Successful Recovery from Back Surgery - Patients' Advice: Part III

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Patients share tips on achieving a successful recovery from back surgery
In this section, patients share tips and advice about what helped them most during their post-surgical recovery.

I am 32 and just had a baby 5 & half months ago. My problem started years ago, however it really flared up during the last 2 months of pregnancy. I had really bad pain in my lower back & right hip, leg and foot. After my baby was born I did chiropractic, active muscle release, massage therapy & ice/hot treatments plus daily exercises which did bring me to a point of being pain free. However, I started doing too much too fast and had a major setback. I finally went to the ER & the doc did a Cat-Scan & found I had a severely bulging disc on L4-L5 and that I needed a microdiscectomy. He put me on Morphine and Adavain and so I had to stop breastfeeding that day which was really hard. The ER Doc referred me to a neurosurgeon for a consultation 1 week later and he confirmed it and 1 week after that I went in for the surgery. I was pain free & walking straight (which I hadn’t for 7 months) right after the surgery. I left the clinic the next day and had my husband and mother in law to help out at home. I did have a few spasms in the 1st few days and have since found that certain movements cause them, but generally I am doing really well. I sleep on my side with a pillow between my legs and am able to lay on my back which I hadn’t for about 1 yr. I am now 2 weeks post op and am walking 15-20mins a day and am gradually getting more active with little pain. My next doc appointment is in 2 weeks and my goal it to be walking straight and able to lift my baby. Stay positive !!

From: Mary – Vancouver, Canada

I had S1/L5 spinal fusion with 4 screws and 2 rods. Surgery was 10 hours I was up and walking the next day. I am 3 months post op. I feel great. The only thing that bothers me is riding in the car for long periods of time and my hip still bothers me. I had bone taken from the hip. I do not regret the surgery at all. I walk a lot. I actually lost 10 pounds which makes me very happy. I go back to see my surgeon July 9th and am hoping to get the go ahead to work. I worked at a grocery store which I need to be able to lift up to 25 pounds, which I’m hoping will be possible. Good luck to everyone.

From: Kim LaFave

Hi, I’m a 33 year old male that had a S1/L5/L4 fusion done in
April of this year after 6 months of chiropractor care 2
Epidural shots and 2 sets of facet joints shots. I’m now 7 weeks
out I feel like a million dollars and I’m off my pain meds. My
advice to anyone DO IT YOU'LL FEEL BETTER LATER. I gotta admit
this website helped me a lot.

From: Scott – Wisconsin, USA

I had a discectomy a week ago,on the 06/12/07 for moderate disc herniation on the right side of the low back. Today was going to be my follow up with neuro, but it was cancelled. The surgery went fine, but I can't confirm if it was a success yet. But as far as advice, it’s not a complicated one, you just make sure you have all the family and friends around to help you during recovery as you won't be able to do anything by yourself. God with you all.

From: Amina – New Jersey

At age 55 I underwent lumbar fusion (L5-S1) with placement of titanium rods/screws for stabilization. Prior to surgery I had gone to pain management specialists for a series of 8 lumbar epidurals. I had also been under chiropractic care for many years. When the pain, difficulty walking, and other symptoms were finally acknowledged by a second neurosurgeon (first surgeon saw me for two minutes and said get more epidurals)and a surgical alternative was offered, I took the risk. Despite some minor, though painful complications that occurred two months after surgery, now, nine months after surgery, my spinal fusion is complete, I am virtually pain free, and can walk for miles. I hope to be able to play golf and tennis again, activities I had to stop years ago, due to my back problems. I would recommend this surgery, if conservative treatments do not help. Do your homework and look for a highly qualified team of surgeons.

From: Howie – New York, USA

Hi - I wanted to post my positive experience thus far with surgery. I had a microdiscectomy 2 days ago. I was pain free the same day and went home the next day. After suffering from severe sciatic pain for about 6 months, and ending up immobile and literally bed-ridden for the last 7 weeks, I finally had the surgery. I had an MRI in April and it showed herniation at L5/S1 - protrusion was 1.8 cm and 1 cm on other side....fairly large! i have been off of work for 9 weeks, I tried physical therapy for 6 of those weeks. I could barely drive the few miles to therapy and I could not sit in a chair. I literally had to lie all day and ice every hour or so. Finally, after therapy, acupuncture, massage and bedrest, I had the surgery. My surgeon said I should have had it weeks ago, my life would have been back to normal by now! I should have had the MRI months ago. The past is the past and I am looking forward to recovery. I cannot do any twisting, bending or lifting for 6 weeks, I can only walk daily as therapy. After 6 weeks, I will start doing more activity. Everyone's situation is different and you have to do what is right for YOU. You also have to take control of YOUR situation! Don't wait for answers...insist on them. I just want to say thus far I feel surgery was the best choice I could have made and I'm sorry I waited! Best of luck to all. Consider all your options!

From: LB – Illinois, USA

To Eddie in Florida - thanks for sharing your posting about your back surgery. I could have been reading my biography, though I'm still waiting for the MRI and surgery. I too have been in pain for many months, and physical therapy has done little to lessen the pain. I am a runner, scheduled to run a marathon in early October. I know it is a long-shot now, but I keep hoping the doctors will be able to help me sooner or later.

From: Michael – California, USA

At 16yrs old I had a degenerative prolapsed disc L5/S1 and was too young for a fusion, 3 months complete bed rest (with pillows under my legs) & back braces etc. helped but I never got back to a full sporting life and was told I would never ride my horses again! (a big shock at 16 as it was going to be my career!) at the age of 21 I went back to see my specialist and 'pleaded' with him to reconsider, My attitude was "it would be better to have some life than none at all." He agreed to another MRI to check the status and found that my L4/L5 was already on its way out, he decided to meet me half way and remove part of the disc with key hole surgery, but explained that it would only last for 5-7yrs IF I looked after it, it's now over 12yrs ago and has been brilliant. I resumed the horse riding and despite a few serious falls haven't looked back, I would DEFINITELY recommend people to consider this an option who are worried about a fusion its far less invasive and a good compromise. BUT like others have said make sure you check out the right specialist, I still feel like I owe mine my life!

From: Dell - UK

I am 35 yo post spinal fusion on L4/L5 due to a ruptured disc that had arthritis in the vertebrae. The big date was 3/6/07. I was frightened and thought paralysis was just around the corner. Well, that was a myth....After surgery I was under the influence of Valium and Hydrocodone (if spelled correctly). I was taken off of the valium because it spaced me out and I was talking out of my head. This lasted for bout a week and then I was on the a Hydrocodone and it controlled the pain. Along with the icepack. I sat in a recliner at 45 degree angle and bed rest for the 1st 3 weeks. By week 5, I was walking into my apointment without the 4 legged walker and a 2 hr trip to the doctor. I wasn't able to drive just ride My mobility is still limited to the no Bending, Lifting more than 5lb, and bending at the waist but I am walking 2 miles and shopping. I get fatigued still during the day, my incision site tingles, but every day I am getting better. I am young and was very active but time is what you need to heal properly with lots of rest and support to assist you for the next few months. Remember, you will do things at turtle pace at first. It's ok..that is to be expected. Believe me I know. I will write soon as my recovery progresses....What am I doing now? Getting help with housework and cooking. Walking to strengthen my back because it feel better than laying in bed and telling others about this experience.

From: Heather – South Carolina, USA

I had an anterior lumbar fusion L-5 S-1 on April 3, 2007, with facet fusion as well, incisions front and back. The things that helped the most were moist heat and family to help (picking things up, laundry, vacuuming etc).... I haven't figured out how to deal with the pain experienced at night. I'm having terrible muscle spasms, but I start PT next week. I'm especially looking forward to aquatic therapy. At 6 weeks post op, the pain at times is still there, and I'm still taking pain meds every 6 hrs, and looking forward to weaning slowly off. I do still have bouts of sciatica, and have had one steriod epi injection. Unfortunately, the space my surgeon created with grafts collapsed, but with the help of a bone growth stimulator brace, he still feels it will heal correctly. I might need to have my L-4 realigned in 6 months. Apparently it was due to the lack of any disc in the L-5 area. I remain positive with music, books, meditation, and good friends.

From: Robin – Massachusetts, USA

I had L4-L5 laminectomy and fusion 10 weeks ago. I cannot believe the difference in my life since surgery! Before surgery I could not walk 2 blocks without both legs going numb from waist to toes. Everyday activities created excruciating pain. I did PT & received 2 series of epidurals - all of which helped temporarily but still I gained weight and became withdrawn. I did not realize what an emotional toll all this took on me and my family until post-surgery when I began to feel "normal".

I was terrified of having surgery and there were plenty who warned me not to. The surgery was what I expected but the pain the 10 days afterwards was more than I anticipated. It was surgery pain, though - the other pain was gone! I cried the first time I walked to the end of my driveway when I realized that my hips did not ache, my feet did not ache and my legs weren't numb. Sure - the surgery site hurt and I was exhausted - but I truly felt a miracle had occured.

Do research on your doctor and hospital. Do your homework and read all you can about the procedure. Have reasonable expectations. Do EXACTLY what the doctor tells you to. If you can take three months off work - do it. I was back at work full time after 5 weeks but wish I had taken the full FMLA. You will start feeling better quickly and then the tendency is to do too much. Don't! Overdoing it after surgery is the only thing that has caused me pain.

My best pain relief after surgery and now is to walk. I came out of this with the true knowledge of what a gift health is. Good luck to you and God bless!!

From: Nancy – Illinois, USA

What a great site. I am a very active 40 year old who has had moderate - severe leg pain / numbness for a year due to a central L5-S1 hernia. Had a bilateral laminectomy/discectomy on 03/22/07 in the US after the Canadian system basically told me I would have to become crippled before surgery was warranted. Staying in good overall shape and strengthening my core was essential to remaining mobile and having a quick recovery from surgery. I am still only walking and riding a stationery bike daily for about 20 min. each and have just started doing the movements for my usual upper body work-out (no weight) to begin the next phase of my recovery after the 6 week mark. I would get scared about the occasional twinges that would occur - thinking I had done something to ruin the surgery but apparently that is normal for the first 4-6 months so I plan to take it very slow but get back into the best shape of my life by concentrating on core strength first, overall fitness second. Glad to hear the Canadian system worked for the lady in Calgary, but it failed me miserably. I recommend getting a surgeon whose specialty is spines only - specialists in Canada tend to be ortho surgeons who do spines, knees, hips, etc. AFTER you've exhausted all physio options, do not be scared off surgery - do your homework and get a good spinal "specialist". Getting my life back was worth it.

From: Dave – Battleford, Canada

Communicate with others in recovery.

* Note: This page expresses the experiences and opinions of patients, not doctors. The Back-to-Back forum is provided because we think people often have very practical advice and insights to share that can benefit other patients who have similar back problems. This section has not been peer reviewed by our Medical Advisory Board, and is provided for your informational purposes only.

If you have questions about your specific condition or treatment approach, please go through this site to read peer-reviewed health information about spinal conditions, diagnosis and treatment options. The quickest way to locate information on the site is to use the “keyword search” located in the upper left hand corner of each page. Also, if you want to talk online with others who may be in a similar situation, please go to the Message Board.