Spinal fusion anybody? I had L4-S1 (3 disk) spinal fusion?!
Question:
Spinal fusion anybody? I had L4-S1 (3 disk) spinal fusion?
in Dec 2005 and am still experiencing a LOT of pain. The leg pain and muscle spasms have are gone but has anyone else who's had this surgery experienced chronic pain afterwards?
Answers:
Unfortunately, what you are describing is not that unusual. Besides working in orthopedic surgery many years ago, I have had two close relatives and a friend who had similar surgeries and every one of them still have significant pain years later....some of their symptoms are better, mind you, but still a lot of pain.
Sometimes, the best way to look at it is that the surgery stabilizes your condition and keeps it from getting worse. Having said that, I certainly wouldn't just accept that you have to live with your current level of pain. Go back to the doctor and see if there is anything he/she can recommend to make your symptoms better...maybe some type of physical therapy or pain management technique.
You might also explore alternative therapies like acupuncture, deep tissue massage, or even hypnotherapy to block your pain symptoms.
Good luck.