Just thought I would check in once again to let everyone know how its going. At my 3 month checkup, the doctor told me I could ditch the brace but all my other restrictions were still in place (no bending, lifting, twisting). He also prescribed 18 sessions of PT which have really been good. Lots of core work, stretching, balancing. I've been religious about doing the at-home work and I do 3 1-hour sessions per week. I'm sore every now and then, but no leg pain and any soreness in the back is just that, soreness.

Best of all, the doctor asked if I was being held back from any activities, and the main one I mentioned was cycling (I knew that baseball/softball was still out for the year!). He said I could ride, no problem. But not my road bike...so, I bought myself a cruiser (Electra Townie 7D) and I am riding the trails near my home. I typically do a 1 hour ride 5 days a week, and a 2+ hour ride once a week. The upright position is comfortable on the back, and the addition of a shock absorbing seatpost and only having the tires pumped to 50# (and watching for bad bumps) has kept the jarring to a minimum.

All the sensory issues I had post op are a distant memory. No leg soreness, no toe numbness, no numbness on the ball of my foot, nothing. It's all good.

I think the best thing I did was NOT to wait on the surgery, as I gave my nerve a fighting chance to get better before getting worse. Everything I have read about the L5-S1 fusion states that it has a minimal impact on the levels above in terms of their possibility of failure. So far, so good for me, I wish that anyone who opts for surgery gets the relief I got!

Corey

I have almost the exact same problems you had and the same condition.
I have some more personal questions to ask you.
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Thanks, Curtis

Thanks, Curtis **you can call me also and i will call you right back
Who was your surgeon and what city do you live in.

It is encouraging to hear that you are doing well! I am 1-1/2 weeks post op of a L5-S1 fusion no instrumentation. I am only 31 and was in the same boat as you. I was anxious to have the surgery because I feared it getting worse and didn't want pain to be the cause of me not enjoying my 2yr old.

Up until yesterday I was feeling great! I thought that everything was going smoothly. But I have suddenyl started having pain and tingling down both legs. I hope that my sensory issues work themselves out just as yours have done.

I am praying that I haven't done anything to mess up the healing process. My 2wk post-op appt is on Tues. 9/27 so I hope that my doc will be able to assure me that all is well.

Hi Corey, I'm staring the same surgery in the face now, after having partial disc removal several years ago. How are you doing at this point? Pain levels, activity etc?