[Artificial Disc Replacement / Lumbar] NuVasive Lumbar eXtreme Lateral Total Disc Replacement (XL TDR) Recovery

[Alex]

Hi everyone....
I had this surgery done on March 16th and am now experiencing extreme hip and leg pain from the side the incision was made in. i am undergoing intensive physical therapy in hopes that is subsides.

[mike86]

Hi everyone....
I had this surgery done on March 16th and am now experiencing extreme hip and leg pain from the side the incision was made in. i am undergoing intensive physical therapy in hopes that is subsides.

I'm sorry to hear that! Did they say it was normal post-op pain? Please do post more details on your condition.

[Alex]

I am glad to report that with physical therapy, Lyrica and Mobic, my pain is less and I have better range of motion of my right leg....however it is still there and I'm hoping that I will soon be back to normal.......

[Katie]

What level did they do? I've had my L4/5 done with the XLIF the day after you, and other approaches with two other levels. I've no pain at all in my leg and hip, just in my lower back. That goes up and down with the amount and type of activity. I'm sorry you are going through this, but glad to hear that you are getting some relief.

Where was your surgery done?

[Alex]

Thanx Katie,
My surgery was done in Miami Beach. The hip that hurts is the same side of the incision. My surgeon says it's nerve pain that I am experiencing so tomorrow, I have to go get an epidural injection in hopes to bring down the post-op swelling that is interfering with the healing and with that nerve. IDK........just wanna be back to normal

[JenniferC]

Hi Alex,

I hope your pain is getting better. I was the first to have the surgery done here in Texas Jan. 09. I had really bad side insicion pain for at least 2 months. That has definitely went away, but I still have back pain which at my 6 month check my Dr. said I should not have since everything looked great on x-ray and MRI. Nothing like before but my Dr. said I should be completely pain free by now. I get the creepy-crawly leg thing at night, too sometimes. Wierd. I'm hoping I'm just a person that takes a bit longer to heal? Let me know how you're doing! Hopefully much better

[Katie]

Hi Jennifer. How long and how bad was your pain before surgery? Dr. Pimenta, my surgeon, said that because of the length of time and amount of meds I was on pre-op, that I could have 'memory pain' for quite awhile.

My pain levels are very low, except for this week, when I really overdid things. But they are still manageable, and I know what caused it. I am really hoping that every little back pain will be gone within the next few months. But a number of fusion patients here have said that it can take up to a year, so I'm going to be patient.

The only nerve pain I had disappeared quite soon after I got home, about a month after surgery. It hit both legs, but was more strongly annoying than anything else. I hope you are rid of this soon. Just curious, what side was your incision on? My L4/5 was on my left, and the L5/S1 was on the front right.

I hope you both are much better soon.

[JenniferC]

Hi Katie,

Oh wow...I've had back pain pre-op for about ten years. It just got real bad after my second riding accident when I'm pretty sure my disc blew.

I'm glad you replied to my post because I got really sad after leaving the dr. appt. thinking maybe I've failed in some way. I've started walking/doing crunches again and really feel that I'm sore from getting lazy and "babying" my back. Doc says I should be done with pain, but I'm thinking I'm just gonna take a little longer getting 100% like you had mentioned.

My incision is on the left and my scar is looking pretty good (if you can say a scar looks good????) My sciatica has completely gone away as well. The creepy leg thing is totally annoying!!!!!! Hasn't happened for awhile so lets just hope it stays away! Keep me posted on your progress! You've really been through the ringer and it's great you're doing soooo well!!!!!!! What an inspiration for others

Take care!!!!

Jennifer

[KBear]

Jennifer, My doctors also acted like I should feel great at the 6 month mark and on, but that wasn't the case for me either. It took a year to really start feeling a lot better. Some of us just take a little longer to heal than others. I think the feeling lazy is normal too, as I often felt that way too. Hang in there, it will get better.
Kathy

[JenniferC]

Kathy,

Thanks for the encouragement! I'm also thinking us Moms don't get the rest (like the guys do!)
My husband had surgery for a deviated septum and laid in bed like he was dying for about 3 days!!!!!!
Back surgery was bad....having a baby......WORSE!!!!!! If men had to do it the human race would die

Hope all is well and thanks again!!!!

Jennifer

P.S. Alex, how are you doing?????????????