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I'm having a 2345S1 fusion. Any suggestions?

Posted , 5 users are following.

wendy86854
wendy86854

L2L3L4L5S1 fusion with screws in hips.

Need tips on how best to manage recovery. I have stairs. When will i be able to sit comfortably?

0 likes, 20 replies

20 Replies

  • scott17436
    scott17436 wendy86854

    Posted

    That's a very big op Wendy. I've had L4/5/S1 done 4.5 months ago and still in daily pain. Sitting is still uncomfortable as is standing too long. Everyone is different though.

    Are they going in via your stomach or back??

    • wendy86854
      wendy86854 scott17436

      Posted

      I don't know yet. Will find out on Wednesday. The thing is if i don't have the surgery what will the long term option be? I have scoliosis. What was your reason for having the surgery. I'm terrified!

    • julia15874
      julia15874 scott17436

      Posted

      I'm five years on, you have to be patient, do exercise with your Phisio exercises , walk as much as u can, it's a hard process 4 months on your still in the early stages, I was s year before I felt myself again and I only had S5, L1, please give your body time, it's a major operation!! Jxx

    • wendy86854
      wendy86854 julia15874

      Posted

      Thanks Julia. I will try not to expect too much too soon. Do you still have pain?

    • julia15874
      julia15874 wendy86854

      Posted

      Hi Wendy, I'm really good, I still have stiffness, the winter is hardest for me my rods and screws obviously conduct the cold, then I get sore, but I hardly ever take pills any more, only if I do too much I can pay for it then as generally I feel fine,bwhich you forget to be careful when u feel so good, so you push yourself, I did half a marathon this year,felt great afterwards, and only needed a bit of a pain killer but you would anyway after a half marathon, It just takes time I'm five years on, I would say 18 months you start to feel great as you can do mostly everything by then, and afterwards gets better every day, all the best don't be scared love xx

  • bob95017
    bob95017 wendy86854

    Posted

    If you have Scoliosis then you must be getting rods, which fuse the whole area together, not the same as individual fusion at 5 different levels. Recovery time depends on the individual, age, health, damage, type of surgery, etc.. You have to tough it out, will be facing my own soon. 
  • julia15874
    julia15874 wendy86854

    Posted

    I only had surgery on L1 S5 and I walked a flight of stairs comfortably after two days after my operation, my daughter in law had a friend who had far more done after Ayer a curvature of her spine, she's great now too, all I can say is do everything they ask you to do in Phisio and don't rush your recovery, baby steps and patience and I'm sure you will make a fantastic recovery, all my best and good luck xx

  • julia15874
    julia15874 wendy86854

    Posted

    Wendy your operation is far more complex than what I had but I know someone who had multiple fusions done and she's great now, I'll try and find out as much info for you as I can, you need a lot of support its a really scary time for you, one fusion. Was for me, I'll ask and get back, she was a dancer and she danced afterwar wards and she has sclerosis too, xx

    • wendy86854
      wendy86854 julia15874

      Posted

      Thanks Julia! I'm trying to get as much info as i can before the op so my expectations are realistic.

  • mike28838
    mike28838 wendy86854

    Posted

    I had back surgury in april, i to have stairs, my wife and sister brought a bed down from out spare room and set up shop for me in the dinning room. it was 2 weeks before i was able to go upstairs. the best part of being stuck down stairs was the sponge bath from a hot nurse. lol good luck, but here it is september and im still in so much pain i wanna wash my mouth out with a revolver.
    • wendy86854
      wendy86854 mike28838

      Posted

      Oh no Mike. That sounds awful. Did you go to rehab after the surgery?
    • mike28838
      mike28838 wendy86854

      Posted

      No, Rehab is your worse enemy for atleast a few months after your OP  your having a big one. just tru to walk as much as u can have someone help u shower for a while and have someone hold your legs and work them out. just dont try to pick up anything more the 5 pounds. i feel for ya girl.
    • wendy86854
      wendy86854 mike28838

      Posted

      Thanks Mike. I'm really dreading it but the alternative is a guarantee of pain. I'm hoping after surgery that it eventually goes away? I appreciate your tips.

  • mike28838
    mike28838 wendy86854

    Posted

    invest in a wheel chair. that was my best decision.
    • wendy86854
      wendy86854 mike28838

      Posted

      Thanks Mike. Did you have L5S1 fused as well? I ask because wasn't sitting a problem?

    • mike28838
      mike28838 wendy86854

      Posted

      it wasnt a fusion, they removed 65% of 3 of my herniated disk and shaved some bone away from the nerves coming out of those areas. but like i said i am still in paun. im having a 2nd opion done now to see what else we can do. i am hurting more now then i was before the OP. i hate to tell u all the bad stuff but i wanna make sure u know after surgury your gonna wish a train hit you once all the nerve blocks they inject in you wear off. whatever u do make sure u have someone strong enough to help u sit and stand. get a walker and a wheelchair. your gonna need it.. the hospital will order you a walker. and do NOT get in a car for a while. if u feel u need to go to the hospital cause of the pain call a ambulance.
    • mike28838
      mike28838 wendy86854

      Posted

      yes l5 s1 and sitting is the worst thing i can do and standing. its painful
    • julia15874
      julia15874 mike28838

      Posted

      Oh dear Mike sound as though you should of had the fusion like myself, I'm so much better after my operation, however I understand that it's complex is back surgery and mine was a great success. Good luck everyone, give yourself time to heal, walk a lot, no twisting or bending and definely no lifting! X

    • scott17436
      scott17436 julia15874

      Posted

      I'm going back to being very very good. Being a bit lax in not bending and not lifting and it's not doing me any favours. Time to be good to myself again.

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