Hi,
My name is Trina and I am new to this forum.
Although I had my spinal fusion 12 years ago, I still have a variety of issues to contend with. I experience sciatica, my legs will just jump and/or twitch at random, I have muscle spasms in my legs and my buttocks as well as pain in my feet, low back and hips. This pain wraps around my waist to my abdomen.
I have heard conflicting recommendations concerning lifetime restrictions following a fusion. I am very careful and do not bend, twist, lift heavy objects or do anything of the sort. I believe taking these precautions has helped me avoid another surgery up to this point; however, I do have a herniation directly above my fusion. In addition, because I have a internal derangement of the knee with loss of fluid and herniated discs at levels 5 and 6 in my neck as well as spinal stenosis. Due to these issues, I was told not to reach or squat. And because of my L5/S1 fusion with titanium rods, I was told not to bend, twist or lift heavy items.
My mom keeps telling me about all these people she knows with fusions or who underwent back surgery who are doing great and do not have any pain whatsoever. Of course, I never meet these people and when I ask if they are taking heavy pain killers, she has no idea. I will not take pain medication unless it is absolutely necessary; instead I use natural remedies such as ice, massage and heat to reduce my pain.
Furthermore, chances are, these people that she knows did not have their spinal cord pinned, requiring that it be pried free by the neurosurgeon: The truth is, I am lucky to be walking because this was a surprise and not discovered until the surgical procedure was well under way.
Is there anyone else out there who has experienced this kind of spinal cord problem? I think my spinal cord become pinched while a student chiropractor was adjusting my back. The bed fell unexpectedly, at which time I felt an ‘X’ of pain directly over the lumbar region of my spine. As the pain continued, it became worse when I stood up (because that is when my spinal cord was really getting pinched).
My mother keeps telling me that I take it ‘too’ easy. She says that I should be able to ‘ride a roller coaster’ now that I have a fusion. I take no chances; therefore, I will not ride a bike, roller skate, ice skate, go bowling, jump on trampolines or ride the bumper cars. However, I am tired of debating her, so I would like to know what other people with lumbar fusions have to say.
If you have a fusion; do you still experience pain? If so, how frequently? Is it daily? Do you take pain medication? Do you participate in the activities that I avoid? Have you ever fallen? If so, did it cause any problems with your fusion?