Hi Donna.I am a 71 year old female. I had a 2 fusion surgery L3/4 and L4/5 9 weeks ago. Also with a neurosurgeon. I had a minimally invasive procedure called ILIF which included spacers in my spine. I had severe spinal stenosis and spondylolisthesis. Suffered nerve damage in buttocks and legs prior to the surgery. The only med. I take is Tylenol. Back pain is gone but still have the nerve damage Doctor said at least 6 months. I do a lot of walking as well as water aerobics and will begin PT next week. Hoping I will get my life back. Wondering how long it will take.
I had a lamenectomy and lumbar spinal fusion done just 4 weeks ago. Since some of you have gone through this I have a question I continue to have a lot of fluid build up. The fluid had been draining out of the top of the incision but now is trapped under the skin. when I touch the bottom of the wound, you can see the skin rise going toward the top of the wound. I have type 2 diabetes and was wondering if this is a common thing to happen. I see the doctor in the morning for my concerns but wondered if anyone could tell me if they had the same experience with fluid. There appears to be no infection, no bad smells to the fluid, and the wound appears to be healing ok. So why all the fluid? Any help would be appreciated as I am becoming increasingly worried. Thanks. (By the way, this surgery was no walk in the park !) I thought I would die before the severe pain went away.
Lynn, I am also 63 with high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes . My wound is having a hard time healing. After a month from the surgery for the spinal fusion I am now being seen by home health care to pack the would with "mesalt" to try to get it to close. The doctor had to cut open my surgery site because of excessive fluid. I've only had them here 2 times but I understand after 2 weeks they should see some improvement and some healing begin. The doctor took a deep biopsy to see what kind of infection may be present also. So far I haven't heard from him but IF this is due to an infection, they will change from the mesalt to an antibiotic to pack the open wound with. Good luck dear. This has been the worse experience of my life. I hope you do better than I have.
I have been a massage therapist and hair stylist for 30 years , which ruined my back, then I had a bad fall in my home . And the severe pain began,
i had my surgery on l 4 and l 5 and s1 with bone great from my right hip ,
my surgery was april14,2015. My surgeon told me that I would fine in six weeks. I am now in my ninth month and have severe pain in my back and right hip, my surgeon has released me , and I don't know what to do,I have
finally almost stopped having leg cramps, I started physical therapy a few months ago but he was too aggressive and ripped a tendon in my right hip . I just had my 70th birthday, and I have always worked hard so it is driving me crazy having so much pain just in my normal day. Also just set before my surgery, I recently got married, just wondering how long does it take to stop having so much pain? I do not take medication, it works funny with he , I feel that my doctor released me too soon. Does any one have any answers for me ? Some encouragement maybe? I feel for all of you and
you all the very best recovery ,
hello, i just joined this forum. It'll be 3 years in July that I had a laminectomy, nerve decompression and bone fusion at L4-5. I have never been the same since. I have servere sciatic discomfort, my lower back muscles and glutes are in chronic spasm along with my hamstrings and hips. Nothing helps. I choose not to take any narcotics of any kind. Stretching relieves it a litte but it's constant. I'm considering another surgery but afraid it'll just be the same... anyone have same issues?
Hi Bonnie, how are you doing now? I am new to the forum and just recently began researching back surgery. My mom who is 76 is going through consult for it. She has had problems for at least 10/15 yrs and taking Vicodin to stop the pain. She has a dropped foot or the big toe and one next to it. What caught my eye in your post was the patient part. My mom isn't...and she's a neat freak who cleans, vacuums and bends down to pick weeds too?! Are you better? Was the surgery a good choice?
Hopefully your not having problems with fusion...have you had xrays since surgery...I only ask because I had my surgery 2 1/2 yrs ago unfortunately bottom screws have not fused with bone so I am now on crutches as spine won't hold me up and if I try to walk without crutches I have terrible lower back pain...They have suggested I have a full rod down length of spine into pelvis now...They will put bone from cadarva onto pelvic bone both sides to strengthen pelvic bone to accept screws...I am trying to find someone I can talk to who has had this procedure to see what their quality of life is like...
Hi Sandra
I had a laminectomy decompression at L4 /5 back in Feb of this year. I was recommended the fusion but chose not to have it. All I can tell you is it takes time! 8 weeks is nothing! The pain in the buttocks etc is very normal. I still have pain and it is 6 months on. I do t think they give enough info about post op... Do try to look on some us websites for spinal recovery after this op. It takes up to a year to heal, you are just at the beginning of your healing. Do be careful with your move me and rest.
All best to you with your recovery
Ann2402
That's meant to say movement! Not move me!!
Sandra, I don't know what your status is now, a year after surgery, but this is my 1st time on this website so I've jseen your entry.
I had a hemilaminectomy at L3, 4 and 5 ten months ago. The recovery has been intense,with some symptoms improving and new symptoms popping up. My doctor says that with back surgery, the pain moves from the low back to the legs, feet and arms, not following any sequence. While one pain goes away, others take its place.
For the 1st 3 months, sitting, especially bathroom sitting was excruciating. Sitting in general, finally improved, by using an office chair back rest, made of very dense memory foam. After that, it was painful getting up from a chair for 3 months, then I had hard muscle spasms in the calves, then pain in the toes and fingers. Never all places at once. It was a progression and part of the healing process.
I have been in Physical Therapy for 1 1/2 years, first trying to avoid surgery and then as part of my recovery. It's made all the difference, especially the "Dry Needling" PT technique that they started me on 1 month ago! What a God send!
It's not like accupuncture, where the needles are intended to interupt nerve (pain) signals. These needles are inserted in the muscle that's spasmed - the site of the main pain - for me the buttocks. The needles break up the spasm and by the time I leave the PT office, that pain is gone. If the pain returns to a lesser degree the process is repeated. This technique has been around for 10 years, but it is new to our small town. I highly recommend it
The physical therapist also has me doing 5 - 6 exercises to build my core. Exercises resolved the hip pain that wrapped around into the buttock, when I walked. Now I walk without pain. Stress on the lower back has now activated upper back pain, so now I'm having new pain - in the last joints of my hands. What a long process!
I hope this helps! Let me/us know h'ow you're doing.
I had a laminectomy of the L4 L5 S1 May 3 2016. I AM 50 years old. The pain before surgery was the pinching of my nerves up and down my right leg and buttocks. ALSO laying in bed on back with a pillow between my legs for 2 hours a night the rest in a chair for 3 was the only way I could get relief. Post op my right leg getting numb at times and all across my back severe pain keeps me up all night so so sad. Everyone sleeping comfortably but me.
My surgery cured the numbness in my toes but my leg starting to feel bad again. As for pain across my back Im not sure if this is muscle spasm or ligament damage. But I swear its so severe I wake up at 2am in tears. I refuse pain meds because I thought sugery would cure me. What living hell have I got myself in. I BEEN like this for 2 years had gotten laid off and thats when all the problems started.
Please anyone why cant I lay on my back for more than a hour before I have to put pillows between my legs. Why is this so painful. IM up at 4am every morning sitting in chair with blankets trying to rest and it's still painful. It almost feels like im being bent over backwards in my sleep. Please anyone going through this? Any suggestions? Any directions? I cannot continue my life this way. Im supposed to have another Xray and 2 Mri next week.
HE better have some answers. Pretty sad coming from a 16 year old guy worked until he was 50. Never asked or begged for nothing and thats where Im at now fussing with Ss. Please contacr me for any possible solutions.
Hi, I'm sorry to here about your pain I've been where you been al the restless nights. I had a 2 spinal fusions in 2014 had to get the second surgery because the two of my screws broke and I was still experiencing leg pain from the pinch nerve. All can say the second surgery worked for my leg pain which was the worst for me, but I still get back pain but not as bad. I don't regret the surgery because my pain was a lot worse. I don't know if this will help but the only way my doctor could tell my screws were broken was through the xray on the side in a bending .
position. I hope you get better.
Hi breally7...i have to lay on back with legs slightly bent with folded pillow under joint...cant sleep any other way....nerve damage after op left me with numb buttocks and down right leg...this went on for over 12mnths then sensation started coming back so sleep like me and hold on in ther as sensation comes back slowly over time as nerves mend...unfortunately the surgergy doesnt always get rid if all the pain so some pain relief is sometimes the only restbite you will get from it...i found that taking the pain relief b4 the pain gets bad is best way as if you then take it on 4/6 hourly basis its pain management...always better to have it in your system rather than taking it because your in pain...hope this helps...laurie
Hi tamel15202....well i saw surgeon yesterday and we discussed cementing screws in but it can only be done if screws havnt put hole right thru bone as nerves at back of bone wld be irriversably damaged by leaking cement...he has done this quite succesfully he said...only problem i have now b4 he will even consider testing bones for holes is my osteoporosis has gotten worse hence fracture in pelvis whichwhich hasnt fused so now i have to see another surgeon who specialises in pelvic surgery to see if i need a plate in pelvis to join fracture but the problem ther cld be that osteoporosis cld stop screws in plate from fusing to bone...banging head on table at this point...anyway i obviously was a bit upset at all this and he reassured me it cld be sorted out..he said the meds im on arnt doing what needs to be done to strengthen bones so he wants bone density scan to see what state bones are in and how to fix problem...i didnt realise it cld be fixed butbut he reassures me it can...so thats wer im up to..waiting for scan and appt with other surgeon...then just to cheer me up i had appt at my docs as ive found a lump under arm pit. .after examination i was told it isis attached to my right breast so im waiting for appt at Linder McCartney centre for tests...bummer....laurie x
Hello i'm looking for some advice my friend had pins and rods put in his back #4 also had the infusion done his surgery was on June13th he was sent home on the 16th was doing fine getting around slowly went for a check up on the 29th of June by the July 1st had so much pain went to the er gave him some shots not good with the names of meds but i know it was muscle relaxers and valium he actually walked comes home and keep giving him muscle relaxers of course by mouth he's in so much pain in buttock and hip and legs they did xrays said everything is fine any suggestions please
There's no way around it. Narcotics and muscle relaxers are 80% worthless. Has to fight. I know I'm late commenting but get into therapy asap. Elevate legs with heat and take the diazapam when at night. You must really take it easy. BUT CAUTION to the wind. It may never be the same. Diet if obese, and little exercises at night.
I had spinal L5 S1 Spinal Fusion on June 27, 2016. From the sound of the entries I am very early in recovery stage. I have a question - has anyone else experienced skin sensitivity? I have what almost feels like a raw and bad sunburn on my hips / buttocks area. There is no redness or other markings - just extremely sensitive / painful skin. This is irritated even more by the back brace.
Thank you!
Hi, lorilee...It may be the back brace it self i to
experienced that too my back brace is plastic inside
And caused me to sweat then my skin became irritated. So I just tried wearing it only when walking only. I hope this help .
I am 2 1/2 months after major surgery. I too am having increased lower back pain but it feels more muscular. What you said about your hips hit home. My right hip hurts and almost feels like it's slipping. I was on line to see if anyone else was having similar, post op pains. I am seriously considering PT even though my surgeon said nothing about it. Still going to call my patient advocate Monday morning, just to be on the safe side! Any one have any helpful remarks on this topic?
Yes. I had L345 fusion and laninectomy. July 2016. My numb symptoms went away. But I have back pain now upon standing walking more than 20 minutes. Does it get better? Did yours get better. I am 65, very healthy and active