[Spinal Fusion / Lumbar] 1 Year Post ADR L4/5 - Activ L

[dalhousie]

Went to see my specialist the other week for my 1 year post op review & he was pleased with how I was doing. It was the first time post op I managed to make the 2 hour round trip driving there so that gave me a boost.

I came off Lyrica in January & take 20mg Amitriptyline at night with 1 dose of Co-codamol. I still have some spinal nerve pain in the day but it's manageable without the Lyrica (it's bothering quite a bit today though)! I was determined to try & cut down on my meds due to my increased appetite/weight gain.

I go to the gym 3 times a week & so far can do 30 mins on the cross trainer etc & am walking about 3 miles on the days in between. I had this strained muscle problem through DIY pilates at home post op but that improves slowly all the time. I now go to a pilates class once a week & do some at home most nights (fatigue permitting).

On my lateral x-ray the top part of the ADR was overhanging the bottom - I asked my specialist if it was the backward movement of the ADR from the rotation centre & he said it was & that it was due to the fact that my spine was hypermobile & also the position the radiographer had put me in on my side.

I'm hoping when I reach the 18 month mark I'll be more or less back to a normal activity level. It was similar to that with my 1st op. At the moment I still have short rest periods in the day but more so in the evening. I'm pretty confident I'll make a good recovery in the end but my experience of spinal ops is that things settle down slowly.

[lois]

Hi

It sounds like you have made a good recovery so far...just wanted to wish you all the best xxx

[Justin]

Ruth,

Congrats on being 1 year post-op! It sounds like you are doing all the "right" things for the best recovery possible.

[dalhousie]

Ruth,

Congrats on being 1 year post-op! It sounds like you are doing all the "right" things for the best recovery possible.

Thanks Justin. Hope you're doing OK & coping with your studying workload & all the sitting involved. I'm aiming to go back to university in September & hope my nerve pain will have improved further as it's aggravated by sitting & especially driving but bothers me more late afternoon/evening.

[dalhousie]

Hi

It sounds like you have made a good recovery so far...just wanted to wish you all the best xxx

Hi Lois,

I saw you joined the UK site recently which I also log on to. I'm from the UK just north of Preston & had my ADR done under your surgeon at Warrington so if you want to ask anything feel free. I had mine done at Spire so there may be slight differences. I think at Warrington General post op they start you off on a walking frame & then crutches whereas they don't at Spire. I hope you do well.

Ruth x