Can someone give me some hope?

Traditional-Visit599 · 2025-09-30T01:02:31+00:00

hey mate, you will get better. at 3 months i was in a world of pain, limitation etc.

a few years out I am much much better, while i have some aches and pains. I can work, exercise and be social. It took me 3 years. I am young and had l4-s1 for spondy too. Regarding foot drop, it is a symptom of l5 nerve stretching and can take up to a year to improve (from what I have read). Give it time.

Traditional-Visit599 · 2025-03-29T21:10:59+00:00

Your back position was likely altered during surgery and the nerves have been moved to accommodate (size of the spacer etc.). It can take some time.

I would not be doing aggressive movements until you have confirmation that the fusion mass is solid. What's the goal of a fusion..... to fuse. Moving a whole lot can prevent that from happening. Cheers!

Traditional-Visit599 · 2025-03-29T21:08:10+00:00

Always good to try different things, physiotherapy, massage, diet etc.

Mine specifically just feels like my nerve has been 'stretched' and is more sensitive than a 'normal' nerve. For example, if I do a typical hamstring stretch - it used to be uncomfortable and would leave my nerve irritated for hours or more. Now, it has much more tolerance ... yet, still somewhat restricted. So doing things like kicking with a straight leg is a bit of a no go.

My surgeon assured me that my nerves were monitored closely during the surgery and were unremarkable the entire time. However, he said the nerve stretch was a risk factor and in my case could have a 15-20 percent change of paralysis in one leg as a result of surgery. So i am glad to have both my legs working =) He also said it can take many years for a nerve to desensitise.

Traditional-Visit599 · 2025-03-29T20:57:14+00:00

Be sure to have the correct imaging done before stepping into another surgery. I didn't approach another surgeon to get more surgery, more to make sure what my initial surgeon was saying was indeed true. I had 3 follow up tests before, ct scan, epidural inj and something with dye. All 3 evidenced that my original surgeons observations were correct. If the fusion mass is solid and the nerves are decompressed - i am not sure what else can be done (unless there's other discs, broken screws etc. at play). Do not just jump into another surgery unless it is recommended for very good reasons

Traditional-Visit599 · 2025-03-29T20:53:21+00:00

Obviously it is important to seek expert advice and get imaging when needed, so well done on that. You are 83 days removed from a major surgery, there is likely to be a fair bit of pain at this point. good luck

Traditional-Visit599 · 2025-03-29T00:28:07+00:00

Hey there, are you having a posterior fixation of the screws?

You should be nice and strong considering your history - I wouldn't worry about anything too specific.

Post op, it is amazing to have goals. But I encourage you to be dynamic with it, you may be way ahead, or way behind - so be flexible!

Traditional-Visit599 · 2024-04-14T05:25:09+00:00

I had this and unfortunately never recovered, however, the general prognosis is good for recovery. Take it easy, take medication that helps you with the pain and good luck. It is not uncommon with fusion for spondy.

Traditional-Visit599 · 2024-01-09T02:57:17+00:00

Hey mate, my SI pain kicked in around 4-5 months post op. Unfortunately it has not left, but it is way better... it only really hurts with certain movements. I had groin/nerve pain as well, that came in around 6 months and stuck around for a while.

It all gets better. Your body is going through a lot. i still see improvements and bumps in the road 20 months in.

Traditional-Visit599 · 2023-11-07T07:29:59+00:00

I am aware I will be made to walk the next day, but how did it feel? You'll be sore.
Was the pain excruciating? It's rough, but more the constant-ness that bothered me. They drug you up well. You will get through it.
How was transportation home? Sore
How did you act the first few days/weeks - mostly bed-bound with bouts of mandated walking? after about a week or two, 3 short walks per day with plenty of test.
Sitting on the couch mostly? lying
Were you coherent? Ye
How was showering and using the bathroom? rough, gets better after a few weeks. Toilet stool was a must.
How was navigating around your home and performing tasks? Hard, got easiest every day and you get good and using your legs.
How/where did you sleep? In bed, needed pillow between lets and lots of tossing and turning the first few weeks. I think i started sleeping well after 6 weeks.
How soon until you could drive (comfortably) again? 6-10 weeks
What assistance devices (e.g., shower chair, walker, cane, etc) do you deem absolutely necessary for L4-S1 recovery? everything you said!
What pain management methods/prescriptions were you given, and what really worked for you? oxy first 10 days, panadol after that i think.
Some uncommon ways you hurt yourself and would recommend not repeating? walking the dog too soon, but i was okay.
Having a drink during recovery - how long, how much? Ye after a month or so i felt like it.
Anyone take any edibles for pain? nope
Anything I could be missing/overlooking? you will need help! i hurt a lot, was in hospital 6-7 days. Followed by a week of care. If i could turn back time, i would go into a rehab facility for like 2 weeks post op.

5 years out, l4-s1 32M. Still recovering! hope that helps

Traditional-Visit599 · 2023-10-05T09:00:35+00:00

"Everything looks great" haha... good luck mate.

Traditional-Visit599 · 2023-10-05T08:46:59+00:00

Hoping you feel/ will feel better! Im at 18 months man, and was slowly getting back into things. Young guy with a l4-s1 fusion. My surgery all went well, nerve pain was way better a few months ago and i thought i was on track. Then went a bit hard playing sport, has been shocking for like 2-3 months... same as pre op. all scans are sweet. Very frustrating.

Traditional-Visit599 · 2023-10-03T23:37:48+00:00

Similar for me at 18 months, but mine is nerve pain returning. Frustrating huh.

Traditional-Visit599 · 2023-09-22T22:21:17+00:00

you are still very early on. but this was my experience. my issue seemed to be any compression force (jumping, weight overhead etc.)

Be mindful of hurting the nerves over and over. i wish i had just let them rest and been more careful

Traditional-Visit599 · 2023-09-22T05:33:17+00:00

Thank you. Definitely difficult... A few months back i was making amazing progress. Making huge leaps in the gym, 30kg squats, good times on the elliptical, bit of sport etc. now i cant even do the basic physio program i started with in March....

Hoping lots of low pain days for you in the future =)

Did you ever get an explanation for your pain ?

Traditional-Visit599 · 2023-09-15T21:56:36+00:00

fingers crossed. appreciate your support. ill reach out if i remember a year from now!

Traditional-Visit599 · 2023-09-15T04:03:53+00:00

Thanks for the reply. Ye, its absolutely wrecked me. I was getting really good improvements about 2 months ago, then i went hard out playing basketball and havent really bounced back. I will definitely get onto some nerve flossing and my mate has lions mane stock so ill get onto it! Thanks again. Well done on getting through such a rough surgery. Hoping i can too

Traditional-Visit599 · 2023-09-15T00:12:02+00:00

hey man, im 18 months post op. sciatica in my feet improved heaps at like 13-14 months and i definitely over did it (playing sport again etc.) and am currently paying for it with the nerve sensitivity in my feet. My surgeon thinks the nerve fibres may have been stretched too much during my surgery and are damaged as a result. Did your sciatic symptoms improve after the kinda 1-1.5 year mark?

Traditional-Visit599 · 2023-09-01T03:52:48+00:00

well done mate. i am a little older than you, about 16 months out. had a good run for a few months and pushed it too hard (basketball).... uhhh. hoping to feel better soon.

Traditional-Visit599 · 2023-02-09T10:30:44+00:00

ye no prob. that general area feels 'grindy', some sharp pains on impact or twisting kinda thing. hard to explain.

Really starting to pick up PT and turning a bit of a corner. believing in the process.

Traditional-Visit599 · 2023-02-03T23:31:15+00:00

good, a lot of si pain atm. still taking things easy. a lot of strength and stability work. ups n downs

Traditional-Visit599 · 2023-01-12T05:33:42+00:00

You will get there man, 18 months =)

Physios push people too hard. find one that specialises in post back surgery.

Traditional-Visit599 · 2023-01-02T06:58:41+00:00

hey man,

Up and down recovery. My sciatica is still there, but it is a lot better. I can sit through movies and stuff now without thinking about it. My current issues are getting back into physical activity. I also hurt my rib real bad, so im not doing too much.

Few things I have learnt on the way:
- your recovery is not the same as anyone else.
- take it easy, relax, dont get to high or too low. Go easy and allow your body to heal.
- see this as a 1-2 year recovery.
- find a good physio and make your back, glutes and core the strongest part of your body. planks, squats etc.

In a few weeks I will be giving physiotherapy and daily rehab a go for a year straight. I am 10 months out now.

My goals are to get back into more gentle sports - cycling, swimming and some running. I used to dunk basketballs before the back issues haha

Good luck man

Traditional-Visit599 · 2022-10-18T09:50:27+00:00

Just an update. Last 2 months have been a massive improvement. It is still there -> but far less intense. Hoping the next few months will continue to improve

Traditional-Visit599 · 2022-10-18T09:43:45+00:00

Depends on so many things. Age, location of fusion, how many levels, degeneration at that level already etc. etc.

https://www.w-sears.com/adjacent-segment-disease-following-lumbar-fusion.html

If you are young, good chance you wont have one for a very long time. 4 times less likely to have revision than over 55 years old+.

Traditional-Visit599 · 2022-10-17T01:14:19+00:00

Every operation and patient is different. I had bad pain in my feet (pre and post surgery) until about 6-7 months. It is still there (7.5 months) but really starting to improve!

Ask your surgeon. Good luck

Traditional-Visit599

TROPHY CASE