[Artificial Disc Replacement / Lumbar] Distraction Pain (Freedom Lumbar Disc placed at L5-S1)

[bbeiss]

Help-Distraction Pain
Hello everyone: I am almost 2 weeks postop Freedom disc placed at L5-S1. My recovery has been going really well with walking 2-3 times daily and taking very little pain medication until about 4 days ago. I woke up with aching hips thinking that I overdid it the day before. I took it easy but the pain/aching continued until it hurt from my hips to my toes. I soon realized this was the distraction pain that I read about but I never realized it was going to be so unbearable. I feel like it is slowing my recovery. I am now taking more pain meds and spending way more time in bed than I would like. Standing is the worst and I can only stand in one place for a minute before I am so uncomfortable I have to sit down. My 2 big questions for all of you is:

1.) How long does this distraction pain usually last?(I need a light at the end of the tunnel)
2.)Is there anything I can do or take to relieve it?

Any input would be appreciated.

Barb
__________________

[Justin]

Hi Barb,

Welcome to the Spine Patient Society!

Congratulations on being on the other side of surgery! Two weeks post-op from artificial disc replacement surgery of the lumbar spine is extremely early post-op. From now until about 12 weeks post-op is a crucial time for healing--the key being "osteointegration," or bone growth / affixation to the freedom disc.

Make sure to listen to your body and take things slow--you only get one chance to heal right!

1.) How long does this distraction pain usually last?(I need a light at the end of the tunnel)
2.)Is there anything I can do or take to relieve it?

1) Distraction pain can last a few weeks to a few months. Most Spine Patients report that they "turn the corner" in regard to distraction pain around the 6 month mark. Nerves hate to be manipulated and restoring the disc space with an artificial disc did just that--and "stretched" them out--so they are quite mad right now.

2) In terms of relief: change your position frequently (standing, sitting, laying down). You can also do light hamstring stretches, BUT I would wait on these for quite some time. There are many massage tools (the ones with three probes that are made for working out knots) that can help work out some of the pain. I found them beneficial when I would lay the weight of my leg on them. Also, I would look into a cheap massager that you can use daily---this was a life-saver for me!

Goodluck!

[trkdoc714]

The first 8-9 weeks were the worst for me. It takes a while for your body to overcome the trauma of anterior surgery.

I had distraction pain for several months but at the 12 week period it was becoming less intense and didn't require even aspirin.

Don't worry about pain meds at this point. You'll heal better keeping your pain at a minimum. Your body will tell you when its time to start PT.

Justin's correct, you only get one chance to heal right. Take it slow and easy, you'll get there.

Good luck,

Bob

[Cindylou]

Welcome Barb. I'm glad you have your surgery behind you at this point. Yes, that distraction pain can be a total bugger. Extremely uncomfortable. You could possibly talk to your surgeon about putting you on some nerve medication like Lyrica or Neurontin. I went on Lyrica and it helped immensely to relieve the nerve pain. Sometimes you have to get the dose at just the right therapeutic level to make it work, so don't give up. My distraction pain lasted a good 4-5 months, and it was only the Lyrica that made it tolerable. Good luck! Cindylou

[scduggan]

Dear Barb,
Welcome to the website. I also have the Freedom disc. Mine is placed at L4/L5. Last week marked my one year anniversary. I agree with Cindylou and her suggestion concerning the Lyrica. It is almost impossible to not be terrified of everything you will feel in the next few months.....Hang in There. My year was filled with lots of ups and downs. I had a lot of nerve issues with my hips but the pain did not go down my leg. I think this is probably because my disc was higher. You will feel a lot better at 3 months. I remember the trial coordinator at Texas Back telling me almost all ADR patients feel much better from their 6 week check-up to their three month check-up. Just keep walking every day. You will rest A LOT. Sounds good in the beginning, huh? Not so fun after about a week. One of the biggest things I have learned is that the human spine does not have much of a sense of humor. It is very grouchy and carries a grudge. You can have a bad day (or block of days) for no apparent reason. On the good side, you will have good days too.....days in which you know deep in your heart that you are better than before. Changing positions often is key in the first few weeks. I got in a hot bath often because the water seemed to help any aching in my low back and hips (after is is safe with your incision). I am also not a clinical person, but my advice is to not rush in to physical therapy. I am sure your surgeon has opinions. One last thing is to NOT WORRY ABOUT THE PAIN PILLS. This is way easier said than done. Everyone is different but I found I was not as active if I was trying to tough it out through a rough spot. Your meds will let you do more and regain your strength. Please keep us posted. You have found a great place for comrades who know your plight.
CD

[rhatzy]

Barb,

I think recovery all depends on how long you had this problem. I had it for about 11years and my recovery was pure hell. The pain was a lot worse after the 2 level lumbar. My pain level was like a nicad battery. The voltage stays high until it just finally quits. After about 5 months, it just all of a sudden dropped way down and after about 8 months, I was off all drugs and pain free. So, take the the pain meds when needed so you will be able to do the walking and the PT. It does help.

Mark

[bigdogchief76]

I'm glad to hear about distraction pain.

I'm 17 days out from ADR for L5-S1; to know distraction pain is a possibility is a huge tidbit of knowledge. I would have been freaking out if a few days after surgery I was having the same symptoms as before the surgery.

Not naïve to think that pain will be gone, but, still, nerve pain is bad enough as it is. Post-surgery nerve pain would make me mad if I didn't know it was a distinct possibility

[KBear]

I'm glad to hear about distraction pain.

I'm 17 days out from ADR for L5-S1; to know distraction pain is a possibility is a huge tidbit of knowledge. I would have been freaking out if a few days after surgery I was having the same symptoms as before the surgery.

Not naïve to think that pain will be gone, but, still, nerve pain is bad enough as it is. Post-surgery nerve pain would make me mad if I didn't know it was a distinct possibility

I never had leg pain until after surgery. I was definitely freaking out that they had messed something up; but it all went away with time.