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11 weeks post TLIF - no PT until week 13 says surgeon

Posted , 5 users are following.

JeremySt
JeremySt

I am 11 weeks post L4/5 TLIF. I had unbearable right calf pains before the op. Post op the calf pains went immediately (bliss!) but still have (post surgery) back pains when I get up from lying down, although I must say that the back pains/discomfort are gradually, but slowly, getting better. The pain is there when, when lying on my back, I slide right to left to get comfortable. All in all the op was successful, did the trick, and I would recommend going through with it. Please let me know if you have any specific questions about my TLIF experience.

I am seeing my surgeon for a second post op appointment at week 13. Until then I'll be wearing a corset (which is fine), but he has forbidden me to have ANY PT (which is surprising). Has anyone else experienced late start of PT? What reason has your surgeon given for not starting PT until after 13+ weeks post TLIF?

I also have a new challenge coming up: I need a left hip replacement surgery which I want to get it over with as soon as possible (5/10 pain down left leg). My question: will I have to complete post TLIF PT sessions before my hip op (which will put back the hip op), or can I have the hip op without going through post TLIF PT? Has anyone had hip op after a TLIF in quick succession, and what was the experience like? Was your hip op done after you had to have post TLIF PT?

Would really appreciate your views.

Thanks, Jeremy

0 likes, 17 replies

17 Replies

  • scott17436
    scott17436 JeremySt

    Posted

    Hi Jeremy, are you in the US or UK? I'm about to go for a double AILF S1-L4. I was hoping to start PT around week 4 the same as I did with my past 2 decompression surgeries.

    My surgeon hasn't mentioned any brace either.

    Mine is being done solely to get my lumbar pain away. My nerves are shot both left and right from previous surgeries.

    Was it a cage/spacer with synthetic bone packed around and 4 screws you had???

    I'm guessing you've been allowed to walk as much as you can?

    Scott

    • JeremySt
      JeremySt scott17436

      Posted

      Hi Scott - I am in the UK.

      I know for certain I had two screws inserted, I don't think I had four, but I may be wrong.

      I had the TLIF L4/5 surgery in January 2016 to get my (quite unbearable) right calf pain away. It was a minimally invasive operatin, it took 4.5 hours, plus one hour in the recovery room. This was a second attempt. After the first one, in August 2015, the disc budged after 3 weeks and the calf pain of equal intensity returned. At that point I decided to bite the bullet and have the TILIF, which so far seems to have mostly worked.

      Although I was advised not to have PT until post op week 14 (I am post op week 11 as I write), nevertheless I was advised to walk, regularly increasing pace and time subject to my body permitting. Whilst my right leg is fine now, but because of my bad left hip, I have quite a bit of discomfort down the left leg. As a result I haven't been able to walk as much as I should have. I am very keen to be pain free on the left leg as well, and, subject to the surgeons agreeing, I would like to have the hip operation asap.

      I am glad I had the TLIF. It served its purpose. I wish you luck with your operation. I am sure it will go well. If I was able to be up and about the day after my TLIF then Anyibe should do well after TLIF or similar!

      Please let me know if you have other questions before your surgery. I look forward to hearing about your good orogress post op. Best, Heremy.

  • PattyLee
    PattyLee JeremySt

    Posted

    Hi Jeremy, I'm in the US and this past Dec. I had an XLIF L2-3,3-4 (eXtreme Lateral Interbody Fusion).  I had to wear a back brace for a few weeks but couldn't start PT for 6 weeks, as per my surgeon, to give the fusion proper time to heal. Mine is an unusal case as 9 months before my fusion I also had a total knee replacement, and I'm still having diffilculties with my leg. Before my knee surgery I thought my back pain was from limping so bad due to knee pain. Turns outs I had the compressed disc which controlled the quad muscles in the knee I was having surgery on.  If we had known this before my knee surgery of course my surgeron would have done the fusion first. My PT was a combination of exercises for my back, which is doing great!,  and my knee which is coming along but slowly. I personally would wait to have the hip done until you've completely recovered from the TLIF, you don't want to cause any undue injury to surgery.

    Best of luck!

    • JeremySt
      JeremySt PattyLee

      Posted

      Hi PattyLee and thank you for your reply. I am sorry your surgeon couldn't identify the compressed nerves first, but glad things seem to be progressing well with you.

      I am in the UK. What you suggest makes perfect sense, although it would mean living with the painful left leg longer than I would like to. I am sure my surgeon's recommendation about the timing of the hip surgery will be along the same lines as yours. I'll keep you posted after I've seen him in April 16.

      Best, Jeremy

    • kathy07828
      kathy07828 JeremySt

      Posted

      Hi Jeremy! I'm in the US and have had 9 back surgeries, ending with a fusion.Too much surgery for me, but I was told that laser surgery didn't leave any scar tissue so I had 8 of them. That info was wrong as I have a bunch of scar tissue from a stupid Dr that kept going in to the L4/5 area to fix it because my disc was worn away. It seems that you're between a rock and a hard place, by I tend to agree with PatttyLe

      e. It is important after surgery to get physical therapy to get everything functioning normally again. There are fibers within your ligaments that are displaced during a surgery, and the therapy helps restore them, similar to brushing hair, or the fibers n a carpet so that it all goes in the same direction again. It seems that this will be difficult for you because of the additional pain it will cause in your hip, making your PT rather limited, but I would also recommend that you do what you are able to restore proper functioning of your back, before you go for the hip replacement. That will require more bed rest, and there's a limited amount of time post sugery to get in your ot before it becomes more difficult to get everything working together again. Good Luck! Let us know how you're doing.

    • JeremySt
      JeremySt kathy07828

      Posted

      Hi Kathy, sorry to hear about your problems in what appears to be a marathon session of surgeries, I hope things settle down soon if they haven't already.

      And thank you for your advice which is along the lines of other advice I have received - both from this forum and friends. The fact that I am in a minority of one in how I quickly I should progress with my hip operation is quite significant! It means my thinking is wrong (that's ok), I will now consider the whole thing long and hard - and keep you posted. Jeremy

  • scott17436
    scott17436 JeremySt

    Posted

    Thanks Jeremy. I'll keep you all posted.

    Unfortunately mines isn't minimal invasive as its in through 5 inch scar on write of my stomach. The abdominal muscle will take a bit of a kicking.

    I hope your hip surgery goes well and you get to be pain free. That would be great for both of us.

    • JeremySt
      JeremySt scott17436

      Posted

      A little different to mine, Scott, but you'll be fine! Chin up, why not have that glass of wine in celebration of a better quality of life to come!
  • ellen82139
    ellen82139 JeremySt

    Posted

    Hi Jeremy,whizz kid at it not, I wrote a long reply and lost it!!!

    i had same op as you 13 days ago L3/4 and spondylolyethesis

    been really chuffed as good so far but think I may have walked little too much this morning(let loose in town alone) left leg aching again so dosed up and resting.

    my physio is at 6 weeks,yours may be longer due to ?your consultant would advise.

    I think you would need to get all strength back post op from your back before your THR,

    you had a corset,our hospital in Taunton used to,but my consultant said no,he was the one along with his registrar who came to my bedside and said right up we get and go for a walk,that evening after surgery.

    Im really lucky to have an amazing spinal consultant,I used to work with him,then changed to medicine,now I've had my contract terminated(they caused the accident)but as I was off so long waiting surgery,the old cow in HR(excuse my language)said out,so that's bye bye to my nursing career,which to me was my vocation,started at 18.

    anyhow sorry won't rabbit on any more,keep in touch.

    • JeremySt
      JeremySt ellen82139

      Posted

      Hat off to you Ellen - 13 days since TLIF and you were out and about in the town! Wow! First time I was out shopping was four weeks after mine, I started driving again on that the same day too.

      Sorry to hear about the less than generous behaviour of the HR person, please don't give up on a most worthwhile profession - or a related one. Surely there must be big demand in the UK for your profession? Good luck with the recovery - but take it easy! Best, Jeremy

    • ellen82139
      ellen82139 JeremySt

      Posted

      Thanks Jeremy for your reply

      yes there is a huge need for trained nurses,but unfortunately,I am not going to be able to continue,which is gutting,my registration has to go as they are now bringing in revalidation,good thing yes,but as I had to leave work in July,I am no way going to be able to do what is required.

      I would like to support people living alone,I can't loose that caring compound,or something related.It may sound odd but I'd actually like to work in a funeral directors,on the receiving the relatives side,I think a lot could be given there.I will take it easy,I've always been so independent,but have to be sensible now.which part of the U.K. Are you living in

      good luck to you too

    • JeremySt
      JeremySt ellen82139

      Posted

      Hi Ellen I am sure you will be able to contribute in a related profession - whether in the NHS or the private sector. Main thing is that not only you want to be involved but you actually enjoy being involved in some capacity. And, with that sort of attitude, I have no doubt you will! Very best if luck. I live in Bucks. Jeremy
    • ellen82139
      ellen82139 JeremySt

      Posted

      Hi jeremy

      time has gone really quick,I'm now 6 weeks post op this Wednesday and see my consultant Thursday,am going to try and drive again this week too.

      off to Cornwall on Sunday,will have to stop and get out as can only sit for 30 minutes,but so looking forward to a few days away.

      how is your

  • ellen82139
    ellen82139 JeremySt

    Posted

    sorry was trying to say how is your hip,when are you due to have surgery.

    kind regards

    ellen😎

    • JeremySt
      JeremySt ellen82139

      Posted

      Hi Ellen, good to hear you have made progress - and off to Cornwall eh! Great, as the weather looks promising in May. Good idea to take a break every 30 minutes and stretch your legs. Please let's hear about tie continued progress and in the meantime have a good break! Me? After one cancellation I am waiting to hear about my surgery date. In the meantime I am strengthening my core and back which I hope will help recovery post hip op. Take care, Jeremy
    • kathy07828
      kathy07828 ellen82139

      Posted

      Hi Ellen! It sounds like your implant is a success. I'm so thrilled for you! How has the post op been going?
    • ellen82139
      ellen82139 kathy07828

      Posted

      Hi kathy thanks for your reply,yes post op has if I dare say it has been fine,I still am very limited with walking,and have had a few episodes of nerve pain in my legs and feet.

      biggest thing and I think my consultant has given me a hypnotherapy whilst under general anaesthetic ha ha,I have gone completely off all alcohol,makes me sound like I was some kind of alcoholic but nothing since night before op. Still taking all the meds as told,drinking mega loads of fluids Ribena,but generally have no appetite,not a problem really as needed to shed a few pounds.

      yes 6 week check Thursday with consultant,then Sunday off for our holiday with our gorgeous sprocket spaniel Sheps,very much looking forward to.

      ive been very lucky as hubbie has been doing virtually everything,well most things.x

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