Completely depends on age, the shape you are in, and the operation. [approach etc]

I am 29 years old. In Excellent shape other than the back problems and recently [Dec. 28th 2010] had a fusion at L5 -S1 and a disk replaced at L4-L5.

Because of the exceptional condition I was in physically and my age, I was told full recovery within 3 months. Most people usually take 5-6

Part of the reason for the fast recovery was because I chose to do an Anterior/interior entrance. They did everything from the front and never had to cut a muscle, just shove everything out of the way.

Unfortunately this approach is extremely painful afterwords, or at least has been for me, but the initial back problems that they went in to correct in the first place are almost un noticeable.

In my case, it took a good two years for the pain to subside from my 360 degree fusion at L-4 to S1. I was told it would take three to six months, but that was way too optimistic.
Mind you, at the time of my surgery I was 43 and in good health generally. There should be no reason that I could not have recovered sooner. My pain management doctor says my case is, sadly, pretty typical. A two-level fusion with instrumentation is a big deal, much more invasive than many surgeons will let on. Be prepared for a lengthy recovery if this is the type of surgery you are facing.
I recovered much more quickly from a third surgery, a so-called extreme lateral interbody fusion (XLIF) that is much less invasive than the previous fusion surgeries. However, I have had to endure a good two to three months of pain following the XLIF as well.
I'm finally doing much better, albeit it with some flare-ups when I overdo it.

I had a L3-S1 on Dec 6th 2010 I am at the point now where I have good days and bad days. The mornings are always really bad it is hard to move my legs when I wake up. When that passes usaully after an hour sometimes I can go through a day or two and feel really good with very little pain. The problem is I do to much on the good days and I pay for it ten fold and suffer for the next week. I am hoping for all days to be pain free in the very near future. I am 32 and in good shape an health.

___________________________________
12/6/2010 L3-S1 ALIF
3/2000 rugby injury - shattered compound tib/fib fracture rods and screws
Tore meniscus, ACL, MCL
10 surgeries to fix leg and knee over last 10 years

I had a diskectomy,PLIF L5 - S1 and decompression with Autograft, rods and screws, 2 months ago. The first couple of weeks were awful- severe pain and I could barely move. But the sciatic pain that was incapacitating me before surgery was completely gone. At 1 month, the pain was reducing unless I bent my body even slightly or sat up in a chair completely straight. I found that leaning back a little or lying down reduced the pain a lot. I am not using a brace. At 3 weeks I tried to drive but had difficulty getting in and out of the car, but more pain just trying to sit upright in the car seat. 1 week later, pain reduced enough that I could drive. Most of my pain is in the area where the bone was taken from my illeum (bone top of the pelvis). At week 7, the pain majorly diminished. I take pain medication only about once or twice a day (tylenol arthritis)
only if I need it. I have really felt a major change this past week which completes my 2 months.
The most difficult thing now is since I am not in a brace, remembering not to bend. It does take about 4-6 months for the graft to complete. It is frustrating that I still can't do physical things that I want to do, but it is so much better being able to walk and be free of that severe sciatic pain that went all of the way down my leg. Glad I had the surgery.

I had an L4-S1 A/P LIF on 3/2. I have tension bands anteriorly and rods and screws posteriorly. I also had an L5/s1 lateral recess decompression which was a re-do from an extensive decompression procedure two years ago. I was hospitalized for 5 days. I had the double blessing of a superb surgeon and very generous pain management so the only time the pain was really awful in the hospital was the first night after surgery.

On return home, pain was well-controlled w/ Norco. My surgeon predicted I would be off of pain management by three weeks after surgery. It wasn't quite that fast, but nearly - just about 4 weeks. After that, I took tylenol 2-3 time daily. I haven't used anything at all for about two weeks.

I started working half-time (from home, propped up in bed) at 4 weeks.

At 9 weeks, I am essentially pain-free, I walk every morning for about 45 min. At my 6-week follow-up, my surgeon cleared my to go back to the gym, albeit with some pretty narrow activity restrictions.

At this point, I am delighted with the outcome and have no regrets. I feel like my doc gave me my life back. Sometimes when I dwell on it, I even get a little teary - I feel that much gratitude.

Info in my sig

At 13 months doing very well. Fully fused and doing pretty much what I want. Not to recommend it, but I quit PT early (too strenuous at that time)and just started to do as much as I felt comfortable doing each day. 60 years old and not 100% pain free everyday. But, mild and tolerable w/o any pain meds. Some days no pain at all. Best decision I ever made. The right diagnosis and Dr is critical. I was off narcs at 3 months. Five to six months is to soon to judge success for many. I would say it took nine months to really start feeling good. I still have a lot of arthritis in spine, so it is not going to ever be painless.

Ken

I had a discectomy at l5-s1 in June 2010, same level fusion 7 days later, hardware replacement 4 weeks after fusion due to infection. And am now 5 weeks post op from an anterior fusion on the same label worked on all three previous times. Recovery takes time a relatively long time because the bone has to grow and become healthy. Four surgeries in less than a year have taken their toll on my body, and the sciatic pain is still there. I am 33 years old and was in very good physical health. I just want to encourage you to know that taking it easy is Essex tail for a while and following the doctors recommendations is key. I began to feel better the first week and being very driven I tend to over due it to fast. I was released from the hospital the day after the last surgery, because I was walking a couple of hours after surgery and was feeling great. The first three procedures were done by the same surgeon from the posterior, but Dr.EDITED performed the last one, he is an amazing surgeon and very caring. All that to saymthis your recovery is going to depend on your ability to be disciplined and follow directions, along with keeping your head up and not falling into depression while you recover. You can do this, just be ready to invest time and effort and not expect a quick fix.

Post edited to remove name of medical professional and or facility. by The Spine-Health Moderator Team

Hello~ I am glad to find this site. It is helpful to know that others are going thru some things that I am. I had a fusion done on 3/25. Prior to surgery I was having leg pain for years, not realizing it was actually my back. In Nov. the back pain started along with the leg pain. Went to Dr, pain management then surgeon. Had the epidoral done, did not help at all. Before my surgery they had said approx. 3 months out of work. After surgery, they said the back was worse than they thought. They fused my spine, I have 3 rods,and they had to take out my ligaments, which was a surprise. Immediatly after surgery my leg pain was gone! I started PT a few weeks ago. The pain I am now in is bad. My mornings are awful, I feel like my legs wont work, I literally shake with pain for the first hour. When the meds kick in, I start to feel better. If I lay in bed too long, it is worse.So, even though I am so tired, I have to get up early. Then at night I get such bad pains in my leg. It goes from my lower back, down my right side of butt,the back of right thigh, to knee. It is a burning, sharp constant pain. So I basically have a 2 hour window of feeling "not that bad". I take flexeril and percoset. They had me on vicoden which helped more, but they wanted to wean me off the narcotics. I have a bone growth stimulator that I use every night for 1/2 hour ( I haven't seen that mentioned anywhere here) and also a tens unit. I feel like I have a ball in the center, lower part of my back. It gets worse when I walk. It is so tight there,and the "ball" feels as if it gets in my way of movement. The PT says that I am very tight in my back, and she started massages that HURT! She says that I am having alot of leg pain because my nerve is either twisted or scar tissue. Does that sound familiar to anyone? I am due to see the Dr next on June 22 and return back to work on June 27th. I am extremely nervous about going back to work and not being able to make it thru the day. I drive an hour to work. Does anyone else here have alot of pain while in a car? I have a pillow pet (dont laugh..lol) that I use as back support, but the car is like torture. After about 10 minutes I can't stand the pain. I only attempted to drive once to see how I did. It was a 10 minute ride and I wasn't even off my street yet and the pain was almost unbearable. How in the world am I going to return to work and also drive an hour there, an hour home? Is anyone else out on disability and how long have you been out of work? My fear is that I work in PA and I am under FMLA (family medical leave act)and after 3 months of being out, you are terminated. They would have to re-hire you, but not get your current position and lose all health benefits. Is anyone else in the same or similiar position? I'd love some feedback. Thanks so much for "listening"
~Cindy

Hello~ I am glad to find this site. It is helpful to know that others are going thru some things that I am. I had a fusion done on 3/25. Prior to surgery I was having leg pain for years, not realizing it was actually my back. In Nov. the back pain started along with the leg pain. Went to Dr, pain management then surgeon. Had the epidoral done, did not help at all. Before my surgery they had said approx. 3 months out of work. After surgery, they said the back was worse than they thought. They fused my spine, I have 3 rods,and they had to take out my ligaments, which was a surprise. Immediatly after surgery my leg pain was gone! I started PT a few weeks ago. The pain I am now in is bad. My mornings are awful, I feel like my legs wont work, I literally shake with pain for the first hour. When the meds kick in, I start to feel better. If I lay in bed too long, it is worse.So, even though I am so tired, I have to get up early. Then at night I get such bad pains in my leg. It goes from my lower back, down my right side of butt,the back of right thigh, to knee. It is a burning, sharp constant pain. So I basically have a 2 hour window of feeling "not that bad". I take flexeril and percoset. They had me on vicoden which helped more, but they wanted to wean me off the narcotics. I have a bone growth stimulator that I use every night for 1/2 hour ( I haven't seen that mentioned anywhere here) and also a tens unit. I feel like I have a ball in the center, lower part of my back. It gets worse when I walk. It is so tight there,and the "ball" feels as if it gets in my way of movement. The PT says that I am very tight in my back, and she started massages that HURT! She says that I am having alot of leg pain because my nerve is either twisted or scar tissue. Does that sound familiar to anyone? I am due to see the Dr next on June 22 and return back to work on June 27th. I am extremely nervous about going back to work and not being able to make it thru the day. I drive an hour to work. Does anyone else here have alot of pain while in a car? I have a pillow pet (dont laugh..lol) that I use as back support, but the car is like torture. After about 10 minutes I can't stand the pain. I only attempted to drive once to see how I did. It was a 10 minute ride and I wasn't even off my street yet and the pain was almost unbearable. How in the world am I going to return to work and also drive an hour there, an hour home? Is anyone else out on disability and how long have you been out of work? My fear is that I work in PA and I am under FMLA (family medical leave act)and after 3 months of being out, you are terminated. They would have to re-hire you, but not get your current position and lose all health benefits. Is anyone else in the same or similiar position? I'd love some feedback. Thanks so much for "listening"
~Cindy

Thanks so much for replying...My Dr just upped my meds. The pain down my leg is pretty bad. I am wondering if you had the bone stimulator and/or tens unit...also did you do therapy? I am supposed to return to work the 27th..can't see that happening right now. I work a desk job and sit most/all day. At times I feel somewhat better and seem to forget how bad it can get..but it is not for long. Tonight I am in agony. The pain just wont quit.Throbbing,stabbing,burning. Thanks agin for replying it means alot! =)

Thanks Linda,
It does feel like nerve impingement (sciatica), which is disappointing. At least it should be something I can rehab or get some type of relief, even though that may be a temporary thing. I absolutely refuse to go under the knife again, unless life threatening.
Going back to work is a lofty goal, when reading so many others stories, but I think possible. I can move around quite a bit and there is no shortage of help. Plus I am a high school administrator and we will not have students until 1st of August. However, I am prepared for the long haul.
I am so thankful for your kindness, but honesty. Hope your recovery continues to go well.

You are still so very new in the post-surgery phase.
Recovering from back surgery takes time. It is very true that many of the newer lumbar surgical procedures are refined to the point, you can return to light work duties much sooner than before.

The sciatica pain you are talking about is probably the after math of the surgery. Healing from nerve damage takes a lot longer than the actual fusion or non-fusion procedures.

Give this some time.....

If the pain increases, then I would suggest talking to your doctor

Ya know ya gotta keep your head up! As bad as it hurts it will ease up. I have had four back surgeries and the leg pain and cramps are starting to get better. It just takes time. Stretch your legs in bed, it helps.

Hi, I'm 41, worked out 5-6 days week, very in shape, toned
4/18 I was hit in a car accident, pcp diagnosed whiplash
Went to chiro, he said he felt bulging disc, a few days later I began
To get pain in neck, shoulder, upper chest and down arm
Numbness in pointer and middle finger. Next MRI, MRI WAS Misread and
Report faxed to my pcp showed no findings
Pain became worse to the point I got the pain
And numbness 90% of the day. Pcp gotme an appt
With neurosurgeon, they had me pick up CD
of MRI. herniated disc c6-c7, they explained
The "jelly" inside of disc was pushed out and
Hardened compressing root nerve. As the numbness
Illustrated it was completely compressing nerve
And the pain was unbearable at that point they
Scheduled surgery for 4 days later out of fear
For possibility of permanent nerve damage.
The surgery was through back of my neck and
Was to only shave the disc to release pressure of nerve
When I woke up I had pain at incision site but
All of the other pain/numbness was 95% gone
I was up walking around hospital and released the
Next morning, after a few days I was getting around well. Saw
Pcp a week after surgery and she removed steri strips
And checked incision for infection. All good. I felt
Better everyday, maybe over did it. On day17
Post surgery I woke up with all the same pain I had
Before surgery, maybe worse, after crying I called
Neuro office, I was told it could be swelling, scar
Tissue could be compressing nerve, and that it is not
Uncommon for pain to dissapear immediately after
Surgery and come back within 4-6 weeks. They
Added flexural to the percocet I was already taken
And told me to ice it (neck) and take motrin 3-4. Hoursafter
Percocet. I'm now at day 20 post surgery and pain
Comes and goes down arm not getting the finger numbness
Days 17, 18 & 19 the pain was horrible and continuous, day 20
Today it came and went. I stopped everything I
Was doing and stuck close to bed couch and short
Walks. I've tried completely relaxing myself and also
Keeping positive thoughts.called neuro and left message today.
I've NEVER had any surgeries for any spinal injuries
Never had any problems before car accident, I just
Want my life back and when I think of the prospect
Of having more surgery or that more stuff came out of disc
and Hardened, i want to cry, any suggestions or insight
Would be greatly appreciated.

I am so sorry to hear of your pain after surgery. I feel your pain. I had my surgery 3/25 and felt like I was improving, and the past few weeks going backwards. I can't drive yet, being a passenger is painful so I only go for short rides. I want my life back also, I know how you feel. When I go to therapy I feel like I am 80 and I am 44. I am supposed to return to work this Monday and am scared to death that I will return and then fail. I have to drive an hour to work..how will I do it?? I go to Dr tomorrow afternoon to see if he releases me. My problem (besides the obvious) is that my work says I have to return by then, or I lose my position that I worked so hard for. FMLA ran out. Unbelievable that I have to go back when my body won't let me. I wonder what Dr will say......good luck to you, I hope you feel better sooon. I wish I could say more to make you feel better, but at this point I don't know what else to say except try to think positive.

Hello,

Wanted to share my experience and also benefit from other's experiences on the post-op recovery.

About my lifestyle:

• Active person but not a regular exercise person.
• 159 lb,5'8" and late 30's
• Management Consultant with working hours of about 15 hrs everyday 5-6 days a week
• Extensive flight and car travel on the job.
• Married with 2 young kids

• Radicular leg pain (Sciatic) in May'99.
  1. MRI revealed disc herniation (slip disc) at L4-L5
  2. Complete rest with static traction for 3 weeks
  3. The pain was gone and resumed normal activities
• Back pain with radicular leg pain in April 2010
  1. MRI reveals a disc herniation (7.8 mm) at L4-L5 with mild spinal stenosis
  2. Static traction 6 weeks with complete bed rest
  3. Pain was gone and resumed normal activities
• Back Pain with radicular leg pain in March 2011
  1. Tried chiropractic and intermittent traction
  2. Got better after 20 sessions (April 2011)
  3. Relapsed due to my coughing due to allergies (May '11)
  4. Updated MRI reveals a disc herniation (8 mm) at L4-L5 with mild spinal stenosis and minor scarilations at L5-S1
  5. Gotten worse through the month of may to the extent that I was not able to sit/stand/walk even for 30 seconds.
  6. Tried cortisone in 3rd week may without relief
  7. Doctor's advised surgery as the only resort

Condition few weeks prior to the Surgery:

• Radiating pain from low back and down the feet
• Resting horizontally on my back relieved the pain almost instantaneously.
• If I stand or walk for about 30 seconds, the pain increases rapidly and the worst pain is felt on the outside of the left foot top. The pain is as if someone is crushing my feet or like a truck has run over my feet.
• If I still bear the pain and continue to stand, within a minute the left leg became completely numb with increasing intensity in pain.

About the Surgery:

• Surgery done by one of the well known surgeon in Dallas, TX on June 9th 2011.
• Per Doctor's view the surgery is considered success.
• Pre-care and post-care went as expected for the surgery
• Just had to say overnight at the hospital. Was released to home the next day (6/10)
• Have been provided with a brace and have been advised to wear it all day and remove it if needed at night. (I am wearing it continuously per the experiences of one of the members' experience)
• Decided not to push too much towards an accelerated post-op recovery and have decided to just go with the flow i.e. listen to my body and not to over exert at least for the first month or so.

Post-Surgery progress (almost 2 weeks now):

Positives:

• Felt a visible relief from the back/leg pain right after the surgery.
• Still on prescribed painkillers and stool softner, but the dosage has been resuced only 1 for the night from every 6 hours during the first week. (Gradual reduction)
• Mostly resting on bed during the last 2 weeks.
• Seeing gradual improvement on my movements:
  1. After the first few days of the surgery, was able to walk/stand/sit for about a minute after which the tingling sensation starts with a dull low intensity radiating pain on the left leg.
  2. Over the last 10 days, I am seeing increasing mobility and movement. I am able to walk for about 2-3 minutes (and believe could push few minutes, if I don't stop just about when I sense the beginning of the dull pain on the foot).

1. Is there anyone with a similar progress projections like me? Is my progress too slow/ normal?
2. Would like to know how long it took for others to walk/sit/stand continuously without pain for at least 15 minutes?
3. My doctors seems the progress thus far is satisfactory but didn't provide where I am in terms of percentile of progress compared to other patients with similar condition.
4. They are also assuring me that once I start the physiotherapy (starts 6/22), I should seem more progress on mobility. How true is that in the experiences of others?
5. Sometimes when I look at my body, it looks a little crooked (like an "S"). Some days it is very visible and other days it is not so much bent. Is this common in other's experience?

Would appreciate all comments/experiences/inputs. I do believe that healing is always two-fold.
1) physical - which the doctors have taken care.
2) Mental - Forums like this provide answers and experiences of other folks in similar situation which provides a lot of positive assurances and perspectives that potentially could calm the mind and thus help the healing the process.

I hope to benefit of the 2nd plane of healing through this forum.

- SC

Went to doctor on Monday for first post op. appointment and it was very encouraging. Doctor said it went real well. As for the pain still on right side, he prescribed neurotin.
Told me to walk as much as possible. I asked him about going back to work and he said when you can drive, but not on pain medicine ( no kidding). He also said no more than 15 minutes driving at a time. However, we were planning on a trip next week about 6 hours away and told him we would break the drive up. He still said no.
When onto to say that the next 6 weeks are critical.
I went to work for 2 hours this morning( wife drove me!) Sitting was very difficult and when I got home I was exhausted.
One other thing, I am already on 2000 mg's of Depakote a day, so with the neurotin, I have plenty of seizure medicine in me, but the combination is making me really drowsy and tired feeling.
Overall, good report!

Last night while trying to sit down, I heard a pop in my lower back. Today I have some swelling and pain about 4 inches wide where I presume my fusion took place. I 've been taking advil and pretty much stayed in bed to try and get swelling to go away. Has anyone had this happen? I don 't think it would be scar tissue popping because there is swelling. Would appreciate any suggestions.

On a positive note, at 4 weeks post op Monday from c6-c7 shaving to
Remove compression of nerve, although it got better and all pain returned
17 days post op, then weird pains everywhere with tingling arms
Legs back both arms and back of head. Good news pain has diminished
To a tolerable level. Still having some muscle spasms and pain in Right arm
When using computer but it's alot better, so it seems you can be pain
Free after surgery a d pai. Returns a week or two after, nerves go crazy
And it begins to then heal slow but steady:-) so have some faith, I believe
Healing is part science/medicine and part faith/believing, don't underestimate
The power of prayer and positive thinking.

3 weeks out. Numbness and pain gone from shoulders and arms. Had headaches before and have had two since.

Slow, slow, slow. Been in a car four times for 15 minute trips. Hurts and wears me out to where I must get in bed for the next day and a half. Began having pain yesterday at the base of my neck where fusion is. Sharp debilitating pain in my head I am not sure why it's happening. Incision sites (hip graft and neck are sore but pain is subsiding there). I walk with a cane due my imbalance and inability to see peripherally. Went to store and rode the cart but felt insecure due to my inability to turn head. I see doc this Thurs, 7/7/11 for my first post op appt. What kinds of questions should I ask him? Scheduled to have tens unit for neck and PT soon.

Is this a normal trajectory for healing? Help.

Indeed the length of recovery will always depend on the asperity of the condition and the adherence to the treatment.

EDITED

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Post Edited by Authority Member Numbskull

Seems to mostly positive!
Went back to work this week. I'm a high school assistant principal and athletic director, so I tried to pace myself, since students aren't in school.
I'm physically exhausted right now. All week everyone said I looked pale and to go home, in fact I finally did today, putting in only a half day. I came home and slept for 2 hrs.
I am trying to ween off pain medicine, but the pain in the middle of my back is unreal if I move the wrong way. Also, I have developed pain in my right neck, trapezius, and deltoid area. It is not rotator cuff related in my opinion. Not sure if it is just big time soreness, upper back out of alignment or another nerve root problem.
The nerve damage in right leg is doing well! Been taking Neurotin, still have numbness in last three toes, and some in the calf and and hamstring.
I may have over done it, go back to see the doc on Monday.
Would love to have more conversation.

Hi, haven't been on this site for quite some time. I had a 4 level anterior/posterior lumbar fusion from L2-S1 in Sept. 2008. Had a complication with bleeding following surgery and spent 4 days in ICU. 7 days total in hospital. Doing fair until started having sharp pains in the buttocks , both legs ached, and found out in 2010 my SI joints were taking on too much stress from the first fusion. Had the left SI joint Fused in January of 2011 and now having the right SI joint Fused in a week and a half. It's been a long road for me and everyone else out there. Just keep moving, take one day at a time, and don't give up.

I had a microdiscectomy at L5-S1 two weeks ago and missed my follow up appointment today because my right leg pain is so bad I could not leave the house. I was having some good days earlier this week, wondering if I pushed it too far by doing a long walk on Wednesday but I felt great after the walk. I have two young kids and the surgery has been a huge stress on my wife,who works full time already and now has to do 100 percent of parenting as well. Looking for advice, answers, maybe just a kind word from someone who's been there before. Very happy I found this forum.

Hi~ I dont want to add to your stress of getting better..but I am 4 months post op and I have more bad days than good lately. I have made incredible progress though. I am no longer using a walker, which I had to use for the first few weeks. They removed my ligaments, fused spine and have 3 rods. I know I have come a long way, but I had no idea it would take this long! I am still out of work, although my job has been great and they allowed me to work part time from home. I can't drive yet, mainly because of the meds, but it is very painful to even be a passenger in a car over 5 minutes.Some days are better, but lately there are alot of days that I can't even stand up straight. The meds help, but not as much as I had hoped for. I think I am just getting used to them. It has taken a huge toll on my personal life, I am usually very active in the summer and I have done nothing. I am 43 years old. I am hearing from alot of people that state it took them a good 2 years to feel better,UGHHH. Feel free to writet back, sometimes it helps to compare notes =) I hope you feel better!

Hi~ I dont want to add to your stress of getting better..but I am 4 months post op and I have more bad days than good lately. I have made incredible progress though. I am no longer using a walker, which I had to use for the first few weeks. They removed my ligaments, fused spine and have 3 rods. I know I have come a long way, but I had no idea it would take this long! I am still out of work, although my job has been great and they allowed me to work part time from home. I can't drive yet, mainly because of the meds, but it is very painful to even be a passenger in a car over 5 minutes.Some days are better, but lately there are alot of days that I can't even stand up straight. The meds help, but not as much as I had hoped for. I think I am just getting used to them. It has taken a huge toll on my personal life, I am usually very active in the summer and I have done nothing. I am 43 years old. I am hearing from alot of people that state it took them a good 2 years to feel better,UGHHH. Feel free to writet back, sometimes it helps to compare notes =) I hope you feel better!

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Post Edited by Authority Member Liz