L5 S1 fusion

[Jeaniem130]

It will be 5 weeks tomorrow and I seem to have had a little setback. I was just starting to move around more easily and rarely needed more than half a dose of a muscle relaxer. Two days ago had I stood and walked alot and now have pain again that requires a small amount of my prescription pain med. Is this a normal response? Last week I was having a lot of numbness and leg tingling so the surgeon had me get a CT scan and that checked out okay.

[Nicurro]

Everyone’s body will react differently to fusion surgery, muscles can spasm and cause pain all over the body but again this will be different by each person. I took 10 months to be able to step out of my front door after the L5/S1 fusion so you may be in a good place but recovery takes time.

[Jeaniem130 in reply to Nicurro]

Thank you. I get nervous and fear the worst.

[Lacielou in reply to Jeaniem130]

I had double spinal surgery last April / May I also have trouble with L5/S1 I have times were I feel I am going backwards it’s all part of the recovery.

[Emma2017]

It took me quite a bit longer to walk well and proper. I had a fall afterwards too and had a ct scan and MRI but everything was fine. A fusion is usually quite strong and stronger than you realise, I was fine. I had on and off pain. I had my fusion 2 years ago and can walk a lot further now but still have days where it hurts. I had my 1 year follow up scan and it has fused very well. You just have to remember your back has changed and you will experience periods of pain but for me it was the right decision and you will hopefully find the same. It is still very early days for you.

[Jeaniem130]

Thank you everyone for the responses. The only thing I did different was I spent 2 hours at the park with the grandkids a few days ago. . That night was when I seemed to backslide.Maybe too much standing and walking around? I definitely did not bend or lift the grandkids. My husband and son made sure of that.

[Emma2017 in reply to Jeaniem130]

Standing still for short times or worse longer times does my back in and especially so soon after your surgery. Walking is good but again don’t overdo it so soon after surgery, 2 hours is a long time.

[Jeaniem130]

Thank you Emma!

[Jeaniem130]

Can anyone tell me what kind of things they will have me do at physical therapy, I start next week. Prior to this I had a a few home pt visits which were just moving my feet basically and leg squeezes. I walk about a mile a day most days. If my back is too sore I walk less.