Guest guest Posted May 16, 2011 Report Share Posted May 16, 2011 Hello, new to the group. Apr 15 I had L5 - S1 fusion surgery. I'm still in my turtle shell back brace as I will be for another two months. Has anybody here gone thru similar surgery and had to wear the brace for so long? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 17, 2011 Report Share Posted May 17, 2011 I had an L5-S1 Spine fusion with hardware and cage at the end of December and I wore my back brace for 2 months as well. Second month they let me take the dish out of the thing. They had me start weaning off of it at 6 weeks. " Without rabbits a rabbits foot would be nothing but a disembodied hand full of unidentified toes. " -Pogo spinal problems From: jls_tx2002@... Date: Tue, 17 May 2011 04:23:34 +0000 Subject: L5 - S1 fusion Hello, new to the group. Apr 15 I had L5 - S1 fusion surgery. I'm still in my turtle shell back brace as I will be for another two months. Has anybody here gone thru similar surgery and had to wear the brace for so long? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 17, 2011 Report Share Posted May 17, 2011 Hi and others; I am contemplating L5 fusion surgery. Can you tell me how your recovery has been so I can know what to expect. Ellen From: Bunny <christina_bunny@...> Subject: RE: L5 - S1 fusion spinal problems Date: Tuesday, May 17, 2011, 6:44 AM I had an L5-S1 Spine fusion with hardware and cage at the end of December and I wore my back brace for 2 months as well. Second month they let me take the dish out of the thing. They had me start weaning off of it at 6 weeks. " Without rabbits a rabbits foot would be nothing but a disembodied hand full of unidentified toes. " -Pogo spinal problems From: jls_tx2002@... Date: Tue, 17 May 2011 04:23:34 +0000 Subject: L5 - S1 fusion Hello, new to the group. Apr 15 I had L5 - S1 fusion surgery. I'm still in my turtle shell back brace as I will be for another two months. Has anybody here gone thru similar surgery and had to wear the brace for so long? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 17, 2011 Report Share Posted May 17, 2011 Hi . Thanks for responding. I'm not sure what you are referring to when you say " cage " ? I had what they call Nuvasive...minimally invasive surgery. I only got hardware installed on one side of the spine. How is your back pain now? No more problems? Jim > > > I had an L5-S1 Spine fusion with hardware and cage at the end of December and I wore my back brace for 2 months as well. Second month they let me take the dish out of the thing. They had me start weaning off of it at 6 weeks. > > " Without rabbits a rabbits foot would be nothing but a disembodied hand full of unidentified toes. " -Pogo > > > > > > spinal problems > From: jls_tx2002@... > Date: Tue, 17 May 2011 04:23:34 +0000 > Subject: L5 - S1 fusion > > > > > > > Hello, new to the group. Apr 15 I had L5 - S1 fusion surgery. I'm still in my turtle shell back brace as I will be for another two months. > Has anybody here gone thru similar surgery and had to wear the brace for so long? > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 17, 2011 Report Share Posted May 17, 2011 Hi Ellen, Spent 4 days after surgery in the hospital. The back never hurt after surgery but everything associated with it was aggravating. Tubes running in & out of me, morphine made me a bit sick, pain pills made me hallucinate...some vomiting. It's been a month now and I'm just waiting for the spine to fuse. I have a Dr appointment in two weeks where he'll xray the spine and tell me more. But my back is getting stronger each day. The back brace is a annoying but part of the game. I read that some surgeons don't require their patients to use braces but mine believes in them. The biggest thing I had to figure out was the toilet situation. Dr said that anytime I wasn't laying in bed I had to wear the brace and that meant when going to the bathroom also. The problem was that wearing the brace I could not reach my back side to wipe it...no darn way!! So I constructed a simple bidet to wash myself. I have a photo of that if anybody is interested. I would be curious how others dealt with this little problem. Jim > > > From: Bunny <christina_bunny@...> > Subject: RE: L5 - S1 fusion > spinal problems > Date: Tuesday, May 17, 2011, 6:44 AM > > > > I had an L5-S1 Spine fusion with hardware and cage at the end of December and I wore my back brace for 2 months as well. Second month they let me take the dish out of the thing. They had me start weaning off of it at 6 weeks. > > " Without rabbits a rabbits foot would be nothing but a disembodied hand full of unidentified toes. " -Pogo > > > > > > spinal problems > From: jls_tx2002@... > Date: Tue, 17 May 2011 04:23:34 +0000 > Subject: L5 - S1 fusion > > > > > > > Hello, new to the group. Apr 15 I had L5 - S1 fusion surgery. I'm still in my turtle shell back brace as I will be for another two months. > Has anybody here gone thru similar surgery and had to wear the brace for so long? > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 17, 2011 Report Share Posted May 17, 2011 My doctor wanted me to wear the brace while using the toilet too and gave me tongs to use for wiping. I just couldnt do it that way and ended up not using the brace while using the toilet...as far as I can tell it hasnt changed my recovery. The only complication I had happened while wearing the brace so go figure. " Without rabbits a rabbits foot would be nothing but a disembodied hand full of unidentified toes. " -Pogo spinal problems From: jls_tx2002@... Date: Tue, 17 May 2011 12:32:18 +0000 Subject: Re: L5 - S1 fusion Hi Ellen, Spent 4 days after surgery in the hospital. The back never hurt after surgery but everything associated with it was aggravating. Tubes running in & out of me, morphine made me a bit sick, pain pills made me hallucinate...some vomiting. It's been a month now and I'm just waiting for the spine to fuse. I have a Dr appointment in two weeks where he'll xray the spine and tell me more. But my back is getting stronger each day. The back brace is a annoying but part of the game. I read that some surgeons don't require their patients to use braces but mine believes in them. The biggest thing I had to figure out was the toilet situation. Dr said that anytime I wasn't laying in bed I had to wear the brace and that meant when going to the bathroom also. The problem was that wearing the brace I could not reach my back side to wipe it...no darn way!! So I constructed a simple bidet to wash myself. I have a photo of that if anybody is interested. I would be curious how others dealt with this little problem. Jim > > > From: Bunny <christina_bunny@...> > Subject: RE: L5 - S1 fusion > spinal problems > Date: Tuesday, May 17, 2011, 6:44 AM > > > > I had an L5-S1 Spine fusion with hardware and cage at the end of December and I wore my back brace for 2 months as well. Second month they let me take the dish out of the thing. They had me start weaning off of it at 6 weeks. > > " Without rabbits a rabbits foot would be nothing but a disembodied hand full of unidentified toes. " -Pogo > > > > > > spinal problems > From: jls_tx2002@... > Date: Tue, 17 May 2011 04:23:34 +0000 > Subject: L5 - S1 fusion > > > > > > > Hello, new to the group. Apr 15 I had L5 - S1 fusion surgery. I'm still in my turtle shell back brace as I will be for another two months. > Has anybody here gone thru similar surgery and had to wear the brace for so long? > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 17, 2011 Report Share Posted May 17, 2011 Would you say that the surgery was worthwhile, of course, once you got past the recovery process? Ellen From: Bunny <christina_bunny@...> Subject: RE: L5 - S1 fusion spinal problems Date: Tuesday, May 17, 2011, 6:25 PM My doctor wanted me to wear the brace while using the toilet too and gave me tongs to use for wiping. I just couldnt do it that way and ended up not using the brace while using the toilet...as far as I can tell it hasnt changed my recovery. The only complication I had happened while wearing the brace so go figure. " Without rabbits a rabbits foot would be nothing but a disembodied hand full of unidentified toes. " -Pogo spinal problems From: jls_tx2002@... Date: Tue, 17 May 2011 12:32:18 +0000 Subject: Re: L5 - S1 fusion Hi Ellen, Spent 4 days after surgery in the hospital. The back never hurt after surgery but everything associated with it was aggravating. Tubes running in & out of me, morphine made me a bit sick, pain pills made me hallucinate...some vomiting. It's been a month now and I'm just waiting for the spine to fuse. I have a Dr appointment in two weeks where he'll xray the spine and tell me more. But my back is getting stronger each day. The back brace is a annoying but part of the game. I read that some surgeons don't require their patients to use braces but mine believes in them. The biggest thing I had to figure out was the toilet situation. Dr said that anytime I wasn't laying in bed I had to wear the brace and that meant when going to the bathroom also. The problem was that wearing the brace I could not reach my back side to wipe it...no darn way!! So I constructed a simple bidet to wash myself. I have a photo of that if anybody is interested. I would be curious how others dealt with this little problem. Jim > > > From: Bunny <christina_bunny@...> > Subject: RE: L5 - S1 fusion > spinal problems > Date: Tuesday, May 17, 2011, 6:44 AM > > > > I had an L5-S1 Spine fusion with hardware and cage at the end of December and I wore my back brace for 2 months as well. Second month they let me take the dish out of the thing. They had me start weaning off of it at 6 weeks. > > " Without rabbits a rabbits foot would be nothing but a disembodied hand full of unidentified toes. " -Pogo > > > > > > spinal problems > From: jls_tx2002@... > Date: Tue, 17 May 2011 04:23:34 +0000 > Subject: L5 - S1 fusion > > > > > > > Hello, new to the group. Apr 15 I had L5 - S1 fusion surgery. I'm still in my turtle shell back brace as I will be for another two months. > Has anybody here gone thru similar surgery and had to wear the brace for so long? > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 17, 2011 Report Share Posted May 17, 2011 a cage is a little spacer they put into the disc space to keep it open while the fusion takes so you dont lose any height. About 4 weeks post op I sat up funny from a chair and felt something pull a couple levals above. Ever since then I've had some pulling pain and bruising eaching at the leval. We thought at first it was a pulled muscle or stitiches...now the doctor is admitting it might be that disc. Other than that I have none of the problems I had post op at the leval I had fused. I can stand longer and go for walks for 2 miles and do far more core strengthening excersizes then I was capeable of pre operatively. but at the area I pulled I hurt when I bridge or arch back and sometimes when I stand too long ( a couple hours) It really achs in that area. At the moment I'm concierned that that area wont rehab adaquatly with what I am doing for my surgery and that I may be looking at a second surgery sooner then I would like. But I have no problems with the area I had surgery on. " Without rabbits a rabbits foot would be nothing but a disembodied hand full of unidentified toes. " -Pogo spinal problems From: jls_tx2002@... Date: Tue, 17 May 2011 12:13:11 +0000 Subject: Re: L5 - S1 fusion Hi . Thanks for responding. I'm not sure what you are referring to when you say " cage " ? I had what they call Nuvasive...minimally invasive surgery. I only got hardware installed on one side of the spine. How is your back pain now? No more problems? Jim > > > I had an L5-S1 Spine fusion with hardware and cage at the end of December and I wore my back brace for 2 months as well. Second month they let me take the dish out of the thing. They had me start weaning off of it at 6 weeks. > > " Without rabbits a rabbits foot would be nothing but a disembodied hand full of unidentified toes. " -Pogo > > > > > > spinal problems > From: jls_tx2002@... > Date: Tue, 17 May 2011 04:23:34 +0000 > Subject: L5 - S1 fusion > > > > > > > Hello, new to the group. Apr 15 I had L5 - S1 fusion surgery. I'm still in my turtle shell back brace as I will be for another two months. > Has anybody here gone thru similar surgery and had to wear the brace for so long? > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 17, 2011 Report Share Posted May 17, 2011 It becomes pretty clear that doctors have never worn one of these braces. Tongs??...Good Grief!! Jim > > > > > > From: Bunny <christina_bunny@> > > Subject: RE: L5 - S1 fusion > > spinal problems > > Date: Tuesday, May 17, 2011, 6:44 AM > > > > > > > > I had an L5-S1 Spine fusion with hardware and cage at the end of December and I wore my back brace for 2 months as well. Second month they let me take the dish out of the thing. They had me start weaning off of it at 6 weeks. > > > > " Without rabbits a rabbits foot would be nothing but a disembodied hand full of unidentified toes. " -Pogo > > > > > > > > > > > > spinal problems > > From: jls_tx2002@ > > Date: Tue, 17 May 2011 04:23:34 +0000 > > Subject: L5 - S1 fusion > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Hello, new to the group. Apr 15 I had L5 - S1 fusion surgery. I'm still in my turtle shell back brace as I will be for another two months. > > Has anybody here gone thru similar surgery and had to wear the brace for so long? > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 17, 2011 Report Share Posted May 17, 2011 With my spinal stenosis, I can no longer bend without great pain. I am an avid gardener and this is breaking my heart, not being able to get outside to garden. I also love biking and haven't been able to do that either. After spinal fusion, are these activities I would be able to do again, in your opinions? Thanks for helping me out! Ellen From: Bunny <christina_bunny@...> Subject: RE: L5 - S1 fusion spinal problems Date: Tuesday, May 17, 2011, 6:38 PM a cage is a little spacer they put into the disc space to keep it open while the fusion takes so you dont lose any height. About 4 weeks post op I sat up funny from a chair and felt something pull a couple levals above. Ever since then I've had some pulling pain and bruising eaching at the leval. We thought at first it was a pulled muscle or stitiches...now the doctor is admitting it might be that disc. Other than that I have none of the problems I had post op at the leval I had fused. I can stand longer and go for walks for 2 miles and do far more core strengthening excersizes then I was capeable of pre operatively. but at the area I pulled I hurt when I bridge or arch back and sometimes when I stand too long ( a couple hours) It really achs in that area. At the moment I'm concierned that that area wont rehab adaquatly with what I am doing for my surgery and that I may be looking at a second surgery sooner then I would like. But I have no problems with the area I had surgery on. " Without rabbits a rabbits foot would be nothing but a disembodied hand full of unidentified toes. " -Pogo spinal problems From: jls_tx2002@... Date: Tue, 17 May 2011 12:13:11 +0000 Subject: Re: L5 - S1 fusion Hi . Thanks for responding. I'm not sure what you are referring to when you say " cage " ? I had what they call Nuvasive...minimally invasive surgery. I only got hardware installed on one side of the spine. How is your back pain now? No more problems? Jim > > > I had an L5-S1 Spine fusion with hardware and cage at the end of December and I wore my back brace for 2 months as well. Second month they let me take the dish out of the thing. They had me start weaning off of it at 6 weeks. > > " Without rabbits a rabbits foot would be nothing but a disembodied hand full of unidentified toes. " -Pogo > > > > > > spinal problems > From: jls_tx2002@... > Date: Tue, 17 May 2011 04:23:34 +0000 > Subject: L5 - S1 fusion > > > > > > > Hello, new to the group. Apr 15 I had L5 - S1 fusion surgery. I'm still in my turtle shell back brace as I will be for another two months. > Has anybody here gone thru similar surgery and had to wear the brace for so long? > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 17, 2011 Report Share Posted May 17, 2011 Recovery will require a lot of time and patience and someone to care for you that first month, but it was not nearly as bad as I was expecting. I had surgery through the back rather than the front and that helped recovery time a lot. It took me a good 3 months before it was easy to roll over in bed, but getting around was much easier then I anticipated. I managed to get off of pain medication 2 weeks after surgery. But they will give you meds for a good 6 weeks if you need them. I had gaurd rails put up in the bathroom and toilet risers that helped a lot, and a body pillow and extra pillows to tuck behind your back will be helpful. I also found one of those trays they have at the hospital online and it really really helped, as did one of those arm chair pillow rest thingies. I went with nightgowns and now underwear for the first couple weeks to make using the bathroom easier. And I needed help getting dressed for a good month as well as showering. I am now 5 months post op and doing well and have been through 2 rounds of rehab and starting a third. I need more rehab to get back to my job. I teach martial arts. Most people are fine with some water therapy and some land therapy after that. Massage therapy has helped a lot too. When you scar starts to scab over and flake off it might be helpful to have a thick hypogenic lotion to rub into the incission. I found mine tugged and pulled where part of it was coming off and part of it was still attached and once that was all off it was much more comfortable. The shea butter I used to keep it moist really helped. Make sure you have Netflix, or some collection of movies to watch and a couple of mindless games or farmville or something to do as well. I was way too fatigued mentally and physically for the first couple months to do anything like read or needlework like I was expecting too. If you have any questions during your recovery dont hesitate to email me off group...just put spine surgery question in the title so I know its not junk mail and put you on my safe list. " Without rabbits a rabbits foot would be nothing but a disembodied hand full of unidentified toes. " -Pogo spinal problems From: ellenfarber@... Date: Tue, 17 May 2011 04:53:16 -0700 Subject: RE: L5 - S1 fusion Hi and others; I am contemplating L5 fusion surgery. Can you tell me how your recovery has been so I can know what to expect. Ellen From: Bunny <christina_bunny@...> Subject: RE: L5 - S1 fusion spinal problems Date: Tuesday, May 17, 2011, 6:44 AM I had an L5-S1 Spine fusion with hardware and cage at the end of December and I wore my back brace for 2 months as well. Second month they let me take the dish out of the thing. They had me start weaning off of it at 6 weeks. " Without rabbits a rabbits foot would be nothing but a disembodied hand full of unidentified toes. " -Pogo spinal problems From: jls_tx2002@... Date: Tue, 17 May 2011 04:23:34 +0000 Subject: L5 - S1 fusion Hello, new to the group. Apr 15 I had L5 - S1 fusion surgery. I'm still in my turtle shell back brace as I will be for another two months. Has anybody here gone thru similar surgery and had to wear the brace for so long? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 17, 2011 Report Share Posted May 17, 2011 I would say if your goal is to be free of the pain then yes. I am still trying to determain weather or not the surgery will allow me to do what I could no longer do before surgery. I can however walk longer and stand longer then I could before. Still having some trouble with housework, but have not given up yet. " Without rabbits a rabbits foot would be nothing but a disembodied hand full of unidentified toes. " -Pogo spinal problems From: ellenfarber@... Date: Tue, 17 May 2011 11:37:52 -0700 Subject: RE: L5 - S1 fusion Would you say that the surgery was worthwhile, of course, once you got past the recovery process? Ellen From: Bunny <christina_bunny@...> Subject: RE: L5 - S1 fusion spinal problems Date: Tuesday, May 17, 2011, 6:25 PM My doctor wanted me to wear the brace while using the toilet too and gave me tongs to use for wiping. I just couldnt do it that way and ended up not using the brace while using the toilet...as far as I can tell it hasnt changed my recovery. The only complication I had happened while wearing the brace so go figure. " Without rabbits a rabbits foot would be nothing but a disembodied hand full of unidentified toes. " -Pogo spinal problems From: jls_tx2002@... Date: Tue, 17 May 2011 12:32:18 +0000 Subject: Re: L5 - S1 fusion Hi Ellen, Spent 4 days after surgery in the hospital. The back never hurt after surgery but everything associated with it was aggravating. Tubes running in & out of me, morphine made me a bit sick, pain pills made me hallucinate...some vomiting. It's been a month now and I'm just waiting for the spine to fuse. I have a Dr appointment in two weeks where he'll xray the spine and tell me more. But my back is getting stronger each day. The back brace is a annoying but part of the game. I read that some surgeons don't require their patients to use braces but mine believes in them. The biggest thing I had to figure out was the toilet situation. Dr said that anytime I wasn't laying in bed I had to wear the brace and that meant when going to the bathroom also. The problem was that wearing the brace I could not reach my back side to wipe it...no darn way!! So I constructed a simple bidet to wash myself. I have a photo of that if anybody is interested. I would be curious how others dealt with this little problem. Jim > > > From: Bunny <christina_bunny@...> > Subject: RE: L5 - S1 fusion > spinal problems > Date: Tuesday, May 17, 2011, 6:44 AM > > > > I had an L5-S1 Spine fusion with hardware and cage at the end of December and I wore my back brace for 2 months as well. Second month they let me take the dish out of the thing. They had me start weaning off of it at 6 weeks. > > " Without rabbits a rabbits foot would be nothing but a disembodied hand full of unidentified toes. " -Pogo > > > > > > spinal problems > From: jls_tx2002@... > Date: Tue, 17 May 2011 04:23:34 +0000 > Subject: L5 - S1 fusion > > > > > > > Hello, new to the group. Apr 15 I had L5 - S1 fusion surgery. I'm still in my turtle shell back brace as I will be for another two months. > Has anybody here gone thru similar surgery and had to wear the brace for so long? > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 17, 2011 Report Share Posted May 17, 2011 , was your surgery due to an accident...like an auto accident? Jim > > From: Bunny <christina_bunny@...> > Subject: RE: L5 - S1 fusion > spinal problems > Date: Tuesday, May 17, 2011, 6:44 AM > > I had an L5-S1 Spine fusion with hardware and cage at the end of December and I wore my back brace for 2 months as well. Second month they let me take the dish out of the thing. They had me start weaning off of it at 6 weeks. > > " Without rabbits a rabbits foot would be nothing but a disembodied hand full of unidentified toes. " -Pogo > > spinal problems > From: jls_tx2002@... > Date: Tue, 17 May 2011 04:23:34 +0000 > Subject: L5 - S1 fusion > > > > Hello, new to the group. Apr 15 I had L5 - S1 fusion surgery. I'm still in my turtle shell back brace as I will be for another two months. > Has anybody here gone thru similar surgery and had to wear the brace for so long? > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 17, 2011 Report Share Posted May 17, 2011 Gosh...I guess that I'm either very lucky or my surgeon was very good. I'm not having anything near the complications that some of you are having. My scar never had a scab and isn't noticeable at all. About an inch and half long. Of course, your injuries and situations could be different too. Jim > > > > From: Bunny <christina_bunny@> > > Subject: RE: L5 - S1 fusion > > spinal problems > > Date: Tuesday, May 17, 2011, 6:44 AM > > > > I had an L5-S1 Spine fusion with hardware and cage at the end of December and I wore my back brace for 2 months as well. Second month they let me take the dish out of the thing. They had me start weaning off of it at 6 weeks. > > > > " Without rabbits a rabbits foot would be nothing but a disembodied hand full of unidentified toes. " -Pogo > > > > spinal problems > > From: jls_tx2002@ > > Date: Tue, 17 May 2011 04:23:34 +0000 > > Subject: L5 - S1 fusion > > > > > > > > Hello, new to the group. Apr 15 I had L5 - S1 fusion surgery. I'm still in my turtle shell back brace as I will be for another two months. > > Has anybody here gone thru similar surgery and had to wear the brace for so long? > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 17, 2011 Report Share Posted May 17, 2011 My scar is about 2 and a half but looked bigger when it was healing. Scabbing depends a whole lot on how your skin heals. " Without rabbits a rabbits foot would be nothing but a disembodied hand full of unidentified toes. " -Pogo spinal problems From: jls_tx2002@... Date: Tue, 17 May 2011 19:32:37 +0000 Subject: Re: L5 - S1 fusion Gosh...I guess that I'm either very lucky or my surgeon was very good. I'm not having anything near the complications that some of you are having. My scar never had a scab and isn't noticeable at all. About an inch and half long. Of course, your injuries and situations could be different too. Jim > > > > From: Bunny <christina_bunny@> > > Subject: RE: L5 - S1 fusion > > spinal problems > > Date: Tuesday, May 17, 2011, 6:44 AM > > > > I had an L5-S1 Spine fusion with hardware and cage at the end of December and I wore my back brace for 2 months as well. Second month they let me take the dish out of the thing. They had me start weaning off of it at 6 weeks. > > > > " Without rabbits a rabbits foot would be nothing but a disembodied hand full of unidentified toes. " -Pogo > > > > spinal problems > > From: jls_tx2002@ > > Date: Tue, 17 May 2011 04:23:34 +0000 > > Subject: L5 - S1 fusion > > > > > > > > Hello, new to the group. Apr 15 I had L5 - S1 fusion surgery. I'm still in my turtle shell back brace as I will be for another two months. > > Has anybody here gone thru similar surgery and had to wear the brace for so long? > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 17, 2011 Report Share Posted May 17, 2011 I'm 5 months out and feel I could garden and bike without any problems. I would just have to be careful about reaching and pulling weeds and get a little closer...which I am sure your already doing pre-surgery, only after you would be able to do so with good body mechanics without all the pain. One thing I'll stress is that post surgery the pain and the instability is very much improved. However that does not mean I can go back and do things without proper body mechanics. I still need to do a golfers lift and squat to lift things and such. But before surgery it did not matter if I did those things or not I still was in pain all the time. " Without rabbits a rabbits foot would be nothing but a disembodied hand full of unidentified toes. " -Pogo spinal problems From: ellenfarber@... Date: Tue, 17 May 2011 11:41:08 -0700 Subject: RE: L5 - S1 fusion With my spinal stenosis, I can no longer bend without great pain. I am an avid gardener and this is breaking my heart, not being able to get outside to garden. I also love biking and haven't been able to do that either. After spinal fusion, are these activities I would be able to do again, in your opinions? Thanks for helping me out! Ellen From: Bunny <christina_bunny@...> Subject: RE: L5 - S1 fusion spinal problems Date: Tuesday, May 17, 2011, 6:38 PM a cage is a little spacer they put into the disc space to keep it open while the fusion takes so you dont lose any height. About 4 weeks post op I sat up funny from a chair and felt something pull a couple levals above. Ever since then I've had some pulling pain and bruising eaching at the leval. We thought at first it was a pulled muscle or stitiches...now the doctor is admitting it might be that disc. Other than that I have none of the problems I had post op at the leval I had fused. I can stand longer and go for walks for 2 miles and do far more core strengthening excersizes then I was capeable of pre operatively. but at the area I pulled I hurt when I bridge or arch back and sometimes when I stand too long ( a couple hours) It really achs in that area. At the moment I'm concierned that that area wont rehab adaquatly with what I am doing for my surgery and that I may be looking at a second surgery sooner then I would like. But I have no problems with the area I had surgery on. " Without rabbits a rabbits foot would be nothing but a disembodied hand full of unidentified toes. " -Pogo spinal problems From: jls_tx2002@... Date: Tue, 17 May 2011 12:13:11 +0000 Subject: Re: L5 - S1 fusion Hi . Thanks for responding. I'm not sure what you are referring to when you say " cage " ? I had what they call Nuvasive...minimally invasive surgery. I only got hardware installed on one side of the spine. How is your back pain now? No more problems? Jim > > > I had an L5-S1 Spine fusion with hardware and cage at the end of December and I wore my back brace for 2 months as well. Second month they let me take the dish out of the thing. They had me start weaning off of it at 6 weeks. > > " Without rabbits a rabbits foot would be nothing but a disembodied hand full of unidentified toes. " -Pogo > > > > > > spinal problems > From: jls_tx2002@... > Date: Tue, 17 May 2011 04:23:34 +0000 > Subject: L5 - S1 fusion > > > > > > > Hello, new to the group. Apr 15 I had L5 - S1 fusion surgery. I'm still in my turtle shell back brace as I will be for another two months. > Has anybody here gone thru similar surgery and had to wear the brace for so long? > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 17, 2011 Report Share Posted May 17, 2011 No, I have degenerative disc disease...so that does affect the outcome. People who have had an auto accedent and only have injury to the area they are having surgery on have a better prognosis then those of us with DDD and less complications. " Without rabbits a rabbits foot would be nothing but a disembodied hand full of unidentified toes. " -Pogo spinal problems From: jls_tx2002@... Date: Tue, 17 May 2011 18:56:28 +0000 Subject: Re: L5 - S1 fusion , was your surgery due to an accident...like an auto accident? Jim > > From: Bunny <christina_bunny@...> > Subject: RE: L5 - S1 fusion > spinal problems > Date: Tuesday, May 17, 2011, 6:44 AM > > I had an L5-S1 Spine fusion with hardware and cage at the end of December and I wore my back brace for 2 months as well. Second month they let me take the dish out of the thing. They had me start weaning off of it at 6 weeks. > > " Without rabbits a rabbits foot would be nothing but a disembodied hand full of unidentified toes. " -Pogo > > spinal problems > From: jls_tx2002@... > Date: Tue, 17 May 2011 04:23:34 +0000 > Subject: L5 - S1 fusion > > > > Hello, new to the group. Apr 15 I had L5 - S1 fusion surgery. I'm still in my turtle shell back brace as I will be for another two months. > Has anybody here gone thru similar surgery and had to wear the brace for so long? > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 17, 2011 Report Share Posted May 17, 2011 LOL....you should have seen the look of horror on my face when they handed me those things. Fortunatly I found with a single leval fusion I could reach just fine without my brace on. " Without rabbits a rabbits foot would be nothing but a disembodied hand full of unidentified toes. " -Pogo spinal problems From: jls_tx2002@... Date: Tue, 17 May 2011 18:41:49 +0000 Subject: Re: L5 - S1 fusion It becomes pretty clear that doctors have never worn one of these braces. Tongs??...Good Grief!! Jim > > > > > > From: Bunny <christina_bunny@> > > Subject: RE: L5 - S1 fusion > > spinal problems > > Date: Tuesday, May 17, 2011, 6:44 AM > > > > > > > > I had an L5-S1 Spine fusion with hardware and cage at the end of December and I wore my back brace for 2 months as well. Second month they let me take the dish out of the thing. They had me start weaning off of it at 6 weeks. > > > > " Without rabbits a rabbits foot would be nothing but a disembodied hand full of unidentified toes. " -Pogo > > > > > > > > > > > > spinal problems > > From: jls_tx2002@ > > Date: Tue, 17 May 2011 04:23:34 +0000 > > Subject: L5 - S1 fusion > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Hello, new to the group. Apr 15 I had L5 - S1 fusion surgery. I'm still in my turtle shell back brace as I will be for another two months. > > Has anybody here gone thru similar surgery and had to wear the brace for so long? > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 17, 2011 Report Share Posted May 17, 2011 I have had 3 operations including a fusion then removal of the metal 5 years later and all 3 were completely sucessful. Last Thursday I hurt my back in the mid or thoracic area of my spine I am in to much pain to know for sure where the injury is. I am waiting for my doctor to call me right now to see if he will order the MRI so I can get going on this problem (s). I haven't had this kind of pain in many years. I dont' have enough pain control to last the month. Janice L5 - S1 fusion Hello, new to the group. Apr 15 I had L5 - S1 fusion surgery. I'm still in my turtle shell back brace as I will be for another two months. Has anybody here gone thru similar surgery and had to wear the brace for so long? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 17, 2011 Report Share Posted May 17, 2011 I had DDD too. And I may be speaking prematurely. I'm only 4 weeks post op and still in the brace. Everything could still go to hell, I suppose. Jim > > > > From: Bunny <christina_bunny@> > > Subject: RE: L5 - S1 fusion > > spinal problems > > Date: Tuesday, May 17, 2011, 6:44 AM > > > > I had an L5-S1 Spine fusion with hardware and cage at the end of December and I wore my back brace for 2 months as well. Second month they let me take the dish out of the thing. They had me start weaning off of it at 6 weeks. > > > > " Without rabbits a rabbits foot would be nothing but a disembodied hand full of unidentified toes. " -Pogo > > > > spinal problems > > From: jls_tx2002@ > > Date: Tue, 17 May 2011 04:23:34 +0000 > > Subject: L5 - S1 fusion > > > > > > > > Hello, new to the group. Apr 15 I had L5 - S1 fusion surgery. I'm still in my turtle shell back brace as I will be for another two months. > > Has anybody here gone thru similar surgery and had to wear the brace for so long? > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 17, 2011 Report Share Posted May 17, 2011 I posted a picture of my redneck bidet for your amusement. I'm sure you'll get a laugh...but it works. ) Jim > > > > > > > > > From: Bunny <christina_bunny@> > > > Subject: RE: L5 - S1 fusion > > > spinal problems > > > Date: Tuesday, May 17, 2011, 6:44 AM > > > > > > > > > > > > I had an L5-S1 Spine fusion with hardware and cage at the end of December and I wore my back brace for 2 months as well. Second month they let me take the dish out of the thing. They had me start weaning off of it at 6 weeks. > > > > > > " Without rabbits a rabbits foot would be nothing but a disembodied hand full of unidentified toes. " -Pogo > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > spinal problems > > > From: jls_tx2002@ > > > Date: Tue, 17 May 2011 04:23:34 +0000 > > > Subject: L5 - S1 fusion > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Hello, new to the group. Apr 15 I had L5 - S1 fusion surgery. I'm still in my turtle shell back brace as I will be for another two months. > > > Has anybody here gone thru similar surgery and had to wear the brace for so long? > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 17, 2011 Report Share Posted May 17, 2011 So sorry you're in pain again, Janice. Hang in there. I never thought about having the metal removed. Was it starting to cause pain? Jim > > From: Bunny <christina_bunny@...> > Subject: RE: L5 - S1 fusion > spinal problems > Date: Tuesday, May 17, 2011, 6:44 AM > > I had an L5-S1 Spine fusion with hardware and cage at the end of December and I wore my back brace for 2 months as well. Second month they let me take the dish out of the thing. They had me start weaning off of it at 6 weeks. > > " Without rabbits a rabbits foot would be nothing but a disembodied hand full of unidentified toes. " -Pogo > > spinal problems > From: jls_tx2002@... > Date: Tue, 17 May 2011 04:23:34 +0000 > Subject: L5 - S1 fusion > > > > Hello, new to the group. Apr 15 I had L5 - S1 fusion surgery. I'm still in my turtle shell back brace as I will be for another two months. > Has anybody here gone thru similar surgery and had to wear the brace for so long? > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 17, 2011 Report Share Posted May 17, 2011 5 years after the fusion at L-5 S-1 it started to hurt me when I stood up a while or bent over so I had to have it removed that 2013 I have and no problems at all until 5 days ago. Janice L5 - S1 fusion > > > > Hello, new to the group. Apr 15 I had L5 - S1 fusion surgery. I'm still in my turtle shell back brace as I will be for another two months. > Has anybody here gone thru similar surgery and had to wear the brace for so long? > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 17, 2011 Report Share Posted May 17, 2011 I really appreciate all of the excellent advice.....very much! Ellen From: Bunny <christina_bunny@...> Subject: RE: L5 - S1 fusion spinal problems Date: Tuesday, May 17, 2011, 6:44 AM I had an L5-S1 Spine fusion with hardware and cage at the end of December and I wore my back brace for 2 months as well. Second month they let me take the dish out of the thing. They had me start weaning off of it at 6 weeks. " Without rabbits a rabbits foot would be nothing but a disembodied hand full of unidentified toes. " -Pogo spinal problems From: jls_tx2002@... Date: Tue, 17 May 2011 04:23:34 +0000 Subject: L5 - S1 fusion Hello, new to the group. Apr 15 I had L5 - S1 fusion surgery. I'm still in my turtle shell back brace as I will be for another two months. Has anybody here gone thru similar surgery and had to wear the brace for so long? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 17, 2011 Report Share Posted May 17, 2011 Just be really careful for the first 6 weeks and I'm sure you'll do fine. It takes that long for the muscles to repair...up to 2-3 moths for the fusion to take. " Without rabbits a rabbits foot would be nothing but a disembodied hand full of unidentified toes. " -Pogo spinal problems From: jls_tx2002@... Date: Tue, 17 May 2011 20:26:40 +0000 Subject: Re: L5 - S1 fusion I had DDD too. And I may be speaking prematurely. I'm only 4 weeks post op and still in the brace. Everything could still go to hell, I suppose. Jim > > > > From: Bunny <christina_bunny@> > > Subject: RE: L5 - S1 fusion > > spinal problems > > Date: Tuesday, May 17, 2011, 6:44 AM > > > > I had an L5-S1 Spine fusion with hardware and cage at the end of December and I wore my back brace for 2 months as well. Second month they let me take the dish out of the thing. They had me start weaning off of it at 6 weeks. > > > > " Without rabbits a rabbits foot would be nothing but a disembodied hand full of unidentified toes. " -Pogo > > > > spinal problems > > From: jls_tx2002@ > > Date: Tue, 17 May 2011 04:23:34 +0000 > > Subject: L5 - S1 fusion > > > > > > > > Hello, new to the group. Apr 15 I had L5 - S1 fusion surgery. I'm still in my turtle shell back brace as I will be for another two months. > > Has anybody here gone thru similar surgery and had to wear the brace for so long? > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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