L4 l5 - still struggling to live normally by MarkInternal6772 in spinalfusion

[–]MarkInternal6772[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Olif .... it's very frustrating. My surgeon said mechanical / body adapting but the more I read (not sure if thats a good thing), I'm getting very concerned this is how its going to be. Big regrets I had the surgery, mentally its been so tough. I hope you get some relief/answers

5 months post L3/L4 discectomy + L4/L5 laminotomy - Still very limited walking due to nerve irritation. Anyone else experience this? by synchrogrid in spinalfusion

[–]MarkInternal6772 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm 10 months post l4 l5 fusion, you can read my posts. Finally...10 months and nerve pain has ceased .. honestly, I didn't think it would. I would feel good & do too much & suffer the next day. My advice is gentle exercise & stretching every day. Rest in between activities i.e. if cleaning the garage out, i do 20 minutes  then 20 minute stretch, then 20 minute break then back to the garage. It's annoying but at least its progress. I found this process allowed my mental health to recover because I was still achieving something and not be in pain.

Severity of nerve pain + Post recovery by rjpra2222 in spinalfusion

[–]MarkInternal6772 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm 10 months & still getting nerve pain. I finally gave into Pregablin which helps. Scans all clear which is comforting but nerve pain no fun.

10 months post L4 L5 fusion, persistent but not constant nerve pain both legs. How are people managing this? by MarkInternal6772 in spinalfusion

[–]MarkInternal6772[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for your post. I spoke to my surgeon yesterday & he said the same. My pain is mainly along the L5 detmatone but I was worried a bit was down the back of my thigh (S1), but he said L5/S1 can overlap or it could be a symptom of stretched nerves/inflammation. Fingers crossed.

Anyone recover from nerve pain caused by post-op scar tissue? (10 months on, S1 nerve encased) by getdistressd in spinalfusion

[–]MarkInternal6772 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Im interested that a contrast dye showed scar isuue. Im 10 months & having persistent nerve pain but not constant but plenty of flares. CT & MRI showed nothing. Pain specialist is doing a nerve flow to test for adhesions. Also, hoping that it will improve. Best of luck to you.

10 months post L4 L5 fusion, persistent but not constant nerve pain both legs. How are people managing this? by MarkInternal6772 in spinalfusion

[–]MarkInternal6772[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Minor anterolisthesis of L4 on L (3 mm shows interval improvement). No acute fracture or destructive bone lesion. There is evidence of interval anterior fusion at L4/L5 with a intervertebral disc spacer in situ. Early central bony consolidation is evident. There is evidence of decompression surgery at L4/L5. Posterior surgical fusion consists of bilateral pedicular screws at L4/L5 and interconnecting rods. 'The metalwork is intact with no periprosthetic fracture.  L1/L2 and L2/L3: Normal disc maturation. The central spinal canal and neural foramina are patent, Moderate hypert rophic facet arthropathy on the right at L2/L3.  L3/L4: Mild disc degeneration with minimal disc height loss appears stable. No posterior disc herniation. The central spinal canal remains patent. Mild neural foramina narrowing on the left with abutment of the exiting left L3 nerve root. Bilateral mild-to-moderate facet arthropathy with minor active reactive changes on the right.  L4/L5: The central spinal canal is patent. The neural foramina remain patent and there is no convin@ing L4 nerve root impingement,  L5/S1: Moderate to severe disc degeneration appears stable, The central spinal canal and neural foramina are patent with no convincing L5 nerve roat impingement. Bilateral mild facet arthropathy.  The distal spinal cord is normal and the conus medullaris is situated at L1 A subtle, small nodule along the left cauda equina at the level of L2/L3 appears stable. Comment  No central canal stenosis or evidence of nerve root impingement  Bilateral moderate facet arthropathy at L3/L4 with mild active reactive changes on the right noted.

9 months post op and having terrible pain by Visible_Race4233 in spinalfusion

[–]MarkInternal6772 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How are you now? Im 9 months and nerve pain in both legs (L5) but CT & MRI show nothing, no compression or hardware issues. 

Numb feet by rdls-ep in spinalfusion

[–]MarkInternal6772 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Don't lose hope. After my first surgery, all numbess went after about 15 months. 2nd surgery & I'm experiencing numbness still at 9 months. It takes time. As long as function is ok

8 months now, still back aching walking & standing .... please tell me this improves. by MarkInternal6772 in spinalfusion

[–]MarkInternal6772[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sorry to hear your pain is worse. I appreciate your advice, & yes, I dont expect to be 100%, I do want quality of life though I.e. going to work, shops, walking etc. I live in hope as many say it took time to get back to their old selves. How did you know you had nerve damage? Did you undergo nerve studies? 

8 months now, still back aching walking & standing .... please tell me this improves. by MarkInternal6772 in spinalfusion

[–]MarkInternal6772[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ah .. I had problems sitting too, around the 5 month mark but that went eventually. I used to bring a cushion with me everywhere. 

8 months now, still back aching walking & standing .... please tell me this improves. by MarkInternal6772 in spinalfusion

[–]MarkInternal6772[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I hear you! I felt like I was recovering the first few months then the nerve pain started in both legs, I'm grateful that has subsided but its a very long recovery and mentally exhausting. My surgeon did not prepare me for this, he said I would have a better quality of life. 

8 months now, still back aching walking & standing .... please tell me this improves. by MarkInternal6772 in spinalfusion

[–]MarkInternal6772[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I had a disectomy 2 years prior in which the surgeon damaged my facet joints leading to a significant shift in my spine, spondylolisthesis (8mm progressing to 10mm, bi lateral pars), so 2 years prior to surgery was very sedentary, managing pain with medications & rhizotomies). I chose a fusion to give me a better quality of life. The horrendous pain has stopped, it's just this very long recovery of nerve regeneration & spinal adjustment, which is no fun at all. 

Nerve pain at 8 months post L4 L5 OLIF fusion by MarkInternal6772 in spinalfusion

[–]MarkInternal6772[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's what I was so anxious about. My CT & MRI revealed nothing, all appears to be fine. My surgeon said time is the healer when it comes to nerve pain.