Three months after L3-L4-L5 fusion (TLIF) and laminectomies
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- Опубліковано 24 тра 2024
- Three months after L3-L4-L5 lumbar fusion and laminectomy at two levels. I just saw my surgeon and everything appears to be on track. The x-rays showed that all the hardware is in place. I have now been cleared for physical therapy, swimming, light weight lifting, and bike riding.
My Neurontin has been lowered with the goal of tapering off completely over the next several weeks. I can now take ibuprofen again.
Back pain and soreness is minimal and upper right leg pain is pretty much gone. I still have some numbness, tingling, and other odd sensations in the right foot and lower leg, as well as a little bit in the left foot. I think this is improving slowly with time and I have been walking better. I’m averaging about 3 to 5 miles per day. If I overdo things I definitely feel it for the next few days so I’m trying to be patient! 
Thanks for your video. I am 5 weeks post-op so your video really helped me to ease up on myself and slow down so I have a good fusion. I heard all these other people who were walking 10 miles a day, and I’m struggling to get 1.5 miles a day right now, safely. You are right - it is variable.
I completely fell into that trap of thinking that I needed to be walking like 10 miles a day based on what some other people had done. I think those are the extreme cases. If you are doing one and a half miles, you are just fine. I wish you continued success in your recovery!
I’m at the 2 month mark and already feeling so much better. My right leg doesn’t hurt at all. Before my surgery I was always in so much pain. You mentioned just standing in line at stores or an event , and I can totally relate. My surgeon said that would probably take a full year to recover so I’m patient doing everything he tells me to do. I’m glad I came across your testimony. Thank you so much.
It sounds like you are well on your way to recovery! That is great news. And yes, you will absolutely recover more over the next several months or longer. Good luck and keep us posted!
Thanks for sharing your experience with us!
I just went through a laminectomy procedure on the 16th. Also L3-L4-L5. I was up for fusion for this area, but we decided to try the laminectomies first, perhaps stave off the fusion for a few more years yet. Won't know if that was the right decision or not for another 6 months or more, but I really would like to avoid fusion for as long as I can. I wish you luck and a speedy recovery with your procedure!
Sounds like you are doing great! I was told it would take a full year for the fusion to heal. I am probably older than you, I wrote you in your first video, you were walking. I am 62 years old. I haven’t had procedure yet. My surgeon said no Laminectomy but fusion is needed. The Lami would make my back unstable.
I’ve had some ups and downs and even at almost 2 years post surgery I’m still learning how my body works and reacts. But the surgery needed to be done. Let me know if you end up having surgery and how that goes.
Very informative video. I had operation on L 4/5 S1 many years ago now Need Fusion pars fracture spondylitis 70 retired law enforcement having major problems walking now due to dad fall some months ago just wait for operation just uncertain due to age. Thanks for video.
I wish you the best with the operation!
I'm nearly 76. Surgery has been recommended, but have declined. Not the greatest specimen of health or fittness, but weight is in check, no pain that it's bad enough that I just can't do anything. Just standing for period of time and R leg is weak and atrophy is evident. Stairs are a challenge. I'm just not mentally convinced surgery with a long recovery is in my best interest. Good luck to all that have had it done and reaped rewards and benefits from it.
This really resonated with me. Thank you so much
You are welcome!
Had L3-L5 fusion with lamenectomies as well. Made it 8 months post surgery doing great until I had a slip and fall on black ice last spring 2023. Blew out the disks both above and below the original fusion. Now going in for more surgery in a couple of weeks finally, getting L2-L3 and L5-S1 fused. They're going to replace and add new rods to cover L2-S1.
I hope it all goes well. Please keep us posted.
Thank you. Just had a fusion at l4-l5. Third back surgery. One prior fusion and one laminectomy. Your experience gives me hope. That “I’ve ruined my fusion” feeling. Glad that’s not unique. Feet still numb. I’ll give it time
Still surprised by the post-procedure depression. It was shorter this time since I had a nerve block instead of general anesthesia.
Thanks for the video. It conveys hope.
Good luck my friend! Please keep us posted…
Thank you L3-SI for me
Did you already have the surgery?
I am going to have the same surgery you have had Nov. 1. Hope I have the same outcome you have!
Good luck and let me know how it goes!
Otis Bowman I'm having an L4 L5 fusion on November 1st. Good luck to you!
Hey you’re doing great ! over the past 20 years I’ve had eight back surgeries
Three fusions hardware cages spacers screws brackets all the good stuff.
The reason I’m commenting, you were talking about your x-ray too quick to tell on bone growth activity check out osteoblastic activity and callus bridging that’ll answer a lot of your questions again an x-ray even 3 to 4 months out is still tough to see I don’t know your original diagnosis if you had a lateral or central disc herneatiom you had compression on a certain nerve root but when the nerve root scars it takes 6 to 8 months again it depends how long the nerve root had compression or displacement to get that full or partial sensation back keep up with your PT and your exercises and do as much as you can do each day I get great benefits from cryotherapy reduces a lot of my pain
Good luck to you
Thank you - that is great info! I’m now 15 months out and things looked to have fused nicely. Trying to stay active as much as possible…
@@bds1367 You’re welcome Most people who are non-surgical don’t understand what you’re going through over the past year the frustration PAIN they never experienced severe lumbar pain when you are talking to them it goes in one ear and out the other
If you still get sciatica pain here and there are consistently I recommend the piriformis stretch 2 to 3 different ways of doing it find the one that works for you best the piriformis muscle is on top of the sciatica nerve
@@bds1367 Hey not to be a stick in the mud
Do u have spasms..seven years out..pain, feel like my cages are out of whack..pain is bad
Going next week for l-4 l5 fusion. This will be surgery #14 in 5.5 years. 2 knee replacements, 1 revision, laminectomy & discectomy both late last year and broke my femur when knee gave out. The rest were scopes and the like. This fusion has me scared. I was able after each of the past procedures to be back on the Peloton after 4 weeks. Not use to being sedentary. Wife claims I have adult ADD. Thanks for the video. Gives me hope.
You are welcome Mario! You will get through this but take it slow. It’s a challenging recovery process but very doable. Good luck and keep us updated!
just came across your video. it was really good to watch and hear your comments. Glad you are doing well, returning to activities and optimistic about the future. I know it's a year old and am curious how you are feeling now. I'm three months from TLIF s-1 through l-4 and experiencing almost exactly all the symptoms you spoke of. How are you doing now? Thank you!
Thanks Charlie! I have some recent videos that chart my progress - but basically I’m at a point now where I’m probably maxed out. I still have some odd feelings in my feet but I’ve found some shoes that work ok. I also keep off-road crocs in my backpack just in case I need them! I’ll never be 100% but I can hike again and I’m not on pain meds. After a while, most of the battle is psychological. I can kind of tune out the strange feelings most of the time.
I really want to hear how your surgery goes. Have faith that you will come out better! But the recovery is no joke - lots of ups and downs but in the end it will be worth it my friend!
Wow i thought it was just me. Same numbness and tingling. Love to know it goes away
Sounds like you are doing great! I was told it would take a full year for the fusion to heal. I am probably older than you, I wrote you in your first video, you were walking. I am 62 years old. I haven’t had procedure yet. My surgeon said no Laminectomy but fusion is needed. The Lami would make my back unstable.
For more than 7 years I have been living with absolutely the same operation! About a year later, when the scar tissue began to ripen, there were extremely severe pains. Thank God that I live in Crimea and we have spinal sanatoriums with mud therapy - two months after the start of treatment, I gave up painkillers. Convalescence to you!
Thank you! How are you doing in general? Did the surgery alleviate your symptoms?
@@bds1367 Thanks! As we say, the difference is like between heaven and earth. The condition completely stabilized after about 2 years, but in general I felt good immediately after the operation. The surgery saved me from a wheelchair.
@@Alistratov1971 I am so glad to hear that! And I know full recovery doesn't happen for a year or two. These last few weeks for me have gone better and I am now hiking again. I feel this surgery saved me as well. Continued success to you!
Have questions
Glad you are improving. I had a L4-L5 tlif back In December so I am 3 months out now and have been doing PT for 2 weeks that has helped some. I too will have some numbness that seems to move around different parts of my lower legs. I was wondering if you have any sciatic pain? I seem to get some on my right side that comes and goes which makes me hope it's just from swelling and healing in my back not another bad disc starting. My surgeon just said it's the body getting used to the hardware and things have to settle. I haven't returned to work yet cause I'm a firefighter and not even close to being able to perform the duties. Would like to stay in touch since we are pretty close in recovery time.
Hey Tom - good to hear from you. Did you have a lot of numbness in your feet/legs beforehand? You are definitely in that timeframe where numbness, pain, etc. will move around and come and go. I agree that your body is getting used to the hardware and in full recovery mode. Nerves are extremely sensitive and take a while to settle. Sometimes a year or more! You will continue to have inconsistent sensations and pain for a while longer I would guess. I doubt very much its another segment/disc going bad. Hang in there my friend!
I don't have too much sciatic pain at this point but once in a while I feel a little something. My back itself feels pretty good but a little stiff when trying to bend. I avoid bending in any big way and focus on using my legs.
For me, my feet are the big issue and were before the surgery. Unfortunately about 2 weeks ago I was getting back into the gym and something got aggravated (at least I hope it was just aggravation) and now my left (good) foot feels funny. I'm back to wearing crocs again for the most part after just getting comfortable in regular shoes at some level. Very frustrating. I have good strength but its the numbness that makes walking a little funny at times. I'm sure I will always have a some foot problems moving forward but I was getting used to it. I'm very active so this is hard!
My surgeon got an x-ray and he says my fusion is in place and bone is forming so I didn't screw (pun intended) up anything too bad I guess.
Continue to take it easy and when you think you are as healed as can be, give yourself another time cushion to make sure. There are so many ups and downs in this process. You WILL get through it...please keep me posted!
@BD S The sciatic I sometimes get will stop in the right hip. Went to PT today they mainly have me doing light weights and some core exercises. I can get 1 plank for 20 sec with little pain but after I rest from the first one the next three are extremely painful. PT says it's weakness since I was pretty much down for a month before surgery. Sitting for any amount of time longer then 30 min gets a little numbness started in legs(knees down). I can usually lay back I'm my recliner for longer periods without discomfort but that's not good for back strengthening I wouldn't think. I'll get my 3 1/2 month xray the 21st hopefully that will be good news too. I usually do 9000-10000 steps a day pretty easily sometimes I just feel I should do more but waiting for my x-ray. I'll stay in touch and thanks for listening..
@@tomleith3546 Your daily steps are impressive! I have the same issues with sitting for long periods and numbness. Get up and walk a bit as much as possible. Even a few steps will help! Definitely let me know how the X-ray goes. I really think your pain will improve with time.
@@bds1367 well the Xray showed all is good with the hardware and that fusion is healing. He also ordered a MRI just to make sure the pain i am having is not another disc. He said it looked good and there was no further disc problems. He really seems to think it is muscular along with my body getting used to the hardware. he reminded me i was only 3 months out and that i"m still early in the recovery which is still hard for me to wrap my head around. i am gonna lower my daily steps some and see if that helps some.
@@tomleith3546 that is great news! You are on a good track from what you described. Cutting back the steps a little as you suggested is a smart move…play it safe and build from there.
I will be getting an MRI next week as I still have these new symptoms in the other foot. Hoping that I just aggravated things at the gym and it will get better. I should have taken things slower myself!
Good luck.????
Are you good now??have you lifts some weight??
L3 L4 fusion on Weds...hope it goes well
I too fear about omg I ruined my fusion at L5 S1due to doing something stupid. I expected to bounce back too but the body is taking its own time. Had to push my plans for more physical activities down the road.
I hear you on that!
Hi bro I had TLIF surgery for l5 s1 level. Now I am in 10 weeks I still have stiffness in my back and little pain in back and but I have sciatica pain in my left leg it’s come and go
How long sciatica take to solve, is this sciatica pain normal? And I had hip pain sometimes
Everything that you describe sounds normal to me. My back is still a little stiff in that area but when you have a fusion, everything is kind of locked together and you lose mobility.
I don’t get much pain at this point, but I get a little bit from time to time. The sciatica will likely get better, but I still have remnants of it, especially when I exercise a lot.
I went through a period of time where I had more hip pain but that resolved. It’s different for everybody, but I would expect that most people continue to have at least mild stiffness and pain issues - fusions aren’t perfect, but they are a whole lot better than the alternative (at least in my case).
However, you are still early in the process of healing! The bone can take a long time to heal and the nerves even longer! I think more improvement is on the way…
Hi dear ,
I had spinal surgery after 4 months , but i have the problem of less feeling in my feet and toe , and i feel hardness and tightness in my left foot , please advice me what to do , thanks
Hello - if you had surgery 4 months ago then I think there is a chance your feet will improve a bit more with time as the nerves heal. My feet will always have a loss of feeling to some degree but I’m getting used to it. Increased activity over time helped me. Learning what aggravates it (for me it’s sitting) is also important, as is finding the right shoes. I tried several different types before I found the right match. Skechers seem to work best for me. Good luck with your recovery and let me know how it goes!
@@bds1367 thank you so much Brother ,
Does walking too much is good for this ?
@@safiasari4011 I think walking will help with recovery but check with your doctor or physical therapist. You don’t want to overdo it either.
@@bds1367 thank you Brother for your best Advice
Hi, I'd love to talk to you about your situation. I'm 66 and a teaching tennis pro (or was) until i was diagnosed with SPINAL STENOSIS L4/L5. I'm doing PT, I've seen 2 neurosurgeons. One says lamenectomy + fusion the other says try PT first and maybe lamenectomy only.
I'm scared to death. I can't believe overnight my life has come to a complete physical standstill. Id really really like to hear your situation ... You look much younger, I'm guessing in your 40's/50's and can't believe this has happened to you so young. Please get back to me! tks David~
Hey David - sorry to hear this is happening to you. Yeah I’m in my early 50’s - it’s sucks but I’m getting through it and not letting it stop me. If you watch my recent videos you’ll see I’m pretty active again.
What symptoms do you have? Unless things are rapidly deteriorating, PT may be worth a shot. If you can get away with just a laminectomy that is much easier to return from.
The idea of a fusion was scary in the beginning but it really does stabilize things. I’m glad I did it! The tough part is the recovery…you have to take it slow. Definitely a marathon and not a sprint!
I got it at the age of 24 only. Most of the time I feel it is the end. (Thanks to God whatever the situation we belong otherwise it could get worst).
@@mohammedsharon752 there can be many dark days during this process…I hope you are doing ok
@@bds1367 Hey BD thanks for writing back. First let me say I've been very hard on my body athletically for 50+ years. I've had both knees and both hips replaced and 2 rotator cuff surgeries. But i came back from all of them and am (or was until recently) teaching and playing a high level of tennis. I couldn't run marathons or 5k's but within the confines of a tennis court i was good! Then just about a month ago out of the blue i woke up one morning and had such pain in my right leg i couldn't walk. MRI said i have 'severe spinal stenosis' on L4/L5 . First neurosurgeon said lamenectomy+ fusion and left the room in less than 60 seconds. I went to a pain/Psyiatrist who gave me some kind of shot in my back under an X-Ray machine. Went to a second neurosurgeon who actually heard of me through tennis and said try PT first and if need be we'll do a lamenectomy, but not fusion. He felt the fusion would cause problems later above the lumbar (whatever that's called).
So here i am at 4 weeks of PT. It's helped some, but i still hurt when walking. I can't walk my dog and definitely can't play/teach tennis. I've been looking at video after video on the subject and it's freaking me out. I'm guessing I'll have to do the lamenectomy eventually. And if so id rather do it now rather than later so I'm ready for summer. But the question is will i be the same afterwards. No one ever thought id play again after the replacements. 3 months and you're good to go on those. But please tell me about the laminectomy with and without fusion. And being younger than i, are you able to 'play sports?' i don't mean football or rough stuff. Tennis... Running, twisting stopping and turning within the confines of a tennis court. What's your activities and how are you faring. How's the recovery, or what's the recovery like??? 🫤 I'll admit I'm worried. I appreciate any help!!!
@@mohammedsharon752 at 24??? WHY? and how are you now? How old are you now? Can you run, can you play cricket? How's your body physically???
How soon could you start golfing again?
Well…I don’t golf but I do coach travel softball. I hit lots of grounders/fly balls which is about as close as I get to a golf swing. I started doing that about 8-9 months after surgery.
@@bds1367I play slow pitch...hoping I can get there in 6 to 8 months
@@calabis I think that’s doable! Good luck with it!