spinal fusion surgery recovery-inflamation

i had lumbar and pelvis surgery in 2011 its been a year and i am still self cath it is very stressful and painful do you think i will ever be able to pee on my  own again

3 weeks into recovery from L4'L5 fusion...feel some better,but does anyone know how long it takes to get over the run down feeling?still have surgery pain and cramps in my right leg.

I am new here as well. I have suffered with back pain for years. And had a very abusive husband that I finally left. I had a discectomy in 06 that was successful but he messed that up. I was told by my doctor last year that I needed a fusion on l5 s1 but I didn't want to hear that and suffered another year. I went for 3 other opinions. With the same conclusion. Fusion. So on the 21st I am having a fusion. And am not looking to forward to the pain of it all. But after having to wear back braces and tens units I am just looking forward to finally getting over pain and no more epidurals. Does the fusions totally limit your bending and movement forever though? Will I eventually be able to bend? I see everyone stating no twisting no bending. Is that forever?

I Had Fusion L4-L5 in January 2012 ...5 months later I'm playing soccer and going to the Gym, From my experience, very painefull the first 5 weeks but 6 weeks ago I started Physical therapy.... It helped me sooo much, Im bending and twisting with no problem.

I had an L5S1 fusion on June 6th 2012 which involved 3 incisions...one to the stomach, one at the hip to remove bone and one to the right of my spine to attach screws. In the hospital for 2 days. I expected a great deal of pain after the surgery but after just a few days, my pain has been minimal. Within a week, was able to manage without pain medication. The most difficult thing has been the avoidence of the bending, twisting, lifting, etc as I feel so good. Of course, I am still healing as it has not even been 2 weeks. Have lived with back pain and sciatica for well over 20 years so it is unbelievable to be close to pain free, particularly so soon after the surgery. Of course, everyone is different and handles pain differently but, in my case, can honestly say that this surgery was not difficult and the benefits are incredible. 

Hello MetalMan,

I am thinking of have a spinal fusion of L5-S1. I have spondy of L5-S1 and a bilateral foraminal stenosis of L4. I am only 30 years old and want to be active with my future children as well.

How is your recovery going now?

How long do we have to wait to bend, twist or lift?

I had L4;L 5 fission in January 2012; 6 month later no Paine little stiff, playing Tennis & Soccerat gym 3 times a week ...feels Great I'm male 48 yrs old... The First 6 weeks after surgery were Painfully

I have had 3 surgeries on the lwr back and the last one was fusion. It has been a long road, musle pain, inflamation, nerve pain down leg and tenderness in foot area. They also had to cut the nerve to the bowl, I just feel so wasted since my 1st. surg in 1999. The only thng that I can recommend is exercise, don;t give up. I am hoping that a new cure will come along soon for the nerve pain. and the swelling in the Virginia and pressure it leaves on the bladder. Honestly there seems to be something new everyday. It is difficult to get medical, as I have to take pain medicine, and most Doctor;s look at me as if I were a drug addict. If only they had to go through some of the side affects that pain medcine causes, particularly when there is so much nerve damage, that with pain meds constipation, is a daily painful job. please help if you have any information that you can pass on

Be very careful, and have the surgent discribe to you everything that has to be done, and what the 25% of "unknown" is going to be. Get a couple of opinis from well known specialist. Good Luck. Please let me know if there is help there for us.

I'm a 48 yr. old MaleI had L4;L5 fusion in January 2011; 8 months later I'm running, playing soccer, and active, no Paine at all. with faith and alot of positive attitude you will be like new. It took me 6 weeks to be stable no paine, no medicine.

I had L5-S1 fusion through my abdomen 4 months ago and am still very much in recovery. Still have same back and leg pain as before but am told everyone is different. I also have a cervical spinal cord injury that left me just short of paralysis, so I am blessed to be able to walk, use my hands and arms, etc. Patience is a virtue like none other when patience is most needed. Knowing when to just be patient and when to demand something more be done is also a virtue. I thinks that's called discernment. Wish I had more of both.I pray more f both for all of you who read these messages.

Hi
I also play ice hockey (lunch time ice hockey up 3x week , no checking but level b players). Facing l-5/l-4, l5-s1 fusion. how long post surgery did you get back on ice? any issues from continued playing?

I am scheduled for fusion feb 8 2013 two weeks from now and after reading all of this I am scared to death. I am having l4 l5 s1 fused and disc removal with cage. Everyday I am ready to cancel and live this way which is not great. I am now off my pain meds because my surg. said if I do not get off by 2 weeks prior to surgery the pain meds post op will not work This is horrible! I am thankful I have my husbands support but he does get very upset when i tell him I want to cancel out. I have had lumbar surgery at these same levels in 95 not for a fusion just disc and stenosis and now I have slippage and cysts My right leg hip and foot are weak and painful I hope it works

I had Lumbar Fussion L4 & L5 January 11th 2012,  a year ago, after One Year,  I feel Great!  Very active, Running ,Playing Soccer & Tennis. The First month post-Surgery it was Very, Very Painful, But thanks to God I'm  enjoying Life pain free. I'm Male 49 yrs old.  Hope this can be encouraging to some one.