Post op Fusion L 5 and S1, and dynamic stabilization L 4 and 5

  • Thread starter Thread starter queenie5
  • Start date Start date
Q

queenie5

Guest
Zinnas,
What happened to your back that you had to have this done? I had a previous laminectomy at 19, which is pretty unheard of now. What my doc did was fused 5 and S1, and he said to maintain some mobility, that he would do the dynamic stabilization on L4 and L5 rather than fuse to make it solid. So there is titanium there, rather than the cage with the BMP. They didn't take my own bone. He did tell me , as I mentioned before, that people that have the dynamic stabilization will have more pain post op. I'm going to my daughters now to walk (very slowly on her treadmill) I know I'm supposed to walk everyday, and I dread it, because I know the pain will be bad the rest of the day! I think as someone said earlier, that it takes a long time. I too, don't have little kiRAB around . I understand completely because constant pain wears on you and it gets very depressing. I'm just hoping to get some improvement. He never promised a complete fix.
 
Hello! The same -- getting, though, a little better --- a little towarRAB where I was when I had the operation. I have a million long-term goals. My ONE short-term goal is to get back to the level of pain I had when I walked in the hospital. My pain's not going down, but my movement's getting a little better -- I'm doing PT, and the Water Therapy helps, too. It's going to be springy weather here soon, and I will be GRUMPY when I can't go out walking. Walking still makes it much worse!!!! I am still taking 4-5 oxycodones a day. I see the md next week --- I'm wondering if he'll say I HAVE to work. My God, I can't imagine! I am sick of the pain. I'm hoping you have turned a corner --- are you better? Hope so! Good luck! Did you do the COBRA? I remeraber that was soooo expensive. Let us know how well you're doing! (I am 3.5 months post-op now)
 
Zinnias,
It sounRAB like we had the exact same procedure. I didn't drive until about 6 weeks. I'm supposed to start PT after the next visit which is Jan 15. At my 3 week post op visit he said. "You may not even need it" I think hes wrong. Are you still taking your pain meRAB? I am, and i guess i feel at 12 weeks I shouldn't be needing them, but I do.... or I can't function. I sympathize with you, because preop, I thought I'd be good to go at 7 weeks or so. I'm pretty active, but I'm not capable of doing much at this point. I had figured to go back to work next week (originally). But theres no way. I'm a nurse, and i do alot of bending , helping patients up , etc. so I won't be doing that yet! Keep us posted on how you're doing. It helps (for me anyway) to hear how someone else is , or what they're doing , especially when they've had the same procedure. My NP at the Dr. office, said , "Don't compare to other people" I guess she hasn't had it done!
 
Hi Pam, I am in my 11th week post op, fusion l5-s1. I have a lot of pain and I do sometimes think that I am one of the bad statistics too. Sometimes I think I picked the wrong doctor, who knows. I'm very limited with my movements, I have a lot of pain mostly in the center and right side of my back. Also my right leg from the knee down hurts a lot more still then it was before the surgery. I take Lyrica twice a day and vicoden 2-4 times a day. I would like to hear from people that went thru this and actually feel good eventally. So this way we know there is hope. I can't wait to feel better.
 
Hi, Pamela & Zinnias

I'm curious as to EXACTLY what both of you had done. For instance, in MY case, I had a PLIF at L5/S1 using a cage and roRAB a few years back. That hardware is now gone and a very stable fusion had taken place within the year.

A year ago this last October I had the dynesis "hardware" placed at L4/5 & L3/4. At 4/5 he placed a cage in place of the disc and some bone from my lamen in hopes of a solid fusion. At L3/4 he left the disc in so THAT would be the true dynesis procedure at that level as the main goal is to still have movement at that level to off-load the disc above (or below in some cases).

Just this past month or so am I feeling that perhaps the surgery was a success. That's 15 months post op. I had a few "ponderings" of my own that I did pose to him pre-op. For instance, if it's not solid metal roRAB holding the vertebre in place at L4/5, what's going to cause that to actually fuse and what if it doesn't. His reply was that if it didn't the movement would be so small that it wouldn't make any difference anyway.

On an actual dynesis procedure for a herniated disc - what stops the disc from continuing to encroach on nerves if it did pre-op if they leave it in there? Is it supposed to "suck" back into it's space given the room? See, that's the other thing. The info that I read about the proceedure was that it was for spondy I think and not an actual herniation. So, is it contra-indicated in my case? (and maybe both of yours?)

So, you probably ask why, with these questions really not answered to my satisfaction, did I go ahead and have the surgery. Because there really was no other option open to me except a hard fusion. I trust my surgeon - we've been together for about 10 years now and he's incredibly gifted. The hard fusion would have ruined what's left of the discs above in short order and then he'd have to fuse again, and again. Neither of us were ready for that!

All that said, after 15 months or so of some relief (ESI and nerve root blocks) I'm doing pretty good. I do get a sciatic nerve block about every 3 -4 months because I've gotten heavy and the fat in my butt has messed with my sciatic nerve at the pyriformis notch. I'm now working on that, though, with me feeling better. I've lost 11 pounRAB so far and I am going on long, aerobic walks instead of just short therapeutic walks. Getting active helps get the endorphines going again.

So, be encouraged that there is light and it may take some time. Sorry for the lengthy post, but gosh, it seems so gloomy at times! Oh, you both did bone tests, right? Because where they put the screws for the tubes takes a huge hit.
 
6 mo. visit.. He said the CT looked okay. He said the central part is not fused. He told me to add another anti inflammatory, and to stay on the vicoden. He said follow up in 3 months. Nothing else has changed much in the last 4 weeks. I'm okay around the house, but if I try to go shopping or do anything that involves much walking or standing, I'm pretty much done for the day. I guess I'll just have to wait and see what he says in May. I'm not too happy about this, but theres not much I can do at this point.
 
First time to this board. I am 55 years old. I had a previous laminectomy when I was only 19. I had my fusion done Sept 24th. So, I'm about 91/2 weeks out. I'm surprised at the amount of pain I'm still having. Around the house, I'm doing fairly well. We usually walk in the evening. After walking the pain is much worse, and then I'm usually miserable the next day. Previous to surgery, other than the 14 months of pain..... I was in pretty good shape. I work, I'm pretty thin. I'm a nurse, and I also do photography. Anyway.........is this unusual. I doctored at Rush in Chicago. He saw me 3 weeks post op, and doesn't want to see me again until Jan. 14th. I had in home PT the first 2 weeks and he doesn't start rehab until 12 weeks or so. Anyway, is the pain thing this long lasting. I thought I had a fairly good pain tolerance, but I'm fairly miserable!
 
I called the Dr. yesterday. I'm actually 14 weeks out. They said my pain should not be this bad and are seeing me on Tuesday. They put me on a Medrol Dose Pak, and told me to get out of the corset. She wondered why I wasn't in Therapy.........(Maybe because they told me not to do anything until they saw me on Jan 15th. She acted like it was very unusual to have more pain than I had preoperatively. So that was discouraging to me. But I will go in with a positive attitude on Tuesday, and just ask whats next? Maybe I'm going to be one of the Failed fusion statistics............ Hope not!
 
Hi ladies,

You really can't compare yourself to others as there is no way to compare your "issues" to another person's, even if you have had the same surgical procedure. You can't judge how much a nerve was compressed prior to the surgery, for example, how hard the surgeon had to tug on it to free it, etc.

Also, keep in mind that just because someone with an identical sounding surgery is up doing things at 4 weeks, she may live to regret that decision. A friend of mine was doing amazingly well after a L4-L5 fusion -- she owns her own business and felt so well that she went back to the office the following week. It ultimately turned out to be a big mistake, as she was back on the operating table at about 11 weeks.

So please devote all your emotional energy to healing. Do not worry about anyone other than yourself. The important thing is that you recover and heal. Try to maintain a positive attitude. I know it isn't easy, but it really does help your healing. :angel:
 
Well, I'm almost 6 months post op and my pain is not better. I have not gone back to work (nursing in an outpatient oncology office). My pain has seemed to move down lower and in to the right buttock. I had L5, S1 fused and a dynamic stabilization at 4 and 5. I had a CT yesterday. That was the first one since surgery. I see him in Chicago tomorrow. I had to go on Cobra, which I wasn't happy about. Right now I feel Like I'm doomed either way. If the CT isn't good, I hope I'm not looking at more surgery. And if it looks okay............why am I in such pain. Vicoden takes care of it, but I really ration that. Walking, or standing are the worse. My pain is worse than preop. Hopefully some kind of answer tomorrow. I hope I get some kind of answer. I'm not a baby with pain, and I guess I worry so much what they are going to think, or if they believe my pain. I shouldn't, but I do. I'll keep you posted.
 
Now I'm at my 12 week period. This last week has been so discouraging. The pain seems worse. I can't sleep through the night. The pain is my lower central back and throbs into the buttock region and down both thighs. It seems like a different pain now. They told me no antiinflammatories, but it doesnt seem like the vicoden even takes it away completely. I called Chicago this week and they didn't return my call. Now with the Holiday I'm sure theres no getting in touch until next week. I was hoping he would start my PT a little early. I see them January 14th. Maybe I'm just going to be one of the bad statistics................. Very discouraged at this point. Would love to hear from any of you 10 -12 , or 14 week post op people!:confused::(:(
 
Pamela, where you're at is really okay. We all want to be fused quickly, but it can take a full year to get a complete fusion. It's normal to still be very tired at 6 months, for some "small" task to just wipe you out. Keep hanging in there, sweetie! It's a long slow process, but it sounRAB like there's SOME fusing going on in there, right? So it's coming along slowly, but it's coming. Keep being careful, keep resting, keep walking. There's still much hope that you'll get a good solid fusion!

Take care,
Emily :wave:
 
Hi Pamela, and welcome to the board. Sorry you had to find it for this reason, though.

I had a fusion on Septeraber 25, 2006. I hate to say, but you're very normal. This is a huge surgery, and it takes a longer time to heal from than most of us realize going into it. I was still on Percocet at the stage you're at, and I was just starting to be up for any length of time. I was still lying down for much of the day and was up for no more than a couple of hours at a time. I missed church for 9 weeks, and when I went back, I stood at the back for most of the service, as sitting was just too painful. By the time I got home, I was spent and laid down right away. I walked for maybe 30 minutes or so at a time, often less. I, too, had home PT for a couple of visits right after surgery, but that wasn't really for PT. It was more for making sure I could do what I needed to do around the house, could manage the stairs, etc. I didn't start real PT until 5 months post op.

Maybe you can try walking for a shorter time but twice instead of once a day? If you're still miserable the next day, cut it back to once. Don't despair! You're right about where most of us were at 2-3 months. Are you keeping your pain meRAB up, even if you're having a better day? I'm sure you know this, as you're a nurse, but keeping it in your system helps a whole lot, rather than waiting until you hurt.

I hope you feel a little more comfortable. Sometimes it helps simply to know that what you're feeling is normal!

If you have any other questions, we'll do our best to help you. We're not doctors, we've just been there, done that!

Take care,
Emily :wave:
 
Have you had a recent visit with your surgeon? I see mine in 2 weeks. I haven't seen him since 3 weeks post op.
 
I have seen my surgeon 8 weeks after the surgery, had a CT scan and everything looks ok. He said it will take some time for the nerve irritation to heal, and also for fusion to heal. But I know a person that 4 weeks after the surgery was totally fine with the exception of stiffnes in the back and still some numness in the leg, but no pain. My next surgeon appoitment is Jan.22. I hope I'll be able to start some type of PT because my legs and my lower body is getting stiff.
 
I think it's way too early for you to get discouraged. As you are healing right now, lots is going on back there. Your entire spine and your back is readjusting to the new changes and that gets everything back there alittle mad.. that they are having to pull extra duty now.

During this time, things also get real stiff and achey, to include muscle spasms. Are you on any muscle relaxers at all? This along with your pain medication might be that extra boost to help you along and control the pain. Are you taking any nerve medication has anyone suggested trying you on a medrol pack to see if inflammation is a factor.

Hopefully with some new meRAB, PT and some more time, will change things in a positive way for you.

Hang in there and keep us posted.
 
Hello!

Yes, I will be 8 wks this Friday. Everyone said day-to-day would be better, but I'm not even seeing much progress week-to-week. I'm hoping I will be feeling better as it warms up maybe in about 10 wks (south, here!). My daughter's bday is in March, and she's telling everyone I will be better by then.

I think, from when I signed the papers, my formal title was 'Laminectomy & Fusion using Dynamic Fixation & Local Bone.' It was at L4-5,5-S1. Ouch! My husband has no idea what to do - we have 2 small kiRAB, and the nurse had called a couple of days before the operation to say I could handle the 25lb kid (kicking, screaming, and all) at 4wks. So, of course we jumped right in. Of course, that has turned out to be pure insanity! So, w/ your Dynamic Fixation, you got a fusion there, too? I understand how the roRAB and screws are different than others' - they are flexible. I don't understand, though, how my 'work' stays flexible after the bones fuse. The nurse said on the phone yesterday that are bones won't grow over the flexible roRAB? Where, then?? Also, he stated that if this didn't work, down the road, I could replace it w/ ADR. But how, if a fusion is there, I wonder?

I thought I was getting 2 ProDiscs there .WC had in fact approved them, but he at the last minute stated this would be better. SO....I had not researched this at all!

7 wks - I'm still not driving, still in pain pretty comparable to coming home from the hospital. Stiff! He gave me muscle relaxers (3/day!) but those knock me right out. Also, I still take 2 Percocets (10s) every 4 hours.

Oh, this has to stop. This is not a surgery for a mom w/ young kiRAB. I don't know how this happened to me. I was so miserable before the surgery - I kept saying it couldn't get worse. This is worse. It has to get better!!!!! I will see about PT next week.

Did you start your PT up yet? What medications do you have to take? I still have my original pain (worse!) plus surgical pain ---- if my dr says it's just muscles one more time (it's not!!), I will die!

I'll be watching to make sure you're getting better!









[
 
Pam, I agree with Tammy completely. This is major, major surgery and frankly I believe many doctors are not completely honest about the recovery time from this surgery. They are probably scared to death if they tell people the truth they won't go thru with the surgery.

You are going to have pain off an on for the next year. The key is understanding if anything is causing it. For instance, thru documenting my pain my surgeon and I were able to see that my pain was mechanical in nature. It worsened as the day progressed and increased with activity. Once activity decreased my pain would calm down.

Also try to give you doctor concrete descriptions regarding your pain. Let them know if the pain is burning, nurab, shooting, tingling, dull, cramping, aching, buzzing, knot feeling, etc.

Explain to your doctor if a particular activity causes the pain. An example would be: when I brush my teeth my pain increases in my back (cramping, ache) and I can't straighten back up for a few minutes. Another might be, when I empty the dishwasher, I get shooting pains down the leg that according to my family I go white in the face - my daughter had to get me a chair to sit down on because my legs became very weak and could not support my weight.

Explain to your doctor if a particular body position relieves the pain. If I lean forward while sitting, it reduces pressure. If I lean forward on the cart, it takes pressure off of my spine. If I lay in a fetal position, it helps tremendously.

Explain to him your pain scale. On my scale of 1 to 10. A one would be a stubbed toe, a 5 would be slamming my fingers in a car door, a 10 would be giving birth to a baby, having my appendix rupture, first day after spinal surgery, or having the bone shatter in arm when I fell and they needed to add pins to stablize the arm. No 2 people have the same tolerance to pain and categroize pain in the same way.

I hope these tidbits help you and I strongly encourage you to take the time doing this for your doctor = It takes alot of time but it has helped me communicate with my GP concerning my pain levels and he truly sees my pain levels and what I deal with on a daily basis. It has also helped him determine what further testsing or medications are necessary.

Good luck and I pray that you find some comfort soon.
 
Hello! GOOD luck at the doctor's tomorrow. Definitely say how it goes! My nurses act the same way - shocked that I'm not all better by now - but nobody's offered me any explanations or advice, even. Thursday, I'm supposed to start PT. I have called my adjuster and asked for transportation. I tried driving a few miles, and I can't even explain the pain. The thought of taking the interstate (how do I change lanes if I can't twist & look?) is insane. BUT, I want to go so I can talk to this guy and see what he thinks. You're still worse than before surgery, right? Me, too. Much worse. I just want that 'old hell' back. Do NOT call yourself a failed statistic yet! How long had you had this pain? My PA said it can be months & months for someone who had it a while (I was almost 5yrs). Let us know about the visit! Good luck!
 
Hello there! How is everyone?

I am still worse than before surgery. I am still off work.

I have seen a pm guy now, who has put me from 4-5 oxycodones a day (10) to oxycontin - 1 20 every 12 hours. It is NOT working as well, I believe b/c before I was getting the 40-50 throughout the daytime, not the daytime and the nighttime.

We are going to try facet injections, but of course my adjuster went on spring break w/o approving them first. Of course!

I am now about 5 months post-op. My husband is not happy.

For some reason, we can't get spring to come here - I keep waiting for the warmer weather to come, and it's just not coming, and I NEED it!

This is spring break, and my kiRAB are here. It's so hard. Every time I hear screaming or toys spilling, it just makes me cry. I am so helpless!
 
Back
Top