[Spinal Fusion / Lumbar] 7 weeks post op for L4/5 fusion - first set of xrays

[Pbchoclovr]

It's now 7 weeks post op and I "ran" off today to get my first set of xrays. They gave me a copy to take with me, even though the reports and films will be electronically sent to my surgeon. Ofcourse, I did all of this in the middle of another doctor appointment where the doctor was running horribly late. I was really curious to see what all the surgeon had done. I had not two... but four screws and two rods... He had told me he'd put two screws in. So maybe one is a set of two. I really can't tell if anything is happening in the space. I'll have to wait until Monday when I meet with my surgeon to discuss the return to work status.

[Justin]

It's now 7 weeks post op and I "ran" off today to get my first set of xrays. They gave me a copy to take with me, even though the reports and films will be electronically sent to my surgeon. Ofcourse, I did all of this in the middle of another doctor appointment where the doctor was running horribly late. I was really curious to see what all the surgeon had done. I had not two... but four screws and two rods... He had told me he'd put two screws in. So maybe one is a set of two. I really can't tell if anything is happening in the space. I'll have to wait until Monday when I meet with my surgeon to discuss the return to work status.

Please keep us posted on what your surgeon has to say. Hang in there!

[Pbchoclovr]

No appointment with surgeon today. I got a call early this morning from his office letting me know he had an emergency surgery to perform and my appointment has now been moved to next Monday. On the one had I get an extra week of summer vacation.On the other, I woke up Saturday with a pain in my right hip that is making it difficult/painful to walk. I was hoping to discuss this new pain with him today. I'm hoping it's from doing too much last week, but resting all day Saturday didn't do much for relieving it and the meds aren't touching it. Any non-med suggestions for relieving it while I wait for my appointment???

[Cindylou]

Well, darn, sorry you have to wait for another week now for your appointment with your surgeon. These emergencies do happen though, and we need an extra dose of patience to get through the delays. I don't have any answers about your new hip pain, but I will offer that many parts of our body experience some new and different pain/sensations during the healing phase and it can be quite concerning. The hips, in particular, get a lot of mention from folks having just gone through surgery and usually it turns out to be nothing serious, but adaptation issues and muscle and ligament issues. A new way of carrying yourself, if you will, that could very likely be tweaking something that hasn't been used or tweaked in such a way, for a very long time, pre-surgery. Try and hang in there for another week and distract yourself as much as possible. It could just help. Cindylou

[Pbchoclovr]

Hello ! I finally was able to make it to the follow up appointment with my surgeon after being rescheduled last week. He felt that everything was looking good. The screws are all still in the space he placed them. He looked at my CT scan from the day of surgery and compared them with the xrays from a week ago. Nothing's moved. He felt it was time for me to start being a little more active... so... PT here I come. That means the BLT is mostly over. I am still restricted from lifting heavy weights. He's released me to return to work next week and has put me on half days for at least 2 weeks. I asked him if it was just too much could we extend the half days, if necessary. The answer was yes! I have the best surgeon!! Next visit 4 months from now.
One more week of vacation for me!!

[ajj1001]

that's good news, guess you have got quick growing bone if 'blt' restrictions are being lifted!

[Pbchoclovr]

When we looked at my films, I asked my doctor if things were growing. He said we wouldn't be to see anything for about a year. He was more concerned about how well the screws were holding. He felt confident that things were progressing at a good pace. The screws looked tight and hadn't moved. He said at this point, I was wasn't going to break my back if it got jarred too much. I was told I still couldn't lift heavy objects. I knew that was a given, though. Even still, I still can't bend or twist without pain so I'm not planning on stopping that rule. It causes increased pain to do so. I'm all about avoiding the pain as much as possible! I do know that the physical therapist is going to make things hurt!!! Not looking forward to that!

I also forgot to mention that the doctor mentioned that the "spacer" he used in the surgery to replace the disc has a growth factor in it to speed the fusion. I don't know what brand the screws were, but he mentioned they were a new kind of screw for fusions. To me they looked like screws I find in my "tool" drawer.

[Justin]

Congratulations on your progress! It sounds like you are doing really well. Remember to listen to your body and if something seems too difficult to do, it probably is. You only recover once from surgery, so make sure to give yourself the best possible chance at a full recovery.

Keep us posted on your progress.

When we looked at my films, I asked my doctor if things were growing. He said we wouldn't be to see anything for about a year. He was more concerned about how well the screws were holding. He felt confident that things were progressing at a good pace. The screws looked tight and hadn't moved. He said at this point, I was wasn't going to break my back if it got jarred too much. I was told I still couldn't lift heavy objects. I knew that was a given, though. Even still, I still can't bend or twist without pain so I'm not planning on stopping that rule. It causes increased pain to do so. I'm all about avoiding the pain as much as possible! I do know that the physical therapist is going to make things hurt!!! Not looking forward to that!

I also forgot to mention that the doctor mentioned that the "spacer" he used in the surgery to replace the disc has a growth factor in it to speed the fusion. I don't know what brand the screws were, but he mentioned they were a new kind of screw for fusions. To me they looked like screws I find in my "tool" drawer.

[Pbchoclovr]

Thanks, Justin! I'm planning on taking it slow. That's why I insisted on the half days in returning to work, with the option of extending them if needed. I had tested the waters week before last with some short outings and by the weekend I had increased my pain levels significantly. I wanted the slower return to work so that I could slowly get used to the increased pain and be able to go home and rest for the afternoon, since my job as a middle school counselor can be pretty fast paced, especially since it's the beginning of the school year. I do appreciate the encouragement from everyone here on the site!

I'm headed tomorrow morning to follow up with my pain management doctor, since my surgeon will only refill his med. I have to go to the PM doc to get her meds refilled. I just wish I could just get it all consolidated with one doctor. I do understand why, but it's such a hassle. This past year I feel like I spend more time at the doctor's office than I do at just about any other place. Right now the meds are a critical part of returning to work! My goal, though, is to be off them by Christmas, God willing! I'm currently on Lyrica, tramadol, and oxycodone. I am wondering what the time frame for others was in getting off or reducing their meds post surgery.

[Pbchoclovr]

It's now officially 9 weeks post surgery - Met with my pain management specialist yesterday. Their concern was what I wanted from them now that I'd had surgery. They seemed pleased with the work my surgeon had done, especially with the scars on my back. They commented on how nice they looked. I guess it helps that I was glued together, as opposed to stapled or stitched up. The great news is that they told me I didn't have to run back and forth between my surgeon and their office to get my various pain meds filled. They were willing to take on the task of keeping me in meds as long as I need them. Of course, all this was with the stipulation that I only get my meds from them. That wasn't a problem! I was so happy! I hate running to all these doctor offices, when one can do the job! Plus, I don't see the surgeon for 4 more months, now. I really do prefer one doctor handling all of this so that no mistakes are made with prescribing things that might interact in the wrong way. Now to get ready for the hurricane coming....after the earthquake earlier this week! It's a good thing my house stood even with the shaking like a bowl of jello. I was laying on the bed on the phone and I couldn't get off the bed no matter how hard I tried. It's not easy getting up even when there's no shaking! I may get a few more days off before I have to return to work!