Recovery sucks (fusion)

**980birds** · 12-29-2010, 02:55 PM

Been dealing with back pain for years. Had my third and hopefully final surgery Monday before Christmas. 2 level (L4/L5 - L5/S1) facet fusion, no hardware. They used bone graft (look up nufix). Have to wear a brace for 4-6 weeks. I know some on here have had fusion done, what was you recovery like.

**bluehawk2000** · 12-29-2010, 02:58 PM

Damn that sucks hopefully it will fix your problem, I might end up having to do something about my back going to the va for mine, since it was mest up from iraq!!

**redls1** · 12-29-2010, 03:23 PM

After numerous steroid shots I went to a new doc and although I do have some spinal stuff going on he suggested physical therapy. To my surprise the right stretching has helped alot. Everybody else in my family has had back surgery and it didnt help much so best of luck to you.

**Smkn_TA** · 12-29-2010, 03:56 PM

Did you ever try the cortisone shots?

**bluehawk2000** · 12-29-2010, 04:07 PM

Originally Posted by Smkn_TA

Did you ever try the cortisone shots?

Them things suck at first but after you get it done its like heaven.

**FSANE** · 12-29-2010, 07:01 PM

had a partial discectomy 3 month ago. took me 2 month of recover.

**980birds** · 12-30-2010, 03:23 PM

I had every shot you could imagine. Did, and still do, physical therapy. I had a discectomy in April, it helped with the nerve pain but not the back pain. Had a discogram in October, one of the most painful things ever. I'm getting around better, still very sore and in a brace.

**bluehawk2000** · 12-30-2010, 03:26 PM

Originally Posted by 980birds

I had every shot you could imagine. Did, and still do, physical therapy. I had a discectomy in April, it helped with the nerve pain but not the back pain. Had a discogram in October, one of the most painful things ever. I'm getting around better, still very sore and in a brace.

I think I have nerve damage or something in my back, because it flares up when it gets cold, either that or i am getting arthoritis. It runs really bad in my family!!!

**980birds** · 12-30-2010, 05:38 PM

If it's just nerve pain, a minimally invasive discectomy would probably be good for you. It got rid of all my nerve pain, took about 3 weeks to recover from.

**bluehawk2000** · 12-30-2010, 05:52 PM

Originally Posted by 980birds

If it's just nerve pain, a minimally invasive discectomy would probably be good for you. It got rid of all my nerve pain, took about 3 weeks to recover from.

Thats what I am hoping it is lol, great thing is the VA will take care of it but I need to get my mri appointment set up!!

**nhraformula** · 12-30-2010, 06:04 PM

Originally Posted by 980birds

Been dealing with back pain for years. Had my third and hopefully final surgery Monday before Christmas. 2 level (L4/L5 - L5/S1) facet fusion, no hardware. They used bone graft (look up nufix). Have to wear a brace for 4-6 weeks. I know some on here have had fusion done, what was you recovery like.

A close friend of mine had that. He took his time recovering and advises it to everybody. He didnt go back to work for almost 7 months.