topic Re: Has Anyone Had Back Surgery? in Wellness

Has Anyone Had Back Surgery?

ECBG — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 21:42:55 GMT

Could you please share your experience and rehab. I am looking at spine surgery.

Thank you.

Re: Has Anyone Had Back Surgery?

Sage04 — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 22:08:31 GMT

@ECBG, wow sorry to hear about what you're going through.

We had a 15 year old boy living with us who had back surgery. I think it's called scoliosis. We found out when he went for his physical. They operated on him during the summer break.
They put a rod and screws in his back and he got an inch taller. He was in a lot of pain for a few days after the surgery. No physical therapy involved. He's now 30 and doing well.

Don't know if it's the same type of surgery you're looking at but you will be ok.

Re: Has Anyone Had Back Surgery?

Q-Checker — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 22:06:20 GMT

What kind of spine surgery? There are multiple spinal surgical procedures and many bones in the spinal column. Have you talked with your surgeon about this and asked for answers to your questions? If you have not done this, I think it is a good starting point,

Re: Has Anyone Had Back Surgery?

TrustintheLord — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 22:07:10 GMT

I have had 3 spinal fusions. I live in dire pain every day.dont fo it

Re: Has Anyone Had Back Surgery?

Sage04 — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 22:07:27 GMT

@Q-Checker I think she would find that out when she sees the Doctor.

I had two Cervical Spine surgeries 2003 and 2004 and hardly have any pain now. I was so relieved to know there was a way out.

Re: Has Anyone Had Back Surgery?

Sage04 — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 22:13:19 GMT

@TrustintheLord wrote:
I have had 3 spinal fusions. I live in dire pain every day.dont fo it

@TrustintheLord so sorry you are still in pain. Guess I had the best Neurosurgeons. I had 2 Cervical spine fusions.The first was in Florida and the second one was here in Georgia one year apart.

Do they know why you are still in pain? I was shocked when I was told there will be no pain after I woke up and they were right. No pain whatsoever. The only pain I get every now and then is if I do something stupid and hurt my neck.

Re: Has Anyone Had Back Surgery?

2sisters — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 22:14:13 GMT

I have had three and my last one was a spinal fusion six years ago. It has helped immensely but I have spinal stenosis, basically arthritis in my spine, which no surgery will correct. And I still have days that the pain is intense. I have four pins in my lower spine.

Such as everyone is different my advice would get a second opinion and even a third. I was off work for 8 weeks and had PT twice a week. Spinal fusion takes about six months or longer to completely heal.
As someone else posted what kind of back surgery? Again I would get other opinions. The surgeon who did my surgery was a spine and neuro dr.

Re: Has Anyone Had Back Surgery?

TrustintheLord — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 22:15:54 GMT

Yes I go to pain management. They have helped a lot. I cannot imagine what life would be without the pain meds.

Re: Has Anyone Had Back Surgery?

Sage04 — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 22:18:46 GMT

@TrustintheLord I love your user name. Don't know if i can say this here but I do believe in Prayer. Two years ago I was told that some number was infringeing on another number and it was very painful but decided that no more surgery and Prayer brought me through.

My fusions were at C3-C4 and C6-C7.

Re: Has Anyone Had Back Surgery?

Sage04 — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 22:25:25 GMT

@2sisters wrote:
I have had three and my last one was a spinal fusion six years ago. It has helped immensely but I have spinal stenosis, basically arthritis in my spine, which no surgery will correct. And I still have days that the pain is intense. I have four pins in my lower spine.
Such as everyone is different my advice would get a second opinion and even a third. I was off work for 8 weeks and had PT twice a week. Spinal fusion takes about six months or longer to completely heal.
As someone else posted what kind of back surgery? Again I would get other opinions. The surgeon who did my surgery was a spine and neuro dr.

@2sisters I always said I would only let a Neurosurgeon do my surgery. I have a titanium plate and four screws on each fusion. Everytime I have an exray done, there they are and I always say those Neurosurgeons are so Blessed. How did they do that?

I've also heard that arthritis could develope but so far so good.

Re: Has Anyone Had Back Surgery?

SilleeMee — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 22:27:22 GMT

My entire neck, from the base of my skull to the top of my shoulders, is all fake bones and held together with screws. It was an all-day surgery but I was up and doing normal things in a few days. Not really any 'recovery time' at all and certainly no rehab either.

Re: Has Anyone Had Back Surgery?

TrustintheLord — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 22:30:12 GMT

Thanks I had L2,L3,L4,L5. I pray every day hoping for relief. Have good days and bad day's. Just try my best is all I can do.

Re: Has Anyone Had Back Surgery?

2sisters — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 22:34:24 GMT

@Sage04 oh yes they are very Blessed! He was actually my third opinion. Mine was on L2 and L3. You are blessed for not having arthritis, I knew I had it before surgery but in that area was bone on bone. I do take Tramedol when needed and it helps.
I too believe in prayer and the One I pray to. 💕

@TrustintheLord I love your name as well!

Re: Has Anyone Had Back Surgery?

Sage04 — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 22:37:00 GMT

@SilleeMee wrote:
My entire neck, from the base of my skull to the top of my shoulders, is all fake bones and held together with screws. It was an all-day surgery but I was up and doing normal things in a few days. Not really any 'recovery time' at all and certainly no rehab either.

@SilleeMee did they use cadaver bones? That scared me a little. Friends would say I would set off the alarms at the airport but of course everything is titanium.

With the first fusion C3-C4 I had to wear a neck brace (looked like a helmet) 24/7 couldn't move my head. I was given two and even had to shower with it on. I never went to rehab or physical therapy. The second C6-C7 I wore just a regular brace but only when I was walking around.

Re: Has Anyone Had Back Surgery?

DrakesMomma — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 22:59:29 GMT

I've had two spinal fusion surgeries. The last being just three years ago. I have lost some range of motion but I still do everything I need and want to do. I still do all my PT exercises almost every day. If you are able being doing post-op PT stretches. You can Google post-op PT for whatever you are having surgery for. If you can't do the PT stretches walk as much as you can pre-op. Also consider taking a calcium supplement. Pre and post-op incease your calcium and protein intake with food. It doesn't have to be a lot. Just be aware. Go to PT post-op, even if it is just a few appointments. I think the first couple were the most important. They explained how I should move until the fusion was complete, like getting in and out of a car, pull a shopping cart instead of pushing it. Pulling a shopping cart it is natural to use arm muscles and pushing a shopping cart uses back muscles. Even if it feels good, don't lean over a shopping cart.

ETA: My fusions were L5, L6 (only 9% of the world's population has an L6), S1 and then L3, L4.

Re: Has Anyone Had Back Surgery?

Sage04 — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 22:43:40 GMT

@TrustintheLord wrote:
Thanks I had L2,L3,L4,L5. I pray every day hoping for relief. Have good days and bad day's. Just try my best is all I can do.

@TrustintheLord I know the kind of pain you are in. I don't have to guess. There is nothing like nerve pain.

Yes that's all you can do and keep on believing.

Re: Has Anyone Had Back Surgery?

JeanLouiseFinch — Wed, 19 Jun 2024 02:01:51 GMT

I had spinal fusion in my neck around 6 yrs. ago. I am very grateful. My recovery was 12 weeks in a hard collar, 23 hrs. daily, no raising arms above my head, and no bending over. My husband helped me dress, he tried his best to do my hair, and he made sure I got outside a few times a day for my little walks. I cooked a lot in advance and froze food so it would be easier for him, but he still some light cooking too. For me, it was easier to sleep in a recliner than in our bed. Overall I did excellently but the surgery didn't resolve everything. I lost some range of motion and I have some residual nerve damage in my pinkies that I'm stuck with. I'm still glad I did it. The pain and spasms I was experiencing beforehand were horrible and intense but I haven't had any since.

Good luck to you.

Re: Has Anyone Had Back Surgery?

Sage04 — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 22:49:08 GMT

@SilleeMee wrote:
My entire neck, from the base of my skull to the top of my shoulders, is all fake bones and held together with screws. It was an all-day surgery but I was up and doing normal things in a few days. Not really any 'recovery time' at all and certainly no rehab either.

@SilleeMee I think we might have to change your user name lol. So glad you made it through.

Re: Has Anyone Had Back Surgery?

Sage04 — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 22:57:09 GMT

@JeanLouiseFinch maybe we had the same collar. Also slept in a recliner and that helped. No fun just looking straight ahead.

Before my surgeries I did a lot of arts and crafts and sewing but now I don't do as much. It took me over a year and more to get my first surgery because the MRI machine and I did not get alone. Tried 4 times with valium and morphine and just couldn't it. Then alone came the stand/sit MRI and that was it.

So the Neurosurgeon said that putting off surgery for so long could have cause some numbness in my fingers.

Re: Has Anyone Had Back Surgery?

JeanLouiseFinch — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 23:02:50 GMT

@Sage04 wrote:
@JeanLouiseFinch maybe we had the same collar. Also slept in a recliner and that helped. No fun just looking straight ahead.

Before my surgeries I did a lot of arts and crafts and sewing but now I don't do as much. It took me over a year and more to get my first surgery because the MRI machine and I did not get alone. Tried 4 times with valium and morphine and just couldn't it. Then alone came the stand/sit MRI and that was it.

So the Neurosurgeon said that putting off surgery for so long could have cause some numbness in my fingers.

I'm sure that has a lot to do with it, @Sage04. My own fault. I have always been the"ignore it and it'll go away" type. Now I'm paying closer attention.