TLIF L5S1 Grade 1 Questions

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doubledownn24

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I'm a 29yr old male with Grade one Spondy. I have alot of the symptoms one would expect, although they are not major in any way. Have known about it since 14 after a football injury(Grade0-1). Went through PT and Orthodics, and never had persistent back pain until 2 years ago.

-Deep soreness / discomfort in the back when waking up in the morning
-QuaRAB feel overly sore sometimes (stairs)
-Hamstrings super tight
-Occasional (once every 3 weeks or so) knifing pain in groin on left side
-Need orthodics cuz rolling of feet
-Will easily throw back-out with heavy exercise
-Feel disproportionately weak in the legs compared to chest / upper body
-Will throw back out from extended perioRAB of walking (while traveling) or heavy lifting, or having someone on my shoulders.
-Discomfort when sitting in the same position for extended perioRAB of time
-Extended running is painful


The MRI shows my S1 is just getting mangled however...

While these aren't the worst of symptoms I have read on here, I am wondering if anyone was / is in the same boat as me and went with the TLIF in this scenario. I am wondering if the recovery time greatly out-weighs my discomforts here.

I want to be able to do heavy lifting (gym, dead-lift / squats which I can do now, but any improper technique puts me on my ass for a week), be more athletic, and be able to have a more active quality of life.

Do you think I will be still restricted in what I can do post-op if I go this route (and therefore should just avoid it) , or does anyone here have any success in being far more physical in their life post TLIF op?

-Eric
 
I can't answer all of your questions, but be awarre that often you have a weight limit put on you after you have had fusion surgery done. My surgeon told me that 35 lbs. was my limit for the rest of my life.. I know that every one is different, but it might be something that you want to check into.
 
That would not be good... I can handle way more than 35lbs in my current state....
 
Eric,

I can relate to your situation in a big way. I have grade 2 spondy @ L5/S1, and I have been dealing with nearly the same pain issues as you. The morning stiffness upon waking up is the worst! It literally takes me 20-30 minutes of diligent stretching, both in and out of bed, before I can comfortably stand up straight. After my stretches, I have to get on my inversion table for about 5 minutes to decompress my spine. Like you, I'm very active. I'm at the gym everyday doing cardio and lifting (used to be able to squat 225lbs at one point..which I'm sure contributed to my current state). I did 2 triathlons in 2008, and continue to be an avid cyclist doing 75-100 mile rides, every weekend during the warmer months. I REFUSE to give in to my spondy. I do NOT want to end up being a couch potato, because of my chronic back pain. I've had 2 MRI's, been to a neurosurgeon and an orthopedic back specialist, and been through physical therapy (which did nothing). I have not tried epidural injections or surgery, and have no desire to. I haven't seen or read enough convincing evidence about the success rate of the surgery (in my case, I would need a fusion and laminectomy) to make me want to take that step. I'm probably being stubborn, but I just can't see myself not being able to exercise for months on end, while recovering. Right now, moving and staying mobile are the only things that relieve some of my pain. If I miss a day, I feel even more stiff and tight.

I wish I had some answers for you, but unfortunately I don't. I just wanted to chime in to let you know that I understand what you're going through. ;)

Linda
 
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