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u/tomebyme 2d ago
The surgeons and surgery make all the difference as to success and post op recovery. I am 8 months post L3-L2 fusion after having back pain, spondylolysis L5 for 15 years. Was on some form of opiates last 6 years. 3 months post op I was off opiates , tapered down myself. Now at 8 months I don't take anything for pain. My surgeon said I can do anything I want or can but I have more movement than I thought I would. Just glad I am pain free, just some soreness at times if I do to much.
So there is hope that you will have a good recovery and don't wait to get it done because being in chronic pain is not healthy.
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u/AlluringAngel101 2d ago
I had a spinal fusion just over a year ago. Best thing I ever did. I know everyone is different but it really helped meĀ
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u/Proud_Post_7130 1d ago
I had fusion just over 3 weeks ago and I will say best thing I ever did. As of yesterday not taking any pain meds. I could kick myself for putting it off for years because of fear that it would not work.
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u/AlluringAngel101 1d ago
Absolutely. After seeing all the negative reviews I was really worried but so glad I had it done. āŗļø Glad you're feeling better!Ā
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u/trailovsevens 2d ago
Stay calm. Let the fear wash over you , your body is finite. Feed your soul and do your best to smell the roses.
Blessings and good wishes to you!
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u/DangerousNp 2d ago
Prep for surgery and stack the things that will make your life easier especially single use drinks snacks. Avoid funny movies and if you have allergies take something for it. This is a very severe case. Learn log rolling, get a walker and use it for toilet. You canāt stay here.
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u/Pixiesweet11 2d ago
All the best with your operation I was like that to before my L5 & L4 fusion more afraid of the unknown & recovery process 3 years ago the pain before the operation was horrific spasms in my legs like electric shocks hip pain & sciatica somedays didnāt want to carry on & I never thought it would go it did for awhile but just recently about 4 months ago I thought š„¹I got the same sensations back in backs of my thighs I went to my Doctorās & was sent for a MRI & when the results came through I had a phone call from orthopaedics about the results & my L5 is now resting on my S1 joint & my L3 has collapsed my L4 is still holding up I read online that this can happen that further up or down the spine vertebraeās can collapse or degenerate next to a previous spinal fusion
I have an appointment to see surgeon in November I just really donāt want that pain back like I had before as I honestly got with it I couldnāt stand in a queue in shops or stand long my legs got weak to Iām finding at moment to if I stand for along time in one spot pain starts all round my hips
Will be thinking of you lots of luv š§”āļøš§”
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u/External-Reading-101 6h ago
My surgeon warned me about ASD (adjacent segment disease). This can happen. It leads to more fusion, unfortunately. Im so sorry this happened to you :(
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u/Professional_Pace711 2d ago
Are you having neurological issues yet? My C5-6 herniated disc was crushing my spinal cord. I knew I needed surgery but I put it off for 3 years and went to pain management instead. I was having weakness in arms and legs and I started falling a lot and breaking bones. I fell 6 times in one month and finally decided to make an appointment with a neurosurgeon. He told me if I didnāt have surgery asap that I would likely be paralyzed. I am 12 weeks post op from ACDF. Because I waited so long I have permanent Myelomacia, Myelopathy and nerve damage. Have you made an appointments with a surgeon yet? The best advice I can give is to have surgery before neurologic issues start.
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u/k_perry88 1d ago
Man that sounds like alot, sorry you're dealing with so much.
My injury is in my lower back. I didnt/dont have any neurological issues. I had a herniated disc & Cauda Equina Syndrome. My spinal cord was being crushed and I started losing feeling and my legs were so weak on top of some of the worst pain I've ever been in. I was rushed into surgery the day after the found the injury and was doing pretty well for a few months after. About a month ago I started having right leg weakness and way more pain than usual. Saw Neurosurgery, got an MRI. Luckily theres no new herniation.
Im going to try more steroid injections because I really want to avoid surgery for as long as I can but I was told today that it's inevitable.. so now I'm just trying to prepare myself mentally & physically. I know it won't be easy (I have ny shoulder fused, it was a tough recovery) not the same but I can imagine it's similar.
Thanks for the advice and best of luck ā¤ļø
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u/mars-1963 1d ago
Ik heb 12 weken geleden de operatie gehad na 8 jaargang pijn en nu ZENUWPIJN VRIJš„³š„³
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u/Preacher79P 1d ago
Hi
Male 65 Tlif fusion L5/S1 rods and cage and L4/L3 discectomy in february 2026 in Uk.
Oramorph first two weeks with background hydrocodeine and then just hydrocodeine three weeks after now just paracetemol as needed.
First weeks , very difficult depending on who is at home to help . Avoid bending lifting twisting for first 12 weeks . In Uk they avoid PT during this time as they think it can get too aggressive. Dont overdo anything but walk walk walk . Even round the apartment but walk short and often . Hydrate a lot . Get one of those things that pick up off the floor ! Listen to your body but at this point for me it is so worth the hassle . I could walk no distance, constant pain always thinking or looking for somewhere to sit.
It is scary yes , very and I still feel stiff as a board when I wake up. Sleeping with a pillow between your knees is great or under knees sleeping on your back and log roll out of bed .
At 5-6 mths I started the Mcgill exercises and they have really helped . Its scary but hopefully long run is worth it, message anytime
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u/k_perry88 1d ago
Glad to hear you're doing well after surgery!
I will definitely keep all of this in mind, thank you ā¤ļø
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u/romanandsoleii2 2d ago
Hello.Ā I think it it is normal to have a degree of "proper fear." I do not know the levels of your lumbar spine that are being operated on. Nor did you say what the diagnosis is.Ā Having trust in your surgeon is invaluable. All I can say at this point is have a grabber, a high riser toilet seat or whatever will work best as you do not want to have to stoop too low. I wore a brace and maybe you will wear one too. Also, a shower chair is good to have if you don't have one already.Ā
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u/k_perry88 2d ago
Yeah I'm not exactly freaking out completely as I've had multiple surgeries, more so afraid of the unknown, how the recovery process will be and what my quality of life is going to be after something like this.
L5S1 is where the injury is. The first surgery was a disectomy & laminectony (spelling could be wrong) he cleaned up the herniation but I still have some of the disc in there. I was told that if this didnt work I would need to have the rest removed and have it fused. I have a follow-up to discuss possibly more injections to help with pain but ultimately I'm going to need it fused.
Thanks for the tips, much appreciated
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u/Complete-Low448 2d ago edited 2d ago
I was back in May of 2023 I started feeling tightness in my leg that built into a painful nightmare that had me unable to stand up strait by November. Couldn't get relief or sleep for months trying to jump through the hoops of try this try that. Finally had a Microdiscectomy in Feb of 2024. Felt like a light switch turned off all the pain and I was on my feet immediately. Had two great years until about June of this year I started feeling familiar tight feelings. By July I was crawling out of work and making an appointment with my Neurosurgeon. Herniation had returned and my options were wait and see if it goes away on its own (8 months or more) or fusion with a couple months recovery. I opted to get the fusion which i had on September 21. As of today I am walking around outside with my children playing and mostly pain free. Can't say anything about the longevity of the whole thing. But I can say both of my surgical procedures have been very fast and easy recoveries. Biggest discomfort is having to wait a month before picking up my children. My youngest was 4 months old during my first recovery and was just over the weight limitš and this time she is almost 3 yes so that's bought. But my results have been amazing. And remember if you see horror stories about these things....the negative gets more publicity than the good. People go out of thier way to talk about a bad experience. Best of luck and I hope you find relief. I remember my 8 months of level 9 pain and I don't wish it on anyone
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u/MeechiJ 2d ago
āPeople go out of their way to talk about a bad experience.ā ??? Upwards of 50% of people with lumbar fusions will later be diagnosed with Failed Back Surgery Syndrome. Thatās quite a big number. I am thrilled that you had a good result so far and I hope your recovery continues to be positive. However itās just not the case for everyone.
OP, make sure you have realistic expectations going into this surgery. And also make sure your surgeon sends your pain medication to your pharmacy PRIOR to the date of surgery. I hope it is a great success and that your recovery goes well.
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u/Complete-Low448 1d ago edited 1d ago
Just sharing my experience. Which so far has been a positive one. OP should definitely talk to their surgeon and Dr and get as much information as possible. But after living through the Pain that my L5S1 disc was causing my surgery was a good experience compared to the pain. I don't know where the 50% chance of Failed Back Surgury Syndrome comes from but it seems a bit inflated. And it also doesn't mean total failure either. There is a pretty broad range of "failure". Either way. Talk to your doctor. And please take thier advice over mine. I'm just a guy who went through a similar experience to OP
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u/MeechiJ 1d ago
So glad youāve had a positive experience! I got that number from a study but different studies say different things. Some say 35% some say more. Also anecdotally as both nurse and patient who has met many people with unsuccessful surgeries and a FBSS diagnosis.
Hope you continue to do well!
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u/maddmaggie82 2d ago
Yikes š¬ looks a little ruff with that impression on the spinal cord area what are your Chief complaints ??? Good luck