Your experience is very similar to mine. I had the same surgery about 9 years ago. I was crushing a dead bush with my right foot when I felt a sharp pain near the back of my hip. I couldn't get out of bed the next morning, and I had to have the paramedics take me to the hospital. My first surgery only fused me from L2 to L3 about 10 years ago. The rod broke within a year, and I had a second surgery (with a different surgeon!) who removed the broken rod and extended the fusions from L2 to L5. I still have stiffness in my lower right leg, but I get monthly therapeutic massages to maintain my back health. I also use Gabapentin, but I don't really know how much it helps, as you said.
@@VAFZone To be honest, I don't remember, but I had to be cautious for a good while not to do anything strenuous until I was cleared by my doctor. I want to say it was about 6 months, though. Oh, one other thing that may or may not apply to you - do you have an adjustable bed? I do, and it's been a lifesaver! Whenever I go on a trip or a cruise, I wind up sleeping in a flat bed, and I always wake up stiff and sore. Not so when I'm home.
@@davidburrowes8678 Yes, since the surgery, I've been sleeping on our big, reclining couch (electrical recliner) and like you, I sleep reclined. Not ready to sleep on a flat bed yet.
I had a transforaminal Interbody Fusion; screws and rods. It went well!
Glad to hear!
Your experience is very similar to mine. I had the same surgery about 9 years ago. I was crushing a dead bush with my right foot when I felt a sharp pain near the back of my hip. I couldn't get out of bed the next morning, and I had to have the paramedics take me to the hospital. My first surgery only fused me from L2 to L3 about 10 years ago. The rod broke within a year, and I had a second surgery (with a different surgeon!) who removed the broken rod and extended the fusions from L2 to L5.
I still have stiffness in my lower right leg, but I get monthly therapeutic massages to maintain my back health. I also use Gabapentin, but I don't really know how much it helps, as you said.
Wow. Thanks David. How long did it take after the second surgery before lower back pain went away and you could mostly do normal activities?
@@VAFZone To be honest, I don't remember, but I had to be cautious for a good while not to do anything strenuous until I was cleared by my doctor.
I want to say it was about 6 months, though.
Oh, one other thing that may or may not apply to you - do you have an adjustable bed? I do, and it's been a lifesaver!
Whenever I go on a trip or a cruise, I wind up sleeping in a flat bed, and I always wake up stiff and sore. Not so when I'm home.
@@davidburrowes8678 Yes, since the surgery, I've been sleeping on our big, reclining couch (electrical recliner) and like you, I sleep reclined. Not ready to sleep on a flat bed yet.