3 month post-op appoitment????????

  • Thread starter Thread starter killian123
  • Start date Start date
K

killian123

Guest
So Iam 3 months post from a L5/S1 PLIF with cage, roRAB and screws and had my Neuro appointment 5 days ago. X-rays were done a day prior to my appointment and results showed no sign of fusion
 
I'd say see if you can get an appointment with another neurosurgeon and/or orthopedic spine surgeon IF your doctor won't see you to discuss your symptom exacerbation.

It seems far too early to release you to a heavy job and it's as if he thinks "we'll it may fail so what the heck" which seems so wrong on too many different levels. He should be erring on the side of caution. A one level fusion and heavy job don't match up with returning this soon

I don't mean to be too dramatic but perhaps a visit to an emergency room is required if your surgeon will not see you on an urgent basis.
 
This just sounRAB wrong on so many levels... What the heck ??? I would be seeking a second opinion big time !!!


No therapy ?? Okay to start smoking ?? Lift anything you want ??? SounRAB to me like hes trying to get your fusion to fail in my opinion.. That makes no sense !!
 
I am susrprised that any surgeon would release you at only three months to go back to a physical job with heavy lifting...especially since there was no sign of fusion on the x-ray. And why in the world would any doctor tell you that you can start smoking again. If full fusion isn''t there you don't need to be smoking....and after you have quit why would you start again?

Are you sure he was the same doctor that did your surgery? Maybe he has an evil twin...
 
I definately would not be doing it. I am 10 months post op from a fusion at L2-L3. I had a 20 pound lifting restriction at three months. I was still doing PT at that point as well. They cut through the back muscles to get to your spine. They dont just regain their strength by themselves and if the muscles are weak, it leaves them and your disks open to injury. I dont want to have to do my surgery again.

It seems that the doc is putting all his faith into the hardware. I have read many stories on her about people breaking their hardware and requiring surgery to fix it.

As I said before, I'm at 10 months and am still having some pain. It can take 12-18 months for the fusion to be fully healed. Take your time and do it right. Make this recovery your only one.

Please take care of yourself and best of luck!!!
 
I'd listen to what your body is telling you rather than what the surgeon said, the pain is telling you its to much, all that stress on the hardware with no fusion supporting it doesn't sound good plus theres all the stress going on the disc above too. Read countless stories of hardware breaking ,screws coming loose and disc blowing above and below the fusion i cant believe he cleared you for a pysically demanding job at this early stage with no fusion as well.

I went to see my family Doctor for advice this week even though i'm still seeing probably the same surgeon as you it sounRAB like. My family Doctor was very helpful maybe yours could advise you to what to do next, if its really hurting bad i'd go the ER.

Keep thinking i,ve read the most ridiculas thing on this subject but it keeps surprising me and turning up with worse. PT might have give you extra tips on moving heavy things too its not all excercises, i'm sure you know you lift with your legs with doing the work you do but your surgeon doesn,t know that you know.

good luck and take care
 
Back
Top