SteveNU
Recycles dryer sheets
- Joined
- Feb 19, 2010
- Messages
- 416
I've had chronic lower back pain off and on for years. Over the past year or so it had been getting worse and I have tried some physical therapy which helped for a bit but didn't resolve the issue. Starting in April I noticed some weakness in my legs and tingling in my feet after walking short distances of 1/2 mile or so. I also had a hard time straightening up my back when walking. The doc put me on some meds while he started to try to get authorization for an CT scan. The meds seemed to help for a few weeks but the pain continued to get worse until finally about three weeks ago I was having a hard time even walking due to pain in my right leg and hip.
Went to the orthopedic group here in the area and they took some x-rays and found my lumbar spine had numerous issues. The worst was the L3-L4 had slipped off of each other by about 9mm. They were able to get an MRI approved rather quickly and showed the disc had been ruptured and was impinging on my L3 nerve.
Started a round of steroids which improved the condition about 90% for maybe 6 hours. Then we tried an injection but by the next morning I couldn't move from the couch. Spent 4 days laying on the couch unable to get up at all hoping the injection would start to kick in. By the fourth day I had had enough and ended up going to the ER in the ambulance where they admitted me due to intractable pain. I met with the surgeon in the hospital and we discussed what he felt needed to be done. Finally I gave the OK after realizing that a second opinion wasn't forthcoming and doing some research on my own.
I am 9 days post op now after getting the l3-l4 fusion and things are going well. My right leg was quite weak due to not being able to use it for the several weeks before the surgery so it has been a little slower recovering. Over the past few days I have started to walk around the house carefully with a back brace on and not need the walker, just a cane for a little security. Took my first shower tonight by myself without having to use the walker in the shower to stand up, that was nice! Didn't even need to take any pain meds today.
So I am happy with the results so far but realize it is still very early in the recovery process and I have months to go before I get back to somewhat normal life.
Worst part is I pulled the plug and fully retired just this year. Luckily my wife is retiring at the end of the month and she is burning up her vacation so she has been able to be by my side the whole time! Hell of way to start retired life!
Anyone else have any back surgery fusion stories or recovery tips?
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Early Retirement Forum mobile app
Went to the orthopedic group here in the area and they took some x-rays and found my lumbar spine had numerous issues. The worst was the L3-L4 had slipped off of each other by about 9mm. They were able to get an MRI approved rather quickly and showed the disc had been ruptured and was impinging on my L3 nerve.
Started a round of steroids which improved the condition about 90% for maybe 6 hours. Then we tried an injection but by the next morning I couldn't move from the couch. Spent 4 days laying on the couch unable to get up at all hoping the injection would start to kick in. By the fourth day I had had enough and ended up going to the ER in the ambulance where they admitted me due to intractable pain. I met with the surgeon in the hospital and we discussed what he felt needed to be done. Finally I gave the OK after realizing that a second opinion wasn't forthcoming and doing some research on my own.
I am 9 days post op now after getting the l3-l4 fusion and things are going well. My right leg was quite weak due to not being able to use it for the several weeks before the surgery so it has been a little slower recovering. Over the past few days I have started to walk around the house carefully with a back brace on and not need the walker, just a cane for a little security. Took my first shower tonight by myself without having to use the walker in the shower to stand up, that was nice! Didn't even need to take any pain meds today.
So I am happy with the results so far but realize it is still very early in the recovery process and I have months to go before I get back to somewhat normal life.
Worst part is I pulled the plug and fully retired just this year. Luckily my wife is retiring at the end of the month and she is burning up her vacation so she has been able to be by my side the whole time! Hell of way to start retired life!
Anyone else have any back surgery fusion stories or recovery tips?
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Early Retirement Forum mobile app
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