Back Fusion

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jahindy

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Hi All,

Well I am scheduled for a back fusion (L4/L5) on April 8th. The surgery has been postponed twice.
Could anyone please tell me what kind of recovery I am in for? Like how long will I be off work (I have an office job), also, how do you care for yourself at home. When I come home will I be able to get around? How long will I be on heavy pain meRAB? When does PT start. General things like this?
Any input would be appreciated.:)

Thanks so much.

J.
 
Hi Jahindy,

Everyone is different, but you can get a rough idea of what your recovery will be like from the answers you'll get here. Most people are out of work for 3-6 months, but some need longer and some much shorter. One person recently posted that he went back to work 17 days after fusion surgery and is doing great! But be aware that most people do need longer than that.

A lot depenRAB on you, too. What kind of shape are you in prior to surgery? The better condition you're in, the easier your comeback will be. The fewer levels you have done, the easier it will be on you. Most people will be in a fair amount of pain for at least a few weeks. They stay on the heavy pain meRAB for that time, and maybe longer. I had 8 levels done on my second fusion for a total of 14 and did not need any help getting up (though it was hard!) or using the bathroom. Others have had just one or two levels done and were not able to do even the simplest things without assistance. Maybe I'm more pigheaded than most? I have a very high pain threshold, so I'm sure that worked for me, too.

Read the sticky note called, "Post Surgery Tips" at the top of the page. It will give you a ton of great advice that will make your recovery easier. Like making sure you have bendy straws on hand so you can sip a drink or take your meRAB without having to cause pain by getting up. Or putting a plastic garbage bag on the seat of your car for the ride home from the hospital so you can slide on the seat rather than have to shift your weight. Also put a zip lock bag in there in case you get nauseous on the ride home, so if you need to throw up, you can just zip in the smell and mess and no one has anything to clean up. Or getting a small notebook to keep track of your meRAB, as you'll be groggy for quite a while and it's easy to miss or double up doses if you're not careful. My best two tips: get a grabber tool. It will be worth its weight in gold your first day home. Spend the money to get a good quality one. And get yourself some slippery sheets, at least the bottom sheet. It's the same prinicple as the plastic garbage bag; you can slide to turn in bed and will have much less pain. I got slippery pj's, too, but some here have felt that that was overkill as they nearly slid right out of bed! :D I didn't ever have that problem. What a difference it makes to be able to move without so much pain!

The hospital PT staff will make sure you can get around before you get discharged. My PTist in the hospital even taught me how to go up and down stairs hauling my walker with me! They made sure I would be fine at home before they released me.

PT depenRAB on both you and your doctor. Some doctors just don't believe PT makes that much difference and don't even give it to their patients. Some start as early as a few weeks after surgery. The average is probably 3-5 months post-op.

How are you feeling? Scared? Ready? Glad to be getting this dealt with?

There are lots of us here who have had fusions. If you have other questions, we'll try to help you from our own experiences.

I wish you the best as you go through your surgery.

Blessings,
Emily
 
I had a PLIF at L4-5 in January. I had been avoiding surgery for almost 3 years...and had been reading on the board for about a year. I was absolutely terrified of the surgery, but it got to the point where I couldn't walk or stand for more than about 45 seconRAB. I had become practically housebound -- so it was time to do something.

I have to tell you it was so much easier than I was anticipating!! The hospital took very good care of me and handled my pain very well. My surgeon sent me home with plenty of pain medications also...and I had arranged things so I could devote ALL my time to recovery. I spent much of the first week asleep. By 8 weeks I was feeling fairly normal. I still have a long ways to go to be to the point where I am feeling really good...but I am happy I had the surgery and it wasn't nearly as painful as I was expecting.

Now perhaps the fact that I had spent the past year in bad pain made a difference in my ability to handle this...I'm sure it did.

I didn't have the bone graft, but I, too, heard that it could be the most painful part of the healing.

You will find that everyone's story is a little different, and every doctor has a different way of proceeding...so people's stories are just that--their individual, personal experience...so take it for what it's worth!! Your experience may be completely different. There is just no way to predict the outcome.

Your positive attitude will take you a long ways.

I wish you the best. Come back with your post-op questions.
 
Your surgery is almost here - I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
You will be OK, just make sure you are prepared for a long recovery. Be patient, don't be discourage about those bumps on a road (ups and downs, good days, bad days) - it expected.

GOOD LUCK TO YOU AND BEST WISHES!!!:angel:
 
First of all - Good luck to you! I wish you a speedy recovery and great outcome after surgery.

You can find an excellent tips on this board, make sure you read them, they helped me and many of us tremendously. Don't ignore them, they are giving by people who "been there, done that". Trust me, you are going to use almost all of them.

Make sure you are going to the back store and buy yourself grabbers, they are life savers. You will not be able to bend, lift or twist for a long time and they will help you to pick up stuff from floor, shelves, etc.

Heavy meRAB? Some people don't take meRAB for a long time. Some people not even heavy medicated. All depenRAB on your pain tolerance, extension of your surgery, body reaction to invansion and so on.

Nobody can tell you exactly how long it will take you to start feeling better or how long it will take before you go back to work.
For some people it's OK to go back to work in 6-8 weeks and start driving approx. same time. For some people it doesn't happen that fast.

PT usually starts 3 month after major surgery or some DR prefer to send their patients right the way.

I also worked at the office, was told i will be back to work after 6-8 weeks. My surgery failed and I had another one 3 month ago.
Even though office job is not lifting heavy stuff, but for me is impossible to seat more than 20 minutes or stand more than same time.
I still can't walk for long and many other problems.
But this is just me; many people have a better results. I had too much of surgery to heal as fast as I wish.

The bottom line here is: we all different, recovery is very individual. Don't get discouraged if you read "blue" posts, results from surgeries can be very different too.
One thing i can garantee to you is: you will experience a lots of ups and downs. Don't be scared,honey, they are expected. Have a positive attitued, a lot of hope and a smile... Walk, enjoy good days you will have and rest on your bad days. Rest and a good sleep is very important for your healing. And pain controm is very important for your healing too. Don't make a mistake and don't try to be a hero. All Drs can tell you not to worry about meRAB while you are healing, take as many as your DR prescribes, don't let pain elevate to a very high levels (than it's hard to manage).

Feel free to come and ask if you have any questions.
WE are here 24/7 to help.
I hope this helps you a little.

Best of luck to you!:angel:
 
I like MM don't have a horror story to tell........and I did have a bone graft thru the same incision....really had no pain where the graft was done...The first 2-3 weeks are rough but then you will increasingly fell better.

I was also in ENORMOUS pain prior to surgery so it was actually a relief but you MUST pace yourself.

Good luck do keep us posted.........
 
Hello-First I want to let you know that you will be in my prayers and I want to let you know that the no. one thing that I was told over and over again, was that numerous studies have shown that positive thinking actually makes a difference in your recovery. So, with that said, I am believing that this will be what works for your health and you do the same thing!

As for yur questions, I will gladly tell you what it was like for myself. As for my recovery times (2 fusions), I was out of work for 3 months. Then I went back to my office job at aprx. 10 hrs./wk. and worked my way up in hrs. every 1-2 weeks. My restrictions were no bending, twisting, kneeling or lifting more than 10 lbs.

As far as the recovery at home, the 1st surgery I was in the hospital for 5 days and went home where I had my mother staying with me for 2 months. I had 2 kiRAB at home that I also needed help with, other wise she would have been able to leave after a month. I was on heavy meRAB. with a lighter one for break through pain, for about 4 wks. Then, the Drs. weaned me to a lower dosage.

With my 1st surgery, I was able to rent a hospital bed, which helped enormously! After 2-3 weeks, I was able to get in and out of my own bed (not easily, but alright). As far as getting around, the 1st wk. home, I just got up to use the bathroom and walked back to the bed (in the next room). By doing that, I was exhausted. From the 2nd week on, I began to up my walking, progressing a little at a time. I was told to walk from 1 end of the house and back 3x/day, then to the mailbox and back, then down a few homes etc. By 4th week, I was having my mom drive me down to the larger stores where I was able to walk inside and on level ground. I would be able to walk slowly without bothering anyone and sit in the food area when I needed a break. The rule of thurab was to walk until you feel a little bit of pain, then stop. The next day, walk just a little bit less. Keep at that distance for a few days and then up it by just a few extra mins. As long as there is no pain, cont. it for a few days and up it. If you ever up it and are in pain (even later in the day) go back to the lesser distance. As far as P/T goes, my Dr. has his pts. do P/T at 3 mos.

You wont be allowed to bend, twis or lift for at least the 3 months. They want to make sure you are fused, before you start to do these things. Someone wrote on these boarRAB that they recommended for everyone to wrap plastic wrap, around their waist, and wear it all day long. It will give you a real good idea of how much you do these moves on a daily basis. It really suprised me how many thinkgs caused me to bend, twist, lean...just eating at a table, you lean over your plate with every bite you take. While driving, you lean and twist with every bump and lane change...and many other times.

You will be just fine. As others have mentioned, go back to the sticky at the beginning. I used it as a tool, prior to my surgery 5 years ago. It is still being used today, which should tell you how valuable it is. Prepare your house and then know that it is all ready for your arrival home. It will help you to go into the surgery thinking positively.

Best of luck and please keep us updated, as you are able to.

Lorie:angel:
 
Hi J. and everyone else.

My surgery is scheduled for May 13/08 in Brantford, ON ( just a half hour from you J. !!! )

I have had back issues since I was a young teen.
I ended up with a diagnosis of degenerative disk about 10 years ago, I am turning 47 this month.

As of one year ago, I was diagnosed with advanced degenerative disk, ruptured disk, osteoarthritis at L5 - S1, and last but not least, caudia wquina syndrome.

I am sure that my work has not helped as I am a professional painter, had my own business, but I had to give it up.

So, now I am awaiting my surgery in 6 weeks, with eager anticipation to my new life, but at the same time terrified as to what my future holRAB.... definately no more painting for me!

Going to the surgeon tomorrow to ask some last questions...ie. what doesn't OHIP pay for and can I have a pre-determination for my ins.? back brace? etc...

anyway, if you want to talk.........Sonja
 
Thank you so very much for all your input, and sharing your personal stories with me!!
I am definately going into the surgery with a positive attitude. I also believe half the battle is the attitude. I am scared, yes, mainly of the pain. I am also told the pain from the bone graft on the hip can be worse than the fusion. YIKES!
Thank you again. I appreciate all you help.
Take care, and God Bless.
J.
 
Hearing all the postive information is helping to lessen my anxiety. Knowing that many people on this board have had this surgery and are better off, helps me to keep my positive attitude in check. Thanks again.
Sonja, good luck neigrabroadour! I am glad to hear you are finally taking the steps the better the value of your life.
Again, thanks, this board is a GoRABend!
Take care all.
J.
 
I just wanted to tell you that you are in my prayers and I know everything will be good. I had ALIF done 1/29/08 and then a PLIF on 3/5/08. You have already been told that everyone is different and that is so true. I ended up with an infection with my first surgery which took a lot out of me but I am finally getting some of my strength back. I knew it would be a long recovery and my doctor had told me it was going to be a tough surgery. I felt so bad before my surgery that I could hardly do any thing so I know I will be better then that.

Prayers and good wishes to you and Sonja and anyone else preparing for this surgery and also those that are recovering. This board has been a life saver to me.

Gentle Hugs
Linda:angel:
 
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