8 Weeks Post Plif - Back Pain Question

[Jan P]

I am now 8 weeks post Plif and have been dealing with this daily back pain and wondering if any of you have/had this problem.

Periodically, over the last 8 weeks when I have done somthing stupid, like reach too high, twist, etc. I would get a pain in my back. Afte two or three days of mostly bed rest it would go away. However, lately it's daily and I am being as careful as I can. The pain is along the side where the fusion is and feels like a muscle pull - like someone has socked me in the back. The pain stays at the same level - doesn't start out sharp and then fade. The only thing that seems to help is pain meds.

I had my first appt with the NS at 5 weeks - no x-ray. He wanted me to start weaning off pain meds (Vicodin and Tramadol) as well as Gabapentin. I have gotten down to 600 mg Gab and going back up to 900 to see if leg pain eases. I take anywhere from 1-4 Tram a day and 1/2 to 1 1/2 vicodin for the back pain. With this back pain, Tylenol does not cut it.

I know it hard to tell what this could be, but hope that someone might have some thoughts on it.

Thanks Jan

[Hooch]

Hi, I'm 6 weeks from ALIF.

You're right, there is no real way to tell. It's undoubtedly just part of the recovery, it's normal to still be in pain to some degree, tho not to the point of bedrest.

I'm thinking muscle spasm, espescially since you say it's been kicking in when you reach a little too far or accidently twist. That's what he pain from spasm is like, constant and doesn't fade until the muscle relaxes. Pain killers dont touch it. If you've been going spasm, rest, spasm, rest, you could easily be in one big arse spasm. It'll last until whatevers causing the spasms is rectified, I've had them, it can last for days, it's not like an acute thing.

Have you done any streching? That'll help bring them out of spasm and keep them out. Just make sure you strech without flexing or extending your lumbar spine. If you can get down to the pool and just do some walking in at least chest deep water, this is good to, gets the muscles working without being under load. If you haven't done any of this stuff you'll be bound up in a knot. Then TA and esp multifidus activation will be very important for you as the muscles have been disrupted. My multifidus has taken a bit of work to get going again and I only had a frontal approach, just the change in height messed it up.

Anyway that's my thoughts, I hope that's what it is, it'd be etremely unlikely anythings wrong with the surgical site so I'd try not to worry.

[Jan P]

Hooch,
Thank for your reply and thoughts about my back issues. I wasn't sure what the multifidus was and looked it up. I suppose it is quite possible this is the muscle that is just in spasm mode.

I was not given any go ahead to do anything but walk since I have the TSLO back brace on. So getting into a pool, is not going to work for me, at least for now.

The only stretching I have done, has been most likely the wrong kind, like reaching for something to far above my head, etc. I am sure my muscle are in such bad shape since I was unable to do anything physical for the last 1 1/2 years due to the leg/back pain. The walking that I am able to do now is more than I have done in over a year!

I do have to get in bed and get off my feet several times a day for 30 minutes or so. I haven't spent more than this during the day since my early days home from the hospital. I try to walk around the house, etc and sit very little.

I do have another question that you or any one else might have a thought on. I recently noticed when touching my back (my back incision is about 7 inches long and healing wonderfully) that the area feels warmer to the touch then the rest of my back. Is this normal.

Jan

[Hooch]

I wouldn't have thought so. My incision isn't warmer.

Heat is generated by metabolism.. something is making it warm. May just be a little bit of inflammation or something going on around there, something to do with scarring process, I dunno, don't have the biomed knowledge. At incision, any signs of pain, redness, swelling, off to doctor.