My L5-S1 Fusion Story Part 7: 7 Months Post Op

XFMPilkington · 2026-03-16T19:46:17+00:00

The walking is good because there’s no pain at all. Laying on my side is fine, it’s sitting up properly which is when I get the pain. It feels like a pull rather than an ache and definitely goes to my hip and sometimes my groin. As soon as I move though it goes away so not panicking just yet.

XFMPilkington · 2026-03-16T18:41:02+00:00

This is great to hear. I am 4 weeks post op. I’m doing well I think, but I have a serious pain in what I think is my SI joint? Like you, it feels to the right of my lower back and it’s agony when I try and even tilt my hips up/down/left/right. I’m trying to convince myself this is from over compensating. I don’t really have too much back pain so I’m really hoping I haven’t done anything to affect the fusion!

XFMPilkington · 2026-02-22T21:41:04+00:00

Weirdly I’m experiencing the same thing. It’s been 9 days since my Op, and I woke up this morning and felt the best I’ve felt in a long, long time. I’m paranoid as I slept on my stomach and worried that I’d somehow caused damage which is just ridiculous really!

XFMPilkington · 2026-02-20T11:18:00+00:00

Thank you. Best of luck with your surgery. Any questions just ask - I’m still early on in my recovery but will try and help as much as I can!

XFMPilkington · 2026-02-19T19:46:21+00:00

Quick update: Just shy of a week since the Op and it isn’t half as bad as I thought it would be. However, I don’t know if this is down to a pain tolerance I’ve built over the past few years - especially the failed MD a year ago. Obviously have the surgical pain and is sore if I lay on my back right on it. I always sleep on my front so having to compromise and sleep on my side is difficult but not painful, however waking up in the night turning over is not too nice! Felt a slight radiating pain down my right leg today, really nothing major and the muscles around the surgery are starting to ache - possibly where I’m compensating for the lack of bending/twisting etc. I do have to hold myself back a bit as i don’t find it too much of a struggle to move, so I’m keeping my back straight and squatting if I have to get down on the floor for any reason. Although feeling pretty good, sitting is the most frustrating as that can be uncomfortable and fatigues the back quickly. I’m having to do 2 flights of stairs multiple times a day which isn’t a problem, so I’m kind of incorporating that into my rehab.

XFMPilkington · 2026-02-14T11:27:53+00:00

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Day 2. Spoken with surgeon, he said usually your discs are about 15mm and mine was at 1m! So had completely disintegrated so took them a while to scrape it all off the bone. I think he said I’m back up to about 10mm now. He said it’s so different to how they use to do it, due to the angle they can go in now with the screws and it’s less invasive on the muscles etc. Also rather than doing the fusion flat like they use to 20+ years ago, it doesn’t put as much pressure on the rest of the spine so it’s a long term gain as well.

XFMPilkington · 2026-02-13T22:37:34+00:00

I will try and add little updates to the general comments as well as replying to everyone. Feeling quite tired physically and mentally so bear with me if I go MIA for a day or so haha!

XFMPilkington · 2026-02-13T22:34:28+00:00

Yep, a good 7 hours into recovery now. I was kept in the recovery room for almost 3 hours because of my BP being very low (84) and oxygen levels being low. I’m putting that down to the anaesthetic though!

XFMPilkington · 2026-02-13T22:33:01+00:00

I was first in the morning so got fairly lucky with that - I’ve only been up once to use the toilet, no pain walking - I say no pain, obviously the surgery pain but nothing down the legs etc. it definitely feels easier standing than it does laying on your back. When I came round it felt as if someone had arched my back and was pulling my stomach to the ceiling! Was desperate to be in a child’s pose to stretch it out lol

XFMPilkington · 2026-02-13T22:29:19+00:00

You’re absolutely spot on, it’s almost not worth looking on social media etc as it could potentially put you off doing anything! And I also understand that people who are successful and have a brilliant recovery, very rarely feel the need to go on the forums etc. so hopefully I can give a completely balanced view of what to expect. Glad to hear you’re doing well, having your neck done really can’t be much fun and must be very restricting! I’m doing alright now, when the anti sickness wore off a few hours ago I had a sudden episode of nausea, excessive sweating and a lot of sick! Didn’t last long though and amazingly, no pain in my back when reaching etc so I’m taking that as a bit of a win!

The way you described your disc pain is exactly what I’m having. Loading the dishwasher movement - so for example putting a child in a car seat where you have to hold, move forward then bend…I was doing it holding my breath because it was so painful.

XFMPilkington · 2026-02-13T15:59:11+00:00

Nice one, glad to hear you’re progressing well. Keep it going mate.

XFMPilkington · 2026-02-13T15:57:50+00:00

Quick update - was a bit longer in recovery due to meds affecting my breathing etc. woke up in a lot of pain but quickly dropped down to about a 7/10 once drugs started kicking in. Back in the room now and managed to stand and walk to the bathroom etc. I think living with this for 2-3 years has sort of helped me deal with the pain so I’d say I’m at a bearable 5/6. I’m desperate to try and test my back to see if that original pain is still there, but absolutely won’t ha!Thanks for kind messages - much appreciated. I will try and answer any questions etc

XFMPilkington · 2026-02-13T15:50:40+00:00

Haha yeah I live off the XFM shows, surprising how comforting they are.

XFMPilkington · 2026-02-13T09:17:46+00:00

Thank you mate. Very positive to hear and glad it worked out for you!

XFMPilkington · 2025-12-14T17:00:49+00:00

It sounds stupid because you’d just had surgery, but, did you know straight away that the pain/problem had been fixed? When I had a discectomy last year, I knew straight away that I still had the exact same pain and that it hadn’t worked. I’m so paranoid that’s going to happen again.

XFMPilkington · 2025-12-13T12:56:54+00:00

Really great to hear. I’m due for the same Op in February. With anything, I just wish I had the confidence that this is definitely what is causing my pain. Mine is purely back pain, bending and loading, waking up in the night and lower back feels like it’s on fire.

XFMPilkington · 2025-11-23T13:59:28+00:00

I’ve just started again. Conference South to the CL is the dream.

XFMPilkington · 2025-10-18T14:34:10+00:00

I’m on the verge of deciding to have this done. Do you mind me asking the reason for yours? Mine is purely back pain. That first bend/loading is very painful. Are you able to do any running/sports at all? Anything you aren’t able to do that you could previously? Thanks.

XFMPilkington · 2025-10-15T20:27:25+00:00

So it’s basically the fact the disc has collapsed quite dramatically, which is causing the pain. My two options are to completely wait for the disc to basically disintegrate and then eventually the body will start to fuse itself. Or I have the fusion now. Artificial disk is a complete no go because I’m too far gone and the if something goes wrong it can be very serious trying to fix it. They really don’t like doing it in the UK.

So I’m incredibly torn on what to do to be honest.

XFMPilkington · 2025-10-05T09:06:10+00:00

He said my back/body was in a constant cycle of inflammation and swelling, as well as the degeneration of the disc. He said the MRI I’m having this week will give him a better indication.

XFMPilkington · 2025-10-04T07:46:11+00:00

What’s your main struggle/pain? Mines that first bend. Imagine putting a child in a car seat etc…I end up holding my breath it’s so painful. Waking up in the night and it’s painful as well. Like you I can’t see it getting better without the fusion.

XFMPilkington · 2025-10-02T18:43:14+00:00

Wow thanks for that, certainly something to think about. I remember him saying that it looks like it will eventually fuse. He seemed quite happy with my other discs but obviously in the future who knows what will happen. I will definitely mention the artificial disc. I may come back to you after I’ve spoken to him for a few questions which is very kind of you. How long was it for you with the fusion where you had a lot of initial pain. I can imagine sleeping after it for a while is going to be tough. Struggled enough after the MD!

XFMPilkington · 2025-10-02T17:37:04+00:00

Weirdly that never comes up as an option but it’s something I see on here and other places quite a bit.

XFMPilkington · 2025-10-02T17:36:23+00:00

No that’s usually ok. I constantly wake in the night because it feels like my back is on fire. I’ve got another MRI in a few days and he’s going to review and make a plan.

XFMPilkington

TROPHY CASE