8-weeks post decompression L4-5 fusion - leg pain

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I seem to have more leg pain now than I've had in a while. A corabination of pain and ache (more ache than pain). Is this normal? I am a little concerned because I had planned to return to work tomorrow. I am walking everyday and wonder if I should reduce this to every other day?
 
You will find that the curve of the healing process does not continue in smooth, upward progress. Almost everyone takes a few steps forward and then one back. Every time you think you've turned the corner and are really getting better, you'll find a new little twinge, or niggling pain. It is all just part of the healing process. The idea is to do what you can, but listen to your body. If you feel sore from an activity, take a day off, or cut back.

I would suggest that you try to walk every day, several times per day, but for a shorter time and distance...and don't worry about speed at this point. You want to build up strength in muscles that maybe haven't been used in awhile. You can actually hurt yourself by going too fast (too soon).

Be patient. Healing takes MUCH longer than any of us think it should.
 
Thank you again. There are definitely up's and down's in the healing process and I need to accept this I guess. Not sure if I am walking too much or not. I walk daily a half hour each day, rain or shine. It seems like there is more discomfort in the legs from extended sitting than there used to be.
 
I think what fools us is how slow the recovery still is no matter what we do and no matter how we happen to feel on a particular day. It's hard to wrap my mind around the fact that until my spine is fused I am still in recovery no matter how I feel on a particular day. The reality started to sink in when my home nurse (who works exclusively for this surgeon) told me that if mine was a workman's comp case he'd have me home for 15 months, no questions asked. That recovery takes that long and he only handles private disability differently because he knows our financial coverage is different. I am now 10 weeks post op and I can no longer point to aspects of recovery. I can get by at home, doing light housework and walking what must be miles through my house on a regular basis. Thought processes feel good again in spite of still being on meRAB. But I cringe at the thought of getting up at 4 am, leaving at 6 am, getting home at 5 pm. I either do it or I don't...no trial runs.

So, just know we're with you and we're also experiencing the bumps and starts and stops.
 
I've been finding the same thing happening to me. Two days ago I had a major increase in back pain, leg pain starting, foot pain - enough to really frighten and depress me. Thinking perhaps I had pushed myself way too far, I spent almost all the next day in bed, and that seems to have taken care of it.

However, it really is starting to make me worry about returning to work on the 15th. Once I'm back, that's it - all disability cuts out and most of my sick and vacation time for the year is already taken. I can re-apply for disability but I need to wait 30 days if it's for the same issue. As a neigrabroador asked me, "Can you do it? Can you do it every day?"

So, MOM is right...3 steps forward, 1 step back.
 
Paula, no question we get lulled into a false sense of security because we want so much to get better and get on with our lives. But you are absolutely correct, back surgery requires a long recovery and we have to accept the fact that tomorrow we may not feel as good as we feel today. I have certainly learned that in my recovery now 8 weeks post op. I'll learn just how well I am fusing next month when I see the doc.

'Seems I have more discomfort in my legs lately than in my back and it comes and goes. The big news though is that today was my first day back in the office. I woke up pretty achy in the legs but as the day went on, I didn't feel that bad. Tomorrow, who knows. Many of my co-workers who have either had back surgery or know someone who had, were amazed that I was back so early. Frankly, I am amazed. But I don't want to jump the gun. I'll let you know how I feel next week. Hang in there Paula.
 
It's been 5 months since my laminectomy/discectomy. My back is feeling better most of the time and I don't have the siactic nerve pain but my left leg aches ALOT. It feels heavy at times, slow to respond and aches if I sit too long. I have been complaining about a sharp pain to the right of the back of the calf since I was in the hospital. The PA says by now I should be fine. I wonder if this is permanent since I was jerked around by workmanscomp for 3 years before getting surgery. I can't imagine going back to work yet. I have exhausted my18 years of sick, vacation and workmanscomp time so now I am on an unpaid leave.
 
I am 5weeks out from 3 level laminectomy and can relate. I have been walking 2 mi a day but have taken the last two off. My legs were also beginning to hurt and I was having more lower back pain. I called the pa and she said to back off a little on the walking so far and walk more often with less distance. Some days are much better than others and at times I too get discouraged. When I get down I start thinking about before surgery when I couldn't walk 200 feet. I consider myself lucky that the surgery does appear to be successful, but the recovery is not what I imagined.

patti
 
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