L3-L5 lumbar fusion (TLIF) (22 months post surgery) - still trying to improve after setback!
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- Опубліковано 12 бер 2023
- These last few months continue to be challenging. I initially aggravated things at the gym in early November 2022. I tried to stay active but things got worse again in December and I was unable to wear regular shoes. Lots of numbness, tingling, burning, and pain in both legs/feet.
Then in January my back became painful and very stiff, preventing me from doing some of my regular activities. It all culminated in a ER visit in early January 2023 - a back CT was normal but I was placed on a short course of steroids to calm things down and also restarted on Neurontin (gabapentin). My surgeon ordered an MRI which I did in mid-January and it showed a good fusion with no new areas of concern.
I have improved since my last video (although as I write this I am having a bad left foot day for whatever reason). I have been wearing normal shoes at work and have been building up to about 8K+ steps per day (including some elliptical workouts). My leg/feet symptoms are better but not back to baseline. The biggest change is that my back stiffness is almost entirely gone. Alternating cold and heat packs seemed to do the trick. I have also been weaning off of Neurontin again.
I am curious if any of you experience exaggeration of nerve symptoms or nerve sensitivity with changes in weather? In my area, we have had numerous storms come through and I wonder if that is affecting me in some way. I have read up on it and it sounds as though instrumentation in your back can react to weather (e.g., metal conducts cold more than body tissues, etc.), as well as scar tissue.
Glad you're feeling better!!! Thanks for sharing. Your videos have helped me so much. I appreciate your transparency.
I've been following your videos to monitor your progress because I was told I needed the same surgery. Sorry to hear about your recent setback. In your last video you mentioned having pain above and below your fusion which doesn't surprise me because these areas are taking on more stress to compensate for the lack of cushioning and mobility in the fused area. This is a common problem with people who have had fusions and one of the reasons I am trying to avoid this surgery.
Like me, you like to stay active physically which will add stress to the regions above and below your fusion. I like to golf which places a lot of strain on the lower back. I know that if I have this fusion I either quit playing golf or I accept the consequences of further damage and more fusions in the future. I would not want to repeat what your going through in 5 years or less if I continue to golf.
I've seen some improvement in my left leg and foot symptoms since I replied to you last. I've done this through stretching and core strengthening exercises. Meditation also seems to help, but my symptoms do vary from day to day depending on the level of physical activity. Will I continue to improve, I don't know. But what improvement I have seen has come very slowly. Keep us informed about your progress
My wife is 3rd week recovering L5 to S1 surgery. Fusion surgery. She went and voted and we went to dinner after this evening. I wish you all well.
I wish you both the best!
Your path and symptoms are very much a mirror of my own. I had L2-L4 fusion 3/22 and 13 months later a L5 laminectomy. I had to fight for 5 years with the severe pain at work (very physical) to make it to Medicare, so I had really irritated the nerves to a great degree. I had very quick results initially through PT, but, like you, got much inflammation and numbness as time wore on, went to the Gabapentin, was sorry I did (really nasty side effects), have gotten off of it in the last weeks and still have some numbness and issues walking and numbness with extended standing. The nerves are very slow to forget insult - very, very slow. I'm a biologist and have done a lot of research and my doctors have been very good about talking with me about this issue at a deep level. And they don't really know how long nerves how a grudge. But they do. I've never heard of or experienced weather related flare ups in nerves. Joints may respond to barometric changes due to the fluid capsules in the joints, but I can't see how nerves would - but who knows? DO NOT LOSE PATIENCE OR HOPE! I survived 5 years of pretty rough times at 60 years of age, working with people less than half my age, just to get to relief from chronic, debilitating pain. Everything now is just irritating and inconvenient - First World problems. My best to you.
Thank you for the information and words of encouragement!
It's uncanny how we are mirroring each other....both with the surgery and symptoms! I had the exact same surgery as you have had 6 1/2 months ago. (L3-L5 decompression and fusion). I too am having lots of nerve issues, mostly in both legs (ice cold freezing sensations), numbness in both feet, right hip pain, and also a new stiffness in my back along with back pain, which I didn't have before. Still using a grabber for everything almost! I had a CT scan and things are still in place. I am due for an MRI in two weeks and we'll see what that brings. I did take a bad fall a couple of weeks ago. This seemed to make things worse. All in all this is not how I thought things would be at this point. However, before the surgery I could hardly walk at all either. So... I am talking things more slowly and still hoping for the best.
Wow that is very similar! I still think you can improve over the next several months. The nerve stuff especially - it takes time!
I had ALIF L5-S1 done about 16 months ago and I totally understand where your at. I was doing fine following surgery but then the pain and stiffness slowly returned. My doctor thinks it’s arthritis (I’m 45, 28yrs as a metal worker)
I also have the tingling in my feet and ankles, sometimes it feels like bugs crawling on my skin. I’m back in PT and have been seeing a trainer at my gym to try and gain core strength.
That is very helpful information. I will attempt to do the same! Good luck to you!
Just to add...YES! I DO think the weather makes things worse for me. I am in the San Francisco area....a bit north. And this continual cold and rainy weather definitely seems tp make things worse for me! I can;t wait for some sun and warmer temps so that I might feel like getting out and walking again.
I am so much happy you feel better!Already 4 month past my L3L4L4L5 but I don't have any change.My legs buttucks hips burning a lot.
You are still in your recovery phase and have time to get better. I really hope you get some relief. Keep us posted.
Hop om vitc and vit d and calcuim tabs and more over have good diets and check out on how to reduce muscle spasms.
Did the legs and buttocks pain ever resolve?
I am 12 months post op from having a lumbar fusion (L-5 S1). The weather does affect me. I have more stiffness and pain. I was born with CP and it affects my legs. This fusion recovery has been really tough for me. I'm back in physical therapy twice a week.
Thanks for sharing your story. I hope you get more relief soon…
Yes, for me cold/wet weather definitely leads to more irritated nerve roots and symptoms are stronger. Perhaps it's the blood supply that's a little reduced, but possibly it's simply a sign of permanent nerve damage.
I haven't seen all of your videos so I may have missed something at the beginning. Is it clear that your L5S1 segment does not irritate the L5 and S1 nerves? I'm asking because you often mention symptoms in your feet, and L5 and S1 nerve fibers provide most of the nerves that control sensation in the feet.
Thanks for the update! Good luck.
Good question - most of my foot issues are top of foot, big toe, and adjacent toes (so more L4-L5 I suppose).
I’m hoping for improvement as the weather warms up!
I am at three months plus post L5 S1 fusion. My physio is taking things dead slow and I have seen if I try to do more my back immediately gets stiff and pain increases. The nerve pain in my right leg still shows but not at a frequency and intensity as prior to surgery. Looks like this is a long battle.
It is definitely a long battle!! I’m glad things are better. My guess is that you will continue to improve…
I am day 25 post-op of my S1-L4 fusion and the back is great however my left foot/calf has been acting up with a very strong nerve pain. I saw one of the assistants today and told me due to how compressed my nerves were, it is trying to rejuvenate itself and could be firing in ways it hasn’t for years. He states it can take quite some time to heal. We also decided to prescribe a week long steroid plan as it could still be from the inflammation with how bad things were. It would be nice to get some rest which helps with the healing and desperately need that.
It may not be long for me post-op but I was talking about the weather today with a few people as I now believe I am in that number that can say the pressure does makes things feel more “achy”? It is weird but whenever we get that cold rain, the nerves seem to act out a bit more? Not quite sure but it seems to be that way. Thanks again for sharing and I hope now for you, it continues to progress to improve and bring you relief!
Thank you Steve! Best of luck to you!
I had surgery in 2020 (L4-S1} In 2021 all my hardware was replaced and L2-S1 was fused with full discectomy. The only advise I could give is to only have fusion surgery if there is no other option. I'm 2 years removed from my second surgery and I'm now seeking a neurologist for a second opinion. Trust me when I say over 40% of back surgeries are considered failed back surgeries where the patient is worse off than before. Please review all your options before going under the knife.
I would say 40% stays short.
If you had a back surgery (artificial disc replacement of fusion at one level or more), you will never be the same. After back surgery, you exchange one original pain for a whole collection of new ones. To this point, I do not know what is worse. I’ve had 3 lumbar surgeries (3 ADR’s from L3 to S1) in 2002, 2005 and 2016 and, today, I can hardly walk a few meters.
The back is serious stuff.
Hope you’re all well and doing better.
My back let's me know before it rains. Cold weather and fused backs don't go together.
No they don’t!
Do you regret having the fusion?
22 months in and you have numbness, tingling, burning, and pain in your legs...
SO, WHAT IS CAUSING ALL OF THESE symptoms???
No regrets. I was hardly able to walk beforehand, and it was just going to get worse. I think I overdid it in some ways over the past few months, and that led to an exacerbation of symptoms.
@@bds1367 Thank you for your prompt reply.
I hope you get relief soon.
I was asking because I had Lumbar Laminectomy in 12/2020 and of course, I've been having bilateral Groin Muscle pains, that radiates to the Quads, and tend to tighten my thighs (as in Stenosis). Today I had my 4th. or 5th. Transforaminal Epidural Injection since then at L3-L4 levels that give me about 4 months of relief. However, orthopedic (3-4) surgeons have suggested spinal fusion with different variations in techniques and approaches. Of course, I am terrified of precisely the same experience that you are having ( It wasn't a total success).
@@raulocasio9168 yeah with fusions I think the goal is to feel like you improved but I think very few people are symptom-free. I do fully expect that I will get back to my normal activities as the weather heats up and I stay smart about how I do things. But I also know that I will have certain symptoms that will always be there, and I have to work around them.
I had l5 s1 TLIF surgery 5 months back I still have leg pain and stiffness, any suggestions
Walking usually helps me. You still have many months of recovery ahead - I hope things improve for you.
@@bds1367 thanks for reply