Need Help on Back Surgery

[NitroJunky]

6 Week Post Op Update

So its been 6 weeks since I had the MIS TLIF on my L5/S1. I thought I would update everyone and say thanks to all who have commented and posted their stories and feelings about the subject.

The first few days were rough. But I expected that. I took off work the following week and then was back to work the next Monday. I was off the pain meds after about 4 days. Just on Tylenol as needed pretty much now.

Started PT two weeks ago and it was hard for the first couple of days. Really sore the day following for the first few days. Just had my 6 week visit with the Dr. and had x-rays done to confirm no movement of anything. Ok'd the PT to advance and increase as needed.

No pain in my back, butt, hip, leg, calf, thigh. Still have a dull/numb pain in my right foot but the Dr. says that it is part of the nerve healing. I read some where that the nerve heals about 1 cm per day. Not sure how accurate that is but with that it's gonna take a while to heal down to my foot.

I am taking it easy and have pushed off some house projects and other things until I have more weeks of healing under my belt. Looking forward to getting back into the RZR seat this summer and throwing my leg over the seat of a new sled this fall.

I attached a x-ray of my back today.

 

[west dreams]

Glad to hear everything is going well, I hope your recovery continues in the right direction, remember not to rush anything, be patient, and hopefully you will soon forget you had a back problem.

 

[KSH]

For those that had fusion done, did your surgeon give you options other than fusion ?

 

[donbrown]

For those that had fusion done, did your surgeon give you options other than fusion ?

I have a very bad back.

The short answer is surgeons do surgery and that's the end of it.

Chiropractors say to be adjusted forever

Regular doctors want to put you on therapy and drugs.

I do exercise diet and watch out how I work my spine.

Was hurt in an accident in 1986 thought I had broken my ankle, leg was in constant cramps , and couldn't stand up straight etc.

only to find out herniated 4 disc and a crushed vertebrate

No surgery ,,, after asking how will you know what is the "normal position" my vertebrate should be. Dr. Couldn't answer and said "well you'll be numb and the better the success the less numb you'll be" Oh boy !

I stretch , sleep a certain way, take flexeril at night if I have issues.

And have learned the tell tale signs when my back is in a good mood or not.

Epideral's feel good but use the time to do more intense exercise, chiropractic and stretches till I go back to normal. only had a couple over 20 plus years

Lower back pain has no single best solution IMHO.

And many many doctors, therapist and patients has said the same thing ...

take time and work it get the muscles to adjust for the misalignment.

 

[Kangaskhan]

My experience is that I use inversion table for my back pain. I think it is technically appliable in back surgery recovery. I bought an inversion table at crazysales, and used it almost everyday. It did release my back pain, and it reversed the gravity which compressed the spine. Hanging upside down is a good way to stretch your back and strengthen the muscles. Also inner circulation would be improved day by day which could accelebrate the recovery process. So, I'd suggest you give it a try.