1. Community
  2. Brain and nerves
  3. Spinal Problems

Recovering from spinal fusion

Posted , 4 users are following.

lupe25858
lupe25858

Six weeks ago Friday I had a spinal fusion on L4,L5, had a cyst removed and spacer with rods and screws put in. After months of pain and sciatic I have finally been able to sleep on a bed, however I still feel the rods and screws and I can't do much except walk. How long do you feel this rods and screws. Anyone with a similar surgery please ! I was a very active person before.

1 like, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • DonnaL
    DonnaL lupe25858

    Posted

    Hi Lupe

    I hope you're doing better. I see your post is two months old. I just found this site and have posted at another discussion that you might find helpful. It is "Post lumbar laminectomy by sandra38042" in Spinal Problems. 

  • louise97075
    louise97075 lupe25858

    Posted

    Hi lupe

    i am nearly three years post op from my l5/s1 fusion and I can feel the screw in my back. I suffer with pain everyday and struggle to sit and lay as I find anything touching the screw is very painful. My consultant told me it is quite common for the screw to be sticking out but I think it's the consultant professional view what they are prepared to do to help you x

    • DonnaL
      DonnaL louise97075

      Posted

      Hi Louise… I'm sorry your pain has been going on for so long. This can't be "normal."  What is a "consultant"? I am in the US. Have you had a recent MRI and standing x-ray?

      3 months ago I had surgery for spondylolisthesis. L4, 5, S1 fused and rods and screws used. L5 had to be moved and the vertebrae realigned. So far, my remaining pain does not come from anything touching the rods or screws. It is still healing muscle, tendons, and nerve pain in my buttocks and hip areas. I am 66 years old.

  • DonnaL
    DonnaL lupe25858

    Posted

    Hi Lupe… I hope you are much better now. I just responded to the Louise's post below, but wanted to tell you that after 10 weeks, the only thing I feel around the posts and that part of my spine is when I feel the area with my hand...that part is flatter than it feels above L4. This is because they had to remove the bony protrusions we feel along our spine to do the surgery. I do not feel the rods and screws. I am a thin woman. I just spoke to my surgeons medical assistant a couple days ago, and she said I am not very far out and so of course will still have the pain I described below. Before my surgery, When I asked my neurosurgeon how long it would be until I felt more of a new normal, he said 6 to 8 months, but that everyone is different.

    I hope you can get

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.