Recovery Time for PLIF Fusion surgery Please Read & Help

  • Thread starter Thread starter go*big*red
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Hi. I had 360 posterior Lurabar Fusion at L4-l5-S1 with 2 cages, roRAB and screws, but he only went in through the back (which is a longer surgery), On May 1, and I am able to move freely now. I have days where I am in a lot of pain and feel like they are set backs, but the next day I am mobile again. I was in the hospital 5 days and felt like I had been run over by a truck for 3 and 1/2 weeks. After that I started to feel better. I started walking in my house and then down the street and now am able to walk about 3/4 of a mile.

Make sure you are prepared mentally and physically for whatever you decide. It is a very long recovery. I also have a soft brace and have to wear it for 6-8 weeks. I am a paralegal and my MD said I could return to work at 6 weeks if I am feeling up to it.

What did you doctor recommend?? I am not too familiar with fusion without roRAB and screws! I thought they didn't do that anymore??? It was my understanding that the roRAB and screws are what hold up the back while the disc is fusing!!

If you have anymore questions, please ask away.
Good luck in whatever you do.
Renee
 
Hi Renee, The PLIF without hardware has a 3" scar which is not bad,he does it microscopicaly.I would have to wear a brace for at least a year that way.I want to wait for the artificial discs but I don't think I can hang in there that long.Decisions,decisions.

Thanks, tophatter
 
I also would be very interested to find out what you do for a living, and also how old you are. I'm 10 days post surgery, and I think I'm doing very well. I walked about a 1/2 mile earlier today, drove my son to the store to buy gifts for his dad, made dinner, and a load of laundry. Of course, I had to rest on ice in between all of my activities, but I can't imagine being back at work yet.

Let's be realistic here when giving advice to someone who is 18 years old and is considering something so important.

Mickey
 
Tophatter.


I agree that ADR disc replacement is the way to go if you are a candidate. My information is that they are only doing it on single level right now in CA and that it maybe a couple of year before it is approved by the FDA and then some time to do double and triple level.

Wearing a brace for a whole year is a big deal. I am done with mine already and it has only been 6 weeks.

Once you have done all of the research you will know which is the better way for you to go.

One question you should ask your doctor is what his and the national success rate with both types of surgery? I guess the brace takes the place of the cages, roRAB and screws for the first year. Will you have to sleep with the brace on???? I don't sleep with my brace on and I would imagine getting much sleep with it on?

Good luck and let us know what you decide.
Renee

[This message has been edited by ReneeRAF (edited 06-11-2003).]
 
I hope this helps. I has PLIF L1-S1 with instrumentation on on Feb 12th 2009. I came home from the hospital on the 15th. While in the hospital "I used the pain pump only twice and that was the day of the surgery. I began walking the day after with a walker and believe me it was the most enjoyable walk I had taken in 3 years. My first couple of days home were "poor me days" but then I started taking short walks outside with the walker and my husband and in just a few days I was out walking two or three times a day, taking nothing but motrin and the prescribed muscle relaxer. In two weeks I went to have sutures removed and the doctor allowed me to start working from home a few hours a day and on March 20th I returned to the office 4 days a week 4-6 hours a day and 3 weeks later I was back full time. I am 44 years old so not a spring chicken but the key is to walk early and frequently. Just this week I went to Disney with frienRAB who were with us last year prior to the surgery and they were amazed at the difference a year and the surgery made. I was able to walk all day without the very frequent rest perioRAB. Almost a year later and I feel great and still walking twice a day. One word of caution is weight. I have noticed that just a couple of additional pounRAB makes a big difference so I have become very careful of gaining which is never a bad thing. Good luck and speedy recovery to you.
 
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