L5-S1 Fusion Surgery

Hey everyone! I would like to share a short story about me and hope I can get some feedback on people that have had a fusion surgery.
I'm 27 years old and on Dec 12, 2013 I had L5-S1 fusion surgery, after two failed Microdiscectomys. The first microdiscetomy was in June 2010 and the second was August 2012. Finally after the fusion I feel like I got my life back! I used to have bad left leg pain, numbness, back pain, depression, you name it!! I used to be Navy and I was medically seperated because of this, so it's been a tough couple of years. Finally after this surgery I can walk 3-4 miles a day, which I think is amazing being 2 and a half months out from surgey!! My leg pain had gone away and numbness. I know my doctor thought I was extremely young to have the surgery but after 9 pain management injections and physical therapy, this was truly my best option. I am so thankful I did because the results are amazing and I'm starting to feel stronger everyday!! I used to be a huge runner all my life, but that got put on hold for the last two years due to so much back problems, but I'm wondering with years and therapy has anyone gone back to running and been ok? Also if you could share month to month timeline of how you felt post op that would be great!!! Thanks everyone and hope to get some feedback!!

hey verob. welcome to the forum. thats great to hear that your doing so well after your fusion. make it
bring you many years of pain-free enjoyment...

I'm another fusion patient and feel like my surgery was a great success and my neurosurgeon deserves a Super Hero Cape!! My case was so complicated, I got shuffled around until a neuro in Boston who specializes in traumatic spine injuries was willing to take my case. (Which, as it turned out, was even more complicated once he got in there).

I am currently14 months out from surgery, and even now, I'm feeling the coolest new sensations and changes for the first time. It's neat. My left leg from the knee down has been paralyzed, more like a flipper on a shin bone, no control, no feeling, and lots of feeling cold even though my pulses were fine.

For me I believe in respecting the hardware and the limitations they impose. Move your body as if the areas above and blow the fusion are already fused. Do NOT try to return to previous activities in the same manner. Your body is permanently altered.

I had L1 through L5 fusions, laminectomies, decompressions.....bone and marrow graft taken from my pelvis at the same time (not cadaver bone).....It was quite easily some of the highest and worst pain I've been in, but I wouldn't change a thing.

This neuro, this surgeon, salvaged my quality of life. As Vickie ever-so-wisely pointed out, (she's good at that, so keep an eye on her!), we have to watch out for damaging our hardware and the increased risk of osteoarthritis. I have oodles of the latter.

Mind you, I've been doing all this healing while having 2 artificial hip joints, too.

You learn to work around things, and yes you can become active again but please, please stay in touch with your neuro about monitoring you.

My personal opinion that may not be shared, but I don't budge: I would completely, utterly, and forever d/c running in any and all forms (unless you're being chased by a land octopus, alien tripod from the ground, or if you stepped on a nest of bees).

I'm a gym rat, and I get it. But it's not worth the potential risk of harming your bone or hardware by running when there are so many other activities you can do.



M.

Hello Verob & welcome back. I am so happy to read that you are doing so well since surgery. It is refreshing to read that someone that has had surgery is doing well.

I was even happier to read that you plan on skipping the running. It is not worth taking the risk when you are doing so well. You have other activities that you can do that you know will not have any negative effects on your surgery. I do hope that you will keep us posted on your progress.

Take care.....

I do hope that you will check in &