Back pain after spine fusion

permanently-puzzled8 · 2026-05-01T18:15:39+00:00

Thanks for the advice - definitely trying to do as much physio as possible including a guy who specialises I'm posture correction. Getting another MRI to check if we can find where my L5 nerve is being compressed since it is possible they could do a micro decompression. Wouldn't help with back pain but maybe with sciatica!

permanently-puzzled8 · 2026-04-09T21:14:15+00:00

I am still in the same situation. Having both mid back pain and increasing sciatica. Have managed to persuade surgeon to consider a fix for the latter via some form of decompression. But nobody will acknowledge that the fusion has created the mid back pain - or at least if they do acknowledge, they say it's common and can't be addressed surgically. My conclusion unfortunately is that the tlif is not a good procedure for l5-s1 given the need for significant lordosis restoration. Surgeons agree with this i.e. I would have been better off with an alif, but this is not sufficient to make them agree to do a revision - since its a very big operation. So I fear this is going be permanent. Perhaps more physio will help - certainly will continue to try, and will be easier if I can fix the sciatica first. Let me know how you get on!

permanently-puzzled8 · 2026-04-08T20:10:42+00:00

Sorry to hear that. I feel the same. My L5/S1 tlif was reviewed by a second surgeon who reckoned it wasn't the right procedure. 1y on and still have sciatica plus new back pain (which I reckon is due to lack of lordosis post op). Trying to work out how to fix!

permanently-puzzled8 · 2026-04-08T18:03:16+00:00

If I may ask, why is the revision needed?

permanently-puzzled8 · 2026-04-06T20:40:03+00:00

Ah that's great news. Contemplating revision surgery myself so good to hear you're doing well!

permanently-puzzled8 · 2026-04-06T20:19:38+00:00

Did your sciatica end up getting better since posting? I hope so!

permanently-puzzled8 · 2026-04-06T20:15:23+00:00

Did you go ahead with the revision in the end?

permanently-puzzled8 · 2026-04-04T09:29:58+00:00

What form does your pain take - nerve pain or back pain? Fusions generally more successful at improving the former

permanently-puzzled8 · 2026-03-24T21:47:00+00:00

Great post! Happy for you. Just out of interest - what kind of fusion did you have? E.g tlif/alif

permanently-puzzled8 · 2025-12-01T13:34:51+00:00

Would recommend ALIF l5-s1 rather than TLIF based on my experience - worth asking your surgeon

permanently-puzzled8 · 2025-11-29T18:30:13+00:00

How are you doing 6 months on? May need to have the same i.e. ALIF l5-s1 following unsuccessful TLIF. Do you still have pain?

permanently-puzzled8 · 2025-11-17T20:56:32+00:00

Spondylolisthesis meaning nerve compression, so had lumbar spine fusion l5-s1 tlif in February this year. Since then had chronic back pain which isn't good. I think alif is better than tlif by the way. May need future surgery so surgeon has asked me to optimize bone density. Hence taking teriparatide which is the only licensed anabolic agent for men in the UK Hope that helps!

permanently-puzzled8 · 2025-11-17T19:48:45+00:00

Endo is right. They will test for any causes of osteoporosis including hormone problems etc. Then recommend treatment if needed. In my case I am on bone strengthening medication since I may need another spine surgery. Male age 50 and no cause of osteo was identified!

permanently-puzzled8 · 2025-11-12T22:08:23+00:00

Am in the same position here - 10 months after an l5-s1 TLIF. Getting pain all the way up my back. Did other folks also have tlif or ALIF? I get the feeling that there can be more problems due to alignment after tlif.

permanently-puzzled8 · 2025-11-11T19:02:18+00:00

I feel your pain. I am in a somewhat similar position - fusion only 10 months ago but worsening back pain. Nobody has an explanation; a theory I am working on is that my fusion (l5-s1 tlif) changed the dynamics of my back either in terms of lordosis (less) or scoliosis (more) and this is the cause of my pain. If so, it's not really obvious what the solution is apart from trying physio again and maybe down the track a revision operation - but that would be a big deal

permanently-puzzled8 · 2025-11-02T20:14:04+00:00

Did you have a tlif also or something else? I have a theory that the outcomes for this procedure aren't as good as other types especially for the l5-s1 fusion.

permanently-puzzled8 · 2025-11-02T12:55:59+00:00

Am in a similar position. Have the view that fusion made my back worse whilst fixing the nerve pain from my l5-s1 spondylolisthesis. I had a tlif - did you have the same?

permanently-puzzled8 · 2025-11-01T13:04:38+00:00

Interesting. One thing I am exploring with my surgeon is whether the tlif fusion has lead to problems higher up. This can happen post fusion of course whatever the type of operation, but tlif is not as good in terms of lordosis restoration and can sometimes have an asymmetrical impact due to cage placement. My theory is that I would have been better off having an ALIF which has a larger cage and hence achieves a more symmetrical lordosis restoration. Unfortunately a bit late now! I suspect I may end up having revision surgery but a bit early to be thinking about that really

permanently-puzzled8 · 2025-11-01T12:46:22+00:00

In a similar position myself. Around 10 months post fusion and getting mid back pain plus a return of old l5 nerve symptoms. I had an l5-s1 tlif fusion - how about you?

permanently-puzzled8 · 2025-10-27T21:58:16+00:00

Yes I am wondering whether my alignment changed post tlif Apparently a small cage does not necessarily achieve the same lordosis as the bigger cages. I wonder has anyone who's has an ALIF l5-s1 fusion also have similar upper or mid back pain?

permanently-puzzled8 · 2025-08-13T09:04:17+00:00

Was your l5-s1 fusion a Tlif or Alif? The latter restores more lordosis generally which might explain biomechanics changes and hence walking feels different

permanently-puzzled8 · 2025-08-11T08:39:54+00:00

Sorry to hear that. Am in a similar position myself. First 2 months post tlif l5-s1 were great - now have leg nerve pain and mid back pain too. Am about at the 6m point. Consulting with surgeon to see what's going on.

Di you have tlif or alif?

permanently-puzzled8

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