Need good news on recovery time!

[bwitht]

I suffered a work injury in June 2006. I had pain the day of the injury, but didn't think much of it. After 5 weeks, when I still had burning sensation in my buttock and had fallen down my stairs, I went to the neurologist. At that time, I told him that I had some minor (embarrassing) bowel and bladder control issues. He ordered an MRI, put me on a strong NSAID and sent me home.

After that I had: PT, course of steroids, nerve block injection. Each time I spoke with the Dr. I told him about the bladder/bowel issues so he put me on Detrol LA. My personal Dr. asked why I hadn't be refurred for a second opinion after 9 months with increasing neuro symptoms. I told the neurologist about what my Dr. said, so he sent me to a urologist and he ordered a 2nd MRI.

When he looked at the 2nd MRI he said that I was significatly worse and had to be refurred to a surgeon. He put the original up on the viewer and you guessed it...it was the same. To his defense, I never really had pain.

The neurosurgeon saw me on 4/26 and wanted to do the surgery the next day but the OR was booked. On the 30th I had a 4 level fusion with laminectomy and hardware. When I came out of surgery, we discovered how much damage was done. I hammered my knee because I was not feeling pain and I had lost most of the strength in my left leg.

That gets us to today, I have been in PT for 4 weeks trying to increase the strength in my leg. Therapist said at least 4 more. I still cannot get up out of a regular chair or climb stairs using my weak leg. My leg is also hypersensative and I work on de-sensitising it every day. I will continue to wear my TLSO for another 6 weeks (+/-).

I am off pain meds, as the pain I have is from the arthritis in my knee and I cannot take any NSAIDS, so I just grin & bear it. Also, I can not take anything with morphine or codiene so I was limited anyway.

I am not a patient person, and I want everything better yesterday. I would really like to hear from others on how long their recovery took, especially with leg weakness and hypersensativity.

[Justoneofus]

HI and welcome to this board. You have found yourself in good company here. We are all everyday people with spine problems of one form or another.

I've only had a one level fusion (& hope no more please). Others that have had your amount or more will chime in I am sure.

I was in PT until I was 7 months post op. With your amount fused.. I wouldn't be a bit surprised if you dont need PT for sometime to come. It's very helpful and if it gets you where you need to be.. go for it.

The fact you are off pain meds.. is an excellent sign. I know you are suffering more, but still, a good sign.

Well, this surgery kicked my butt then some. I have always been a quick healer or of sorts, but not with this surgery. Even though I am solidly fused since 7 months.. I continue to see improvements body wise even now, and I am 14+ months post op. I would say I was almost at a year mark before I could say I felt more truly "normal". I have had some serious flare ups along the healing route and continue to have some pain, but is small compared to many on this board. I feel that I am a fully successful surgery even with some residual low level pain and some minor permanent neuropathy in my left leg/foot (which is a direct result of the surgery). I am not complaining. I can do so much more today than I've done in the past 4 years. I would have the surgery again all over.

So recovery for me continues to be ongoing and I am pretty busy and active gal at 45.

Taking this long is not what you wanna hear, but you had a very major surgery with some serious issues pre-surgery (bowel and bladder) to name a few. It's gonna take your body some time to recover from this trauma and the surgery. You are going to have to resolve yourself to this taking time and much patience is needed to heal properly. You dont want to hinder your healing.

Welcome.

[123dietdrpepper]

I agree. This surgery recovery varies from person to person and there is no exact set time of recovery. I had surgery Feb 1st. and am 5 months out. It has been extremely slow healing and I am the type of person who is a go getter. I am slowly starting to feel better but there are days where I just want to scream at the top of my lungs and other days where I just want to sit and cry out of frustration and pain.

I had a s1/s2 fusion without hardware in 1982. L5 laminectomy in 2006 and L5/s1 fusion with hardware Feb 1 2007.

Good luck and may you continue to heal and feel stronger each day.

[ibake&pray]

I had a three level fusion two years ago, My back broke the day after the surgery. I lost use of my left leg becuase they got me up to walk twice a day for a week before they "realized" that my back was broken and required another 5.5 hours of surgery. I am now fused from T9 to my sacrum. I also suffered from a DVT that went from my claf to my groin, which left my leg extremely sensitive...

I still stuggle with steps. Some days I can walk up with only holding onto one railing, some days it's two. Some days I can only do one step at a time. I can get in and out of chair without using my arms on good days, but on bad days require "help." I am still in PT . I am 2 years into a 4 year program and my surgeon hopes that I will regain full use of my leg. This is my prognosis. Having to have learned to live with this has not been a bed of roses...

There is always hope. BUT, you have to develop patience and you have to let your body work at it's own pace. If you force yourself too fast, you only end up setting yourself back. It ends up being a two step back and no step forward. Wanting to have it yesterday is a wonderful goal, but unfortunately, it just doesn't come like that. Kindness and gentleness often work better for your leg than anything else. Everybody heals at their own rate as most of us will tell you, but it is long bumpy road that we are on. we all stumble occasionally, but don't beat yourself up.

[bwitht]

Thanks for the encouragement.

I know this is going to be a long haul, but I guess I expected I would progress faster than I am. I have always been a fast healer and have taken pride in my strength. I work in a non-traditional career (I am a Sergeant in a men's prison), so my current weakness is devistating. I am fighting not to go into a deep depression (which I know is also a common occurance after major surgery), but I am losing ground.

I will get through this, and reading how the members of these boards have been through it will help greatly.