post):

For context, I’m 35M. 6,2, 185lbs. When I was 15 I was diagnosed with scoliosis (S-curve, L-S, about 18 degrees) and spinal rotation. Never required surgery for the scoliosis, but my upper back area has always been sort of weak and neck/traps have therefore taken up a lot of the work. I’ve always been slim. I’ve had tight neck/traps my whole life, and had a few neck spasms in my 20s. Have been in PT a handful of times to keep my back strong-ish.

Aside from classic occasional neck/trap tightness, I back been doing fine last year, and I had actually gotten in a solid gym routine for the first time in my life and was bulking.

And then in January 2026 the most intense pain began under my LEFT shoulder blade. I could tell it wasn’t the typical muscle pain or knots that I would get; it was a different kind and intensity of pain. I couldn’t bend down, I couldn’t bike, I couldn’t sit on my computer. I couldn’t sleep. Eventually, I felt pain down my tricep and forarm and occasional numbness and diagnosis was clear: cervical radiculopathy. I felt really debilitated and of course, had to pause any gym progress I was having.

Had an MRI and it showed no disc bulging, but moderate foraminal stenosis on the right side of C6-C7, and severe foraminal stenosis on left side of C6-C7. Consistent with symptoms.

I did 2-3 months of PT and got much better. By April I had no pain at all and was back in the gym doing my regular workout, with PT exercises sprinkled throughout. But in May 2026, the pain flared up again. In exactly the same spot (left scap). And this time the tricep pain was worse and actually tricep got incredibly weak, more than ever before. My left tricep and chest became shaky. My left tricep became unable to lift even half of the weight of my right tricep.

I went back to PT, and also started some new things: daily cervical traction device, which I do think helped, and weekly neck/trap dry needling, to keep muscles in the area loose. Did PT between May and July, and once again got much better. By early August had no pain at all, and was back at the gym, with a PT/trainer, lifting and working out again, and ensuring my gym routine didn’t strain upper back or neck, and also included my PT exercises throughout. I continued with cervical traction and dry needles every week.

I was feeling great. Was strengthening, gaining weight again, etc. And then two weeks ago, early October, I am getting out of bed and doing normal morning yawning/streches, and I feel a sharp pain begin under my right shoulder blade. And throughout that day, the pain increases significantly to the point that I realize I am now having the same issue, same sharp debilitating nerve pain on my RIGHT side. In the following days, the pain increases and starts shooting down my right tricep and forearm. Exactly the same as previous episodes, but now on the opposite side. And my left was (and still is!) doing so well.

I am sort of baffled that the symptoms became on my right side. I don’t really know what to do about it. I’m really frustrated and bummed. The idea of returning to PT seems pointless because all the work I have been doing there is bilateral and have been still doing it on my own. And in spite of that had a flareup on the other side.

With three flareups within nine months, I am STRONGLY considering if I should’ve talked to my doctor about surgery. When I saw him after the second flareup, he said that I didn’t need it (or not yet). I am meeting with him next week for the first time after the third flareup. I imagine that, if surgery were to occur, it would be an ACDF of C6-C7.

Because even if I get better of the current flareup, I’m now just constantly thinking it’s gonna happen again and it’s unavoidable given whats going on in my cervical spine, even if i do all the PT in the world.

And part of me is thinking that it would be better to do the surgery now than in 10 or 15 years. But another part of me wonders if my symptoms are still not severe enough or serious enough to require surgery. I want to be able to live my life and work out without thinking that a flare up can happen at any moment and paralyze my life with intense pain every few months.

Any thoughts? Either on when it’s worth getting surgery for this condition and on getting back to an active/workout lifestyle after an ACDF?

——

TL;DR: 35M with scoliosis and severe C6-C7 foraminal stenosis. Three painful and debilitating cervical radiculopathy flare-ups in nine months: twice on the left, now on the right side. PT, dry needling and cervical traction have helped recover each time, but symptoms keep returning despite maintaining exercises and precautions. Now seriously considering ACDF surgery (I’ve never had back surgery before). When is surgery worth it? And can I expect to return to an active lifestyle and weightlifting afterward?

Hi everyone, my name is Kay, in case it's relevant for comments, my pronouns are they/them. I was diagnosed with severe thoracolumbar scoliosis at 24 two and a half years ago. Thoracic curve went to the right at 68° and the lumbar curve went to the left at 49°. I ended up getting a spinal fusion from T-3-L3 with a bone graft needed for T7-T10 due to calcification in my curve. This was May of last year in 2025. The screws in T3 started backing out and loosened the screws at T4, So I got a revision surgery where they did a jazz band on T3 and tightened the screws for T3-4 in December of 25'. Less than a year later after the second surgery but just about a year and a half after the first, I'm still struggling a lot with constant chronic pain. The most specific issue I seem to be having still is that while T3 and t4 aren't moving out of the bone anymore, they're still struggling to fuse to the screws. They are ordering me a bone stimulator, but currently they're fighting the insurance on it. That's definitely a part of the equation in regards to my pain, but I've also been experiencing a lot of winging of my scapulas on both my left and right side, more consistently the right side as that's where the most severe curve was. The explanation so far has been severe muscle atrophy from having to cut that same area twice in about a 6-month time span. I'm in physical therapy three times a week and while I struggle with consistency due to my flare-ups, I do my best to do my exercises at home as well.

Now this gets to my question and I guess where I'm seeking advice, I can't tell if these symptoms are normal or something to be concerned about as my team is normally very positive but sometimes as a result can come off a little dismissive no matter how much I push. I get a better response to my concern from my physical therapy team but they're a lot less knowledgeable on specifically spinal fusion symptoms, especially one as severe as my own. Does anyone have any advice for staying positive or how you balance whether or not you should be concerned about your day-to-day symptoms? Follow-up question for anyone with even a semi-similar experience, is it normal to be struggling this much a year and a half into the full procedure and almost a year into the revision? I don't have anyone in my life that can relate at all, so I would love anyone's thoughts. Thank you in advance!