Pain 14 months after successful spinal fusion?

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limbo123

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I had my 2nd spinal fusion (the first was 22 years ago--L5 S1) at L4 L5 last March. I was finally allowed to start physical therapy in Dec. 09 and did that for 2 months. My surgeon said I am pretty much fused now and gave me the green light to start exercising again, so I've been adding things like crunches and weights to the exercise routine I learned in PT.

On Sunday, I started having pain in my hip with a "pulling sensation" to the groin. This is similar to the pain I experienced pre-surgery.

Has anyone had anything similar? Should I be concerned?

Lirabo123
 
I dont know if its worth replying, but I was told after 4 months after fusion on L5/S1 and in a lot of pain that I should NEVER EVER stop and not excercise, because if I did the tendons are likely to shrink and thats when you have major issues.
Like I said this may not be the case, but I was warned 4 months after my op after I started collasping and was afraid to go out, but was told regardless if I go down 100 times to make the effort, just make sure I go were its a soft landing :-0
 
Personally I don't think that crunches are the best thing to be doing after a fusion. That puts a tremendous amount of strain on that area of the back.

I would go back to your therapist and ask about what exercises you could be adding without doing any additional hard to yourself. If you are finished with your therapy...drop back to those execises until the pain subsides and then start adding things slowly. If you are going to a gym where there is a trainer, ask what you can add after having a fusion. Crunches scare me. Also, didn't your doctor give you a weight limit for lifting after your fusion? Most docs do....You need to be careful until you are fully fused-not pretty much fused.

good luck!
 
thank you Ibake&pray, I will ask and as it feels a lot better after I stopped everything, I do think it was the addition of the crunches that set me off.
 
Lirabo,

I FINALLY found someone with a similar problem. I am 9 months post of from a PLIF of L2L3; my second surgery. I am still having pain as well. One of my recurring problems that arose out of my second surgery is a pain that originates in the side of my lower back, goes through my hip and terminates in the left side of the male groin (sorry was trying to put it delicately). Its like being back the fifth grade playground.

All of the researching that I have done points to the Iliopsoras muscle group. I was able to find a good stretch for it on youtube. It involves laying on a table and letting your leg dangle on the affected side while pulling the other to your chest. You will feel it stretch though your hip within a few seconRAB. It has given me a little bit of relief. I have mentioned the problem all though physical therapy and post op visits but it was never mentioned to me. Im gonna bring it up on my next visit. Hope this helps you.
 
I think you're right Joebob--there are a few groups of muscles in that area (I've been researching) and any (or all) could be the culprit responsible. By stopping everything I was doing, I succeeded in stopping the pain and pulling--now I'm going to add things back one at a time and be careful not to add in triggers like crunches.

I hope your stretch is helping you--it's a terrible feeling to have that constant hip pain/muscle pulling sensation.
 
You may also want to check your SI Joint as well. Seems like that can act up at times for some people after spinal fusion. It did for me. Good Luck!!!!....janiee
 
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