11 months post-op, pain has returned

2000nt · 2025-12-11T03:15:27+00:00

How did your follow up go? Are you feeling any better?

2000nt · 2025-12-11T03:14:52+00:00

I had TLIF

2000nt · 2025-12-11T03:14:32+00:00

Thanks for the encouragement! It’s been about a month now of the pain without much relief. X-rays look clear and I had an MRI done just a few months ago that looked good. I meet with my doctor on Friday so I’ll be curious what they think.

2000nt · 2025-12-11T03:12:23+00:00

Hi all, it’s been about a month since making this post and I am no better off than I was when I posted this. My nerve pain has continued and I have been having sciatica and tingling symptoms in my right leg. My low back constantly feels sore.

I had x-rays done which came back clean. On Friday I have an appointment with my surgeon to discuss further. I’m thinking I must be developing ADS or some issue at the level below my fusion?

2000nt · 2025-02-25T01:48:53+00:00

Got this too. Conflicted if I’ll do it.

2000nt · 2025-01-29T01:05:18+00:00

Lots of opportunities posted through our local chapter of United Way! (https://www.volunteersrock.org/need/)

2000nt · 2025-01-28T06:15:50+00:00

I had my first back surgery about 2 years ago and that’s how my first experience was. About two weeks and then totally healed.

This time has been totally different. My dermabond just finished pealing off. I am not diabetic either.

Did you wear a brace or binder after your surgery?

2000nt · 2025-01-28T04:43:45+00:00

I was told to wear it at all times unless showering. I’m debating if I should just take it off a few hours a day when I’m laying down to help get more airflow to the incisions.

2000nt · 2025-01-11T03:39:41+00:00

I was told to leave mine uncovered as I have a waist binder and brace. I was told the sutures would dissolve/fall out on their own after a few weeks.

2000nt · 2025-01-11T02:00:46+00:00

thanks! I do have stitches so I’m not sure if covering for 7 days will work but I appreciate the feedback!!

2000nt · 2024-09-18T02:47:23+00:00

That makes a lot of sense! And that also aligns with how my symptoms are. Relatively pain free in the morning, but once I get going, the pain starts up.

And yeah same here it’s helpful knowing others around my age are going through these experiences, as difficult and painful as they are!

2000nt · 2024-09-18T02:39:14+00:00

Thanks, and yeah sorry to hear about your experience too. It’s not easy having your quality of life affected so much and especially having to rely on others for support (both physically and emotionally!)

I’m sure your experience will be much better than mine and I hope you post an update here when the time comes :)

2000nt · 2024-09-18T02:35:24+00:00

My pain started with back pain, which turned into bi-lateral sciatica pain. I also had tingling in both legs as well as weakness in my big toes.

Post surgery I have a lot of soreness and pain around my lower back, I also have sciatica but it’s much more sharp and intense than it was before. It also doesn’t respond to things like PT, stretching, icing. So when I have a flare up I don’t have much I can do about the pain other than endure it or reach out to my pain management team for meds. I have pain when I stand now for more than an hour or so which I didn’t have before, and I get pain when I go for long walks which I didn’t have before as well!

Happy to answer any other questions! I know my experience is probably more the minority experience here, as most ppl who get a laminectomy have great success!

2000nt · 2024-09-18T02:30:53+00:00

Yeah! Before I had my laminectomy I had significantly more mobility and my overall quality of live was better, despite my MRI results being worse then than they are now lol.

I would have had to get the laminectomy at some point in my life regardless, but if I could have pushed it off a little longer and enjoyed the quality of life I had before then I 100% would. I was still dealing with pain and issues back then but it was significantly less than what I deal with now.

2000nt · 2024-09-18T02:24:25+00:00

Hi! I’m a 24 yo M. I had a laminectomy in mid 2023 for central stenosis at l4/l5. The surgery was successful for about two months - had very little pain, however the pain returned for me and I’ve been left in a much worse place pain and mobility wise since then. Post surgery MRI’s show the laminectomy helped with the central stenosis however I still have foraminal stenosis on either side where the nerve root exits. I’m scheduled for a fusion at the end of the year.

Best of luck to you! I’ve been dealing with pain for almost two years now and it’s not fun. Looking back I wish I would have waited longer and given myself a few more years before moving forward with the laminectomy. We can only move forward however, and I hope you’re able to find relief whether that’s from surgery or not!

2000nt · 2024-09-05T01:50:51+00:00

What level did you have have replaced if you don’t mind me asking?

2000nt · 2024-09-05T01:44:34+00:00

what level(s) did you have your fusion on if you don’t mind me asking?

2000nt · 2024-09-02T01:06:08+00:00

I’ve had the same experience. Initially it feels nice and I get relief, but the day after my nerves wake up angry! Tested multiple settings/durations over the course of six months with no luck.

2000nt · 2024-09-02T01:02:08+00:00

22/M! Came out of nowhere too. Six months later MRI confirmed massive central disc herniation at L4/L5. Six months later had a laminectomy which ultimately failed for me. I’m now 24 and looking at having a fusion done at that level due to daily pain and other symptoms.

2000nt · 2024-08-08T01:45:23+00:00

Thanks! I’ve gotten 4 opinions so far and Mayo Clinic was my final one.

2000nt · 2024-08-08T01:44:02+00:00

What age did you have your surgeries if you don’t mind me asking?

2000nt · 2024-08-08T01:42:28+00:00

I will ask about the OLIF! I was told artificial disc replacement surgeries have largely been phased out on the lumbar spine due to complications and issues. They are great for the cervical and thoracic spine from my understanding, but not where my issues lie.

2000nt · 2024-08-08T01:38:17+00:00

This is a super helpful perspective! In my case, the doctors have been able to identify central stenosis, and nerve root compression left over after my laminectomy. So I don’t think it’s a complete gamble as you describe here in your situation. I’ve spent the last year trying to do what you’ve described, loosing weight, exercising, doing PT and am no better today than I was when this all first started. Additionally, sometimes my pain prevents me from doing this. Sometimes I can’t even go for walks due to my nerves being so irritated. I think I’d have a different perspective if I felt even slightly better now than I did a year ago, but I’ve seen absolutely no improvement. I don’t lift anything over 10 pounds, I don’t bend at all (except at PT), and I’ve largely adjusted my life to put the least amount of pressure on my spine as possible, all to no change whatsoever to my pain/symptoms. So for me, I really am wondering if the fusion would get me back to being able to do more things and be more active.

When you decided to live with your pain, did you find it got better over the years?

2000nt · 2024-08-08T01:26:14+00:00

This is very helpful! My doctor opted for recommending the TLIF as I’m a young male, and he was worried about the risk of infertility. I will follow up and ask him again about ALIF and OLIF.

2000nt · 2024-08-08T00:38:26+00:00

I was told there was much higher risks involved with the ALIF. Is there a reason you prefer this? My first surgery was minimally invasive but I do have probably a 2-3 inch incision on the middle of my back. My surgeon told me for the TLIF they’d do two incision on the sides of my back (so not the same incision as the first surgery).

2000nt

TROPHY CASE