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I am 14 months on from interbody spinal fusion of L4/5 and I can't stand straight. My back locks

Posted , 4 users are following.

joanne69755
joanne69755

sad does anyone get this since op! 

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • tracey07174
    tracey07174 joanne69755

    Posted

    Hi Joanne,

    I am 14 months post op too but i can stand straight but i do get some twinges in that area when i bend and then straighten.  I also have a numb left leg and foot which has been like that since the op and the surgeon says it may never return if it hasnt by 2 years post op.  I am happy that I had it done though, im guessing we are still recovering, it is a very long road.

    Take care

    Tracey

  • jessica_78456
    jessica_78456 joanne69755

    Posted

    Heard this can happen, what after care did u have .
    • tracey07174
      tracey07174 jessica_78456

      Posted

      I didnt really have much aftercare, i started physio after 12 weeks as it hadnt been organised and then it was only doing exercises. Ive seen my surgeon 3 times since my surgery but ive no more appointments.  I was off work for 6 months and so its just been a case of getting on with it and taking care not to do anything silly to upset things.  I hate having a numb leg and foot as it feels so strange to walk but I guess its better than having the leg pain that i used to get.  I hope you will get some improvement and be able to straighten your back properly soon, have you had physio and exercises to help with this.

       

    • jessica_78456
      jessica_78456 tracey07174

      Posted

      I've had lots of none invasive treatment s over a 20 yr period with very little let up. Also had an emergency discectomy decompression in 2013. I will be asking my surgeon to draft up a care plan for after my next op i.e. Physo ect. Hope u get some relief soon . Everyone is different and some take longer to heal than others .

    • scott17436
      scott17436 tracey07174

      Posted

      We could swap places Tracey as what you have I have as well. Had mine ALIF L4-S1 in April 2016. I've had totally numb upper left leg since op and it's only getting worse, now use a crutch. I've just had another op on same levels but through the back this time to put more metal work in due to advanced arthritis. So I've now got 16 screws, 2 cages and 4 rods over L4-S1. That was my fourth op.

      I still get pain from Aprils op, plus I've now got the op I had 3 weeks ago to contend with as well. Strangely my right side feels ok, but left side is still painful, achey and uncomfortable. That's on top of numb left leg.

      What medication are you both still on?? I'm on 60mg slow release Longtec, 100mg Amitriptyline, 150g Diclofenac, 4000mg paracetamol plus Omeprasol to protect my stomach. I've got Oramorph for break through pain if required and diazepam when I need it. Functioning junkie!!! I off work just now but planning my return on 1st week March.

      Jessica, If you feel things aren't right go back and see your Surgeon. I'm lucky that I have a great surgeon. He's performed 3 out of my 4 ops. First name terms!!!

      Good luck to both of you.

    • tracey07174
      tracey07174 scott17436

      Posted

      Hi Scott,

      I had L4-S1 TLIF in December 2015 and hearing other peoples experiences i think im beginning to see that ive been lucky even though i have a numb left leg and foot.  Whether this will always stay this way who knows but i will enjoy the way things are at the moment.  If i have to live with my leg the way it is then i guess i will just have to get used to it although its feels so strange to walk around on a foot that i cannot feel very well.  You sound like you have been through alot having had 4 operations now, i hope i never have to have another one as i found the one i had really hard to deal with.  I only have 6 screws, 2 rods and 2 cages and hope it stays that way but having arthritis like yourself, you never know how the rest of the back is going to hold up.

      I only take ibuprofen and paracetamol if i have any pain as i came off the gapapentin 6 months after surgery as i had to go back to work and i couldnt function at work if i was still on them but they did help at the time.  I am on an antidepressant though as i started suffering from panic attacks and anxiety after my op which is something i had never had before, i had my first panic attack in hospital after my surgery. 

      I hope you keep recovering well after your recent operation and that you will be feeling alot better soon.

      Take care of yourself.

    • jessica_78456
      jessica_78456 scott17436

      Posted

      I have a new neurosurgeon now he's great I also take orimorph and other things .

    • scott17436
      scott17436 tracey07174

      Posted

      As you say, it's frightening what you can get use to and think is normal. Including pain that you think is "ok" but it would actually floor most other people. I'm lucky that most painkillers, even the strong stuff, don't affect me in any way. Well, if you ask my wife she'll say I'm a grumpy git!! 😂😂

      My surgeon hasn't ruled out more surgery down the line. As with you, you never know what the arthritis will do in the coming months or years.

      Good luck to you both, chin up and keep ploughing on, nowt else for it!!

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