So before having surgery I was told that it would be at least 3 months after surgery before I would start feeling back to “normal” again. I honestly don’t remember what I was thinking before surgery except, get rid of this pain NOW! I didn’t really know that I would be trading one pain for another type of pain, and I most certainly did not think it was going to take so long. I should’ve done more research, but I was desperate, and desperate times call for desperate measures. I’m not saying that I regret having surgery, I just wish I had prepared myself more for how long and difficult the recovery would be. I’ve hit the 3 month mark now and after my physical therapist did a re-evaluation last week, she determined that I would need physical therapy for probably another 2-3 months. My left hip is very weak and because of my spine being fused together it just doesn’t move like it used to. I am getting stronger, but it’s slow, and my muscles surrounding my incision are very tight and every time I go to PT my therapist works and works on loosening those muscles up. (which involves her rubbing and trying to knead out the knots, it hurts, a lot) I’ve been reading a lot of “back surgery” forums and things, and it seems that most people that have had the same surgery as I have took closer to a year before they started feeling “better.” (which is a relative term, because unfortunately, some people continue to have pain after surgery and end up requiring more surgeries. I am praying that will not be my fate.) Obviously, everyone is different, and I know that this surgery isn’t going to relieve ALL of my pain. I still have leg pain when I sit, in the front of my right leg, and it’s the medical mystery that no one can figure out. I’ve got to live with it, and I have been for 7 years now, so I try not to sit for long periods of time. After talking with my orthopaedic surgeon and his P.A. I feel better about the fact that I’m still having pain. (that sounds weird to say that, but it gave me hope that things are going to continue to get better) They told me to keep working hard in PT, be patient, and try not to overdo it because that will only set me back. I’m doing the best I can, but I just can’t avoid some of the day to day activities that involve taking care of two little curly-headed boys =)
So I found some information that I wish I would have read before surgery. However, even if I had read it I would have been an idiot and thought, “Well that won’t be me, it won’t take that long for me to heal, because I’m just going to tough it out.” Stupid, stupid, stupid. I’m a moron.
North American Spine Society (spine.org)
“Substantial bone healing does not usually take place until three or four months after surgery. At that time activities may be increased, although continued evidence of bone healing and remodeling may continue for up to a year after surgery.”
“Although fusion can be a very good treatment for some spinal conditions, it does not return your spine to “normal.” The normal spine has some degree of motion between vertebrae. Fusion surgery eliminates the ability to move between the fused vertebrae, which can put added strain on the vertebrae above and below the fusion. Fortunately, once a fusion has healed it rarely, if ever, breaks down. However, it does place more stress on the vertebrae next to the fusion. This has some potential to accelerate degeneration of those segments, but this risk varies between individuals. Many surgeons therefore recommend that spinal fusion patients avoid repetitive strenuous activities that involve combined lifting and twisting maneuvers to minimize the stress on the areas around the fusion.”
Does repetitive movement involve buckling a toddler into his car seat, or helping him pull up his underwear and pants every time he goes to the bathroom? I love my boys, regardless of how strenuous my days may be at times, they help motivate me to get strong and work hard. Life is full of mountains and valleys. As my granny says, “This too shall pass, and now would be good!” I’m doing a lot of character building. I’m having some great tests of faith, patience, and many other things. Lately I’ve had a negative and defeated attitude, but I’m trying to pull myself out of it and keep pressing on.
I’ve been thinking a lot about pain this week. Physical pain, and mental and emotional pain. The thing is, if I have to endure pain down here on earth in order to enjoy an eternity where there will be no pain, no sorrow, and no tears, then so be it. At least pain in this life can be managed and treated, because the never-ending pain in Hell will be everlasting and untreatable. It’s definitely something to think about, and it has helped me to put things in perspective.
