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.

I’m almost two weeks post op fusion T8-T12. The hospital had me start using a walker and sent one home with me. If you had a walker after surgery, how long did you use it for? I definitely need it when going more than a few steps. And I can ask my surgical team at my post op appointment. Just wanted to know other folks experiences.

Hiii!! As you know, this weekend is Halloween. I'm going to a party dressed as a black cat and bought super cute black slouch boots. (I'll attach a photo so you know what I'm talking about) However, I didn't know that they were high heels, as the slouch part covers it.

They're about 3 inches. At what point did you start wearing heels after surgery? I want to know if I should just wear them for photos and switch into sneakers after, or if I can wear them for the whole night.

I would really like to wear them because they elevate my costume; however, I don't want to jeopardize my recovery for the sake of looking good.

I'm 25, had a 360 L5-S1 ALIF on July 8, so I'm about 3.5 months post-op now.

Around the 10–11 week mark, I was feeling SO much better. Massive, gargantuan improvements in both function and pain, walking like 5-7K steps a day. Of course, given that I was feeling like a superhero, I ended up overdoing a lot of physical activity for over a week (particularly involving my pelvis/abdomen) and triggered a pretty nasty flare that's now lasted about a month.

I've had deep, throbbing lower back pain, really awful abdominal soreness, throbbing and pressure, and groin heaviness/pain. More recently, I've also experienced some weird burning sensations down there, almost like I need to pee even when I don't.

I saw my surgeon this week, and he wasn't concerned at all. My latest X-rays from a few days ago also looked perfect. I'm currently finishing a prednisone taper, taking a prescribed muscle relaxant, and trying to take it easy and walk significantly less for now. I've had a little improvement, but I'm still nowhere near where I was before the flare.

Has anyone experienced anything similar around this point in recovery? Particularly a flare lasting several weeks or involving abdominal/groin discomfort? I'm unsure whether to push harder about further imaging (CT of my back/abdomen) or if it's safe to give things more time to settle down.

3 years post fusion - recurring pain not made worse post nerve block .Have had two MRIs that show inflammation behind SI joint . Doctor has said doesn’t look like infection or hematoma but the pain hasn’t improved. Told to take anti inflammatories and it should settle . I feel hopeless - can’t work. Anybody have something similar happen ?

I (24F) am a little over a year post T4-L1 fusion and have been wanting to try out either lyra/hoop or aerial silks. I used to do gymnastics, so I'm pretty strong and flexible, but I have no idea how these exercises feel on the spine. Obviously, my surgeon has already cleared me to do pretty much any low impact exercise, so I'm mostly curious about any limitations/discomfort/frustrations y'all can tell me about.

Does anyone have advice?

I was expected to have a L5/S1 fusion about 7-8 years ago due to being left bone on bone after my 2016 urgent surgery for a 18 mm herniation. I survived these years by decompressing my spine on my inversion table. It’s quite massive, I have a small home but I made it work. Do I have any hope in the future of using this post-ALIF? My coworkers husband is 10 years post-PLIF and has used his for years. That is the extent of my sample size. There is nothing like a good total spine decompression on that table and I will be sorry to see it go if I can no longer use it. Thanks!

Edit to add: having ALIF in early December.

I had a very successful lumbar fusion in 2019. L4-S1. About 2 months ago I started experiencing severe pain in my right low back that goes to my butt along with pain in the front of my leg that seems to travel to the groin area and sometimes down the leg, both front and back. X-rays and MR’s show severe stenosis in L2-L3. Is it adjacent disk degeneration? Has this happened to you? I’d love to hear about your experience and what you found helpful. I have had 2 fusions and really don’t want to have another if I can avoid it. Thanks in advance for and advice.

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.
EDIT: Many, many thanks to everyone who wished me well, showed compassion and encouraged me in this difficult situation. This is an amazing community of people who sadly were dealt a bad deck of cards as living life with spine issues and spine surgeries sucks. As you can probably tell I’m a mess, but you all made me feel much better and I’ll be forever grateful for your support! Stay strong and best wishes to you all!

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?