Spinal Fusion Surgery Support
Group Description
This group is for patients who are preparing for or have already had, spinal fusions at any level of their spine.
Group Rules
Everyone on this site is dealing with chronic pain of different sorts, as well as other diagnoses. Any day could be a bad day or a good day. Let's treat everyone with respect and kindness and assume that we are all doing our best but maybe having a bad day. No -isms will be tolerated!
We want everyone to feel safe here. Bullying of any kind isn't allowed, and degrading comments about race, religion, culture, sexual orientation, gender, or identity will not fly here.
If someone posts about their experiences and asks a question or seeks advice, by all means, offer it. But sometimes, we need to vent and commiserate. Please refrain from giving unsolicited advice or telling other members what they should do. Instead, respectfully offer some things that helped you along your journey.
Our mission is to support our community members by educating, supporting, and empowering them to live their best lives despite their spine issues. Please do not spam our feed or groups with promotions and links to products for profits or your company/practice. You can share products when someone asks for recommendations or advice.
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Retiredprofessor
17d
However, I am still very stiff. Biggest problem is very stiff right quadriceps, which causes problems if I walk for more than 1K. A very stiff quadriceps causes your walking gait to be awkward.
Went for 8 month follow-up with surgeon. I pointed out my stiffness problem. Surgeon claimed that this was not due to surgery "Only weakness is associated with nerve damage, not stiffness." However, I noted that the L4 nerve root controls the quadriceps, and that this problem appeared two months after surgery. The surgeon then mumbled something about "decompressed nerves being overexcited" and sent me on my way.
Went to sports medicine doctor. He suggested physio, massage. The physio suggested the usual stretching (which I was already doing for some months, having googled this). Massage not seem to do anything. I asked the physio and massage therapist how many fusion patients they had dealt with. Answer: none.
Went to physio recommended by the surgeon. She had lots of experience with fusion patients. However, she did not really know about how to deal with people who want to be active. She was perplexed by the stiff quadriceps, and speculated that it must have something to do with the surgery (no kidding).
So, ok, I am definitely better after the surgery. However, it is difficult to find anyone to help in terms of actually getting back to an active lifestyle. Everyone is very happy that (a) I can walk around and (b) I am not on pain meds.
So, it looks like we fusion patients are somewhat on our own in terms of figuring what works and what does not. I have received various contradictory messages about what activities are "safe" after a fusion, and what is to be avoided.
I would be interested in seeing what others have to say.
Gin
24d