3 weeks post-op L5/S1 fusion

**michele** · 05-28-2010, 04:19 AM

Hi, I am new to this group. Not easy to type lying flat with laptop. From reading your posts, I think I am probably the most fortunate member as I ONLY had a anterior fusion - one level S1 - L5> I am 3 weeks post op, was pain free for about 3 days and then leg pain started again, feels a bit different than before but still there. Doc says might be a bit of post op inflamation due to pulling on the muscles and ligaments during the op. So back on anti-inlamatories. Doc says might be a good idea to go for an epidural. Am a bit down now as the whole purpose of the op was not to have to go through all that again. Is there anyone that experienced the same as me, leg pain after fusion ? Will it be getting better with time and would it just be normal healing process ? Thanks for your input.

**Cindylou** · 05-28-2010, 08:33 AM

Welcome Michele,

Is the pain worse than it was before surgery? Or just different? When I had my L6-S1 fusion (pars defect) 2 years ago this July, the only thing that made it worse was the bone cement leaking out onto my S1 nerve before it hardened. Which meant they had to go back in and chip that hardened cement off my nerve. I doubt that is your problem, although I will say, if your pain is extremely worse than before surgery perhaps you should request an MRI. That said, you are only 3 weeks post op, and if your pain is not worse than before surgery I would give it some time. I know no one ever wants to hear that, because we have been hurrying up and waiting for a long time with bad spines, but giving it time is critical. Hang in there and I wish you only great success with this fusion.

My best,

Cindylou

**scduggan** · 05-28-2010, 09:19 PM

Dear Michelle,
Welcome to SPS. Congratulations on your surgery. I second what Cindylou said about giving it time.....lots of time. I am three months post op and have to keep telling myself that just to keep from freaking out. Three weeks is REALLY early still. Your problems may have been surgically corrected but it takes quite a while for everything to straighten out. I do not have experience with pain down my leg but I do have pretty bad hip pain. This is still going on but I can tell it is getting better. Your progress will come but may be at a snail's pace. Hang in there.
CD

**michele** · 05-29-2010, 04:43 AM

Hi Thanks for your input - I am allowed sitting but not too long for thr time being. Before surgery I had bad shooting pain down my leg (acute) and cramping pain. After the op the pain feels more like constant, from across my buttocks to my knee and then again from the knee to my foot, very enoying. I know I should be more patient but I thought the sciatica would be gone after removing the nerve impingement. Surgeons says I am a bit a guinnie pig I had a spacer (DIAM)inserted posterior S1 L5 about 2 years ago and that did not solve the problem.

So it was decided to do an anterior fusion, I still have the spacer in place. Sometimes I wonder if my leg problem might not be related to a completely different problem ??? Who knows I am not an expert. Maybe I should go for another epidural. I suppose that everybody in this group gets sick of doctors waiting rooms, Xray waiting rooms, different referals and so on !!!

**Gilbert P** · 05-29-2010, 12:37 PM

Hi Michele

to SPS you have been given some great advice, Surgery takes time and patience You are on the other side

Take it slow and easy that is how to win this race.

All The Best

Gil

**KBear** · 05-29-2010, 08:30 PM

Michele,
I never had leg pain prior to surgery, but did after surgery. My legs and hips hurt horrible bad for a few months after surgery, then it eventually went away. This really freaked me out initially as my mind went to the worst case scenario that they had somehow made me worse. The doctors kept telling me it was normal and just distraction pain, there is a lot involved in spine surgery and the body does not like it at all. They were right and it all resolved. Give it time, it will resolve, 3 weeks is still very early out. Oh, and welcome to the forum.
Kathy

**odriscoll** · 01-30-2011, 06:05 PM

Hi Michelle,
I think I know how you feel: I thought after my disc replacement surgery (L5/S1) six weeks ago my leg pain would go away. I still have it, in both legs, different but still there and it keeps me away at night. My right foot is the worst: feels awful sometimes, but its not the pain that disturbs me, its the thought the pain may never go away. This is, of course, irrational. Now is the time to be patient and to trust that things will resolve. Remember: the surgery you had is somewhat of an assault on your spine, and there are some adjustments your body needs to make, and will make, in the next few weeks and months.

Good luck, and keep a good attitude.
Paul