L4/L5 Decompression and Fusion with Instrumentation
 

Hello All!

So I am sceduled to have L4/L5 Decompression and Fusion with Instrumentation surgery on the 23rd of February. I'm pretty freaked out about it. I have a few questions. I am 24 years old and very healthy. I was wondering what the typical recovery time is, how long I will be out of work, how long will I be "non-functional". The reason that I am wondering is because I'm getting married on July 3rd, and really don't want to be a burden with the pain and all. Any help/tips/info.... Give me all you have!

Thanks so much!

Matt

Same here!
 

Hi Matt, I am 24 years old as well, and also very healthy (well I was anyway, before all this back stuff). I am going in on the 12th for anterior/posterior lumbar fusion. I'm not too sure how similar our surgeries are, but I am going to need a week in the hospital followed by 4-6 weeks very limited movement. After my surgery I'll get on this forum and let you know what it was like (surgery) if you want.

Hello & Welcome ,
Didn't your surgeon give you any kind of time frame for your recovery?

I wish they would give people a paper with general info about these things...
and then make a note for any specifics to your issue...

are you seeing him another time before the surgery?
if so take a list of your main points and questions, it's so easy to forget what you want to know and then the appt is over with...:(

I'm sure others will be along to share their experiences with you soon.

welcome...sorry your needing surgery, and I can't offer any info, I have other spinal issues. I have many friends that have had this surgery and it is different for everyone....Good luck....

Yes that would be great! Thanks and good luck!

My surgeon told me 4 to 6 weeks but reading other peoples stories that seems a little optimistic. I didn't know if he said that because I'm young and thinks I will be able to heal fast. I am going to book another appointment before my surgery.

I am scheduled to have an L4 fusion with instrumentation on February 24, 2009 and am a little freaked out about it myself. Not so much the surgery itself but the recovery period. At least it will be warm here by the time I'm fully recovered!

I'm also just very concerned about the recovery time! I'm worried what my condition will be on july 3rd when I get married. If I'm not good to go I may post-pone the surgery! Good luck!

Butabie

given your age I don't think your recovery will be prolonged. My first fusion surgery was when I was 40 and I was back to work full time in 12 weeks. It is a long process. Your progress will be slow in the beginning. The best thing you can do ( if possible is walk, walk walk).

I'm not going to sugar coat it. The pain is intense! Are they doing it through the front or back? The surgery through the back is worse as they cut all your muscles to get to your spine.

Follow drs orders and go slow and easy. Im pretty confident you will be close if not 100% by July. By the way congrats on the wedding!!!

Dottie

Thank you for the information Dottie, and thank you for not sugar coating anything! I want to go in to this knowing the worst and expecting the best. I will go and talk with my Dr. this week just to go over a few things.

I want to find out what he will be fusing with. Why he wants to do a full fusion rather than a lamectomy (I think that's how you spell it) etcetera...

Thanks again for the reply, best wishes to you!

Matt