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Multi level laminectomy with fusion & instrumentation ..getting cabin fever

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Wendy0987
Wendy0987

i am 63 and had a multi level laminectomy with fusion and instrumentation.. I am 6 weeks post op.. Just need to hear that feeling so stiff and achey is normal..will I ever feel good. 

 

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • mrcia78574
    mrcia78574 Wendy0987

    Posted

    Hi Wendy,

    Sorry for your operation and its after-effects.  Did you have rehab after your operation?  Did you have outpatient rehab at your home?  Are you exercising?  Talk to your doctor but I believe in time you will feel better--you gotta move to keep those muscles relaxed.  I am 78, had a fusion with rods and screws last year and the rehab was very helpful but I must say there were many days I didn't want to go.....now the screws are coming loose and I am to have another operation in a few weeks to try to fix the problems of recurring pain.  Hang in there and take it one day at a time....

    Marcie

    • Enna1
      Enna1 mrcia78574

      Posted

      Wendy, are you in the States.  I haven't heard or rehab in the English NHS!!!!   I wish I could have had fusion with rods and screws but it seems that I can't have it through the Spanish system unless I pay privately 20,000euros. but they tell me now that as I have had two failed ops that another op would be dangerous with scar tissue.  he has left the door open for me to go back but I too am 72 but I am really good at yoga, I some of it before I leap out of bed (lol) or else I couldn't get out of bed.... 

      This Mrcia is one of the problems with rods and screws (did they do a cage as well?).  There always seems to be something going wrong with a fusion but I had decompression (where they shave bits of bone spurs away from the main bone - these bone spurs touch the nerve which in turn usually touch the sciatic nerve.  I bet at some time or other you have fallen, had an accident or something like that.  and thats when bone spurs grow.

      I hope that you health improves with the new operation and would be grateful myself to hear how you are getting on - where you live and what the name of your surgeon is.  I am not sure whether I will get any better living in Spain and not sure whether I would living in the UK either.  I have had over 10 years and the pain just gets worse.

       

  • scott17436
    scott17436 Wendy0987

    Posted

    You will. I'm younger than you and have had, 3.5 weeks ago, a double level ALIF with instrumentation.

    I'm up and walking about. I'm not sitting, pretty much at all- unless unavoidable, just lying and standing.

    I'm guessing yours was in through the back? I've had two in through the back and I decribe it as having a 'brick' in your back feeling!

    I was in through the front this time so my wound is vertical down from just left of my belly button.

    Your back will get less stiff. Try and walk as much as possible, don't sit too long, don't bend or twist or lift. Do your Physio exercises and take it easy. Your backs been through a lot. Give it time to heal.

    • Enna1
      Enna1 scott17436

      Posted

      Scott what does ALIF mean????

      I had spinal decompression over 6 years ago and still not good despite the fact that I had a reasonably good surgeon. However, I have an issue with the op but this doesn't affect my reply to you.  Do you ever fancy going to yoga.   Yoga exercises are almost the same as the NHS give you, but if you can find a class its easier because you get to know people.... I love yoga and unfortunately our village in spain does it but the girls that go are all very young and I am very old lol  However, I bet I can do stretching exercises which are better than they can do, its practice practice practice.  I agree, don't sit AT THE COMPUTER I know its tempting and a tablet is a good idea so long as you have good wifi which we don't have.

    • scott17436
      scott17436 Enna1

      Posted

      Anterior Interbody Lumbar Fusion. It's in through a opening in your stomach rather than through the back (Posterior). I already had 2 surgeries through my back which I've got nerve damage from so he wouldn't go in from the back again. Anterior is a better approach when two or more levels are being fused. I had two so gives him easy access to front of the spine. Tends to lead to better healing of the spine. I drove today for the first time in 5 weeks. Still not ready for anything longer than 5 mins to the shop and back.

      I will try yoga this time. I'm pretty flexible having spent a fair part of my younger years playing volleyball.

      We had to cancel our usual trip to San Juan De Les Terreros. Couldn't sit for that length of time. Grrrrr

  • susan72937
    susan72937 Wendy0987

    Posted

    Hi Wendy,

    Sorry you're not feeling well. I had a similar operation 11 months ago. It takes time but you'll feel better gradually as time goes on. I'm 72 and had a ILIF which is minimally invasive surgery but still takes a toll on the body. I walk everyday, use a pool for gentle water aerobics, which helps a lot. Just walking back and forth in the pool is really helpful. Again, it does get better. Time is your best friend.

    Susan

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