4 years s/p L4-S1 fusion surgery

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mel1977

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It has been four years since my successful surgery. I have been experiencing more pain around my fusion lately-achy and sore, though no specific area. I have some increase in leg pain that is and is not nerve related. The nerve pain isn't horrible and it only comes and goes, but the pain in my hips and low back is def worse. I haven't had any pain really since the surgery. It is really interrupting sleep the most as well as sitting and standing. I do have an appt with an ortho doc for a check up but not for almost four weeks and I was hoping someone who also had success could give me their experience.
It could be arthritis, or scar tissue, or worse, a level above getting worse. Anyway, just thought I would share.
 
You're right that this could be coming from a variety of cuases. Hopefully they'll consider an MRI and/or CT with contrast. Sometimes this pain can be from hardware as well. I've heard of a "hardware block", often done by a pain management doctor, that tests to see if the pain is hardware based.

I had problems at L3 so had to have my fusion re-done. I had thought some of my pain was from my hardware, especially since it was 17 years old, and indeed I feel better with the new hardware in.

One thing to look for, and question, is how the area is looking. After my surgery, and based on my MRI, etc, the surgeons said the L4-S1 area had straightened too much (instead of having a natural curve it it). So for my surgery this year they put a "spacer" between L3 and L4 so that this time the fusion would maintain a normal curve. Just a question you may want to ask. From what my surgeons said the straightening of the curve could have been part of my pain as it changed my back mechanics a lot.
 
I appreciate your feedback-I never even thought of that (the loss of curve). I am hoping my PCP will order an MRI or CT prior to me seeing the ortho so I have something to compare to the MRI I had done a couple years ago. Doesn't make sense to see him with an old one just to probably have him order another. I'd rather not make the process even longer having to have it then make ANOTHER appointment. I hope it isn't anything, maybe some PT would help, but with my schedule at work and school I can't really get in enough times in a week for it to make a difference. The only way it would help is if he had me take short term disability while I get this taken care of, what ever it is that neeRAB to be done. Guess we'll see!
I was 26 when I had my second surgery (the fusion) and now I'm 32, so guess it has been 6 years!!!! WOW, I thought it was four lol.
 
For what is worth I am experiencing exactly the same symptoms you describe. Lower back pain and pain in the hips with some nerve pains down the legs.

However, I had my L4/5 fusion just 6 months ago. My lower back and hips are riddled with arthritis and I guess it may be down to that.

I am a teacher and have to stand for most of the day. However, the pain prevents this.

I cannot sleep at night either on my sides or back. My hips are tender and my lower back stiffens up and seems to tell me to move. There is no comfortable position for me.

I would be interested to know the cause of your problems. Keep us informed.
 
Hi there

I had L4-5-S1 over 10 years ago. It may well be that L2 or L3 are the source of your problems now. I suffer from constant hip and lower back pain and my advise for what it's worth is to decline additional surgery, find a really good physio and concentrate on exercise theraphy - I had L2 & L3 decompressed/laminectomy but regret not finding physio sooner. You'll probably always have back pain but it's best to mitigate the scaring & related pain through conservative mgt. Good luck with your appt
 
You might also want to check your SI joint. A little over two years after my fusion, mine started acting up. I didn't realize what it was at first though. I thought it was my pinched nerve. I got two injections (in the back) and wondered why they didn't work. Well, that's because the cause was my hip joint, not my impinged nerve. My main and most painful symptom (and one of the most common with SI problems) was when I got out of bed. I could hardly walk from the bed (in the morning) and to the bathroom. Once on the toilet, the pain on my right hip was horrendous. It also seemed to have a heartbeat of it's own. Not sure if these symptoms match yours, but if they do-ask your doc to check your SI joints. Good Luck!!....janiee:)
 
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