Due to ongoing back pain over a few years and a recent injury that caused my back a significant problem I needed to have Lumbar Spinal Fusion, L5-S1. I thought I would post my experiences in case this is useful to anyone else in a similar position.
Prior to the surgery I had horrendous '12 out of 10' sciatic pain in my left leg and very painful, but not so bad sciatic pain in my right leg plus back pain and stiffness. Strong meds didn't cut it. The only option 4 different orthapaedic consultants, 2 UK and 2 from overseas where I live, GP and Physios gave me was a L5-S1 fusion. I am now 3 weeks post-op and so glad I had this done. I was very scared, doubtful, dubious and always wondered if this was really the best option, perhaps there was a non-surgical treatment I should have been exploring despite the advice. Everything happenned quickly following the accident, I spent hours researching and talking to others who had undergone a fusion as the last thing I wanted was uneccessary surgery.I was regularly reading 'this is the worse thing you could do', 'desperate last resort only', 'hardly ever works', 'end up worse than before the surgery'. All this made the prospects of surgery so scary- was I really doing the right thing.
As soon as I woke up after the surgery, I had no sciatic stabbing pains-they had just gone.Relief!!!!! Yes it was all really painful, particularly for the first 24 hours, but more a 'surgery' pain down my 15cm wound.I was on very strong painkillers, but not much different from pre-op. The first day or 2 was so hard, but gradually things did and continue to improve. I walk as frequently as I can, further than I have for a long time, have aching/throbbing type sciatic pain that is more annoying than painful and was expected as the swelling around the nerves settles down. I get tired really easily and have to stop and rest frequently so need to be really careful that I don't overdo things each day. I need to lie down, stand up or walk- sitting is very uncomfortable but you are advised not to do this for quite some time anyway. It is difficult as i have two young children,but with help we manage. However, every day is better than the one before and for the first time I can see light at the end of the tunnel. Whereas before I could not imagine I would ever do any physical activities again and my life would always be ruled by excrutiating pain/strong pain killers, now I can see how amost anything will be possible eventually.
Spinal Fusion will not be right for everyone, but what I have found is that it can be a really good option. It was scary and still is as recovery is a long process. But feeling the way I do, for me it certainly was the right decision. I feel so much for anyone suffering from back pain and hope you, like me, are able to find a solution that is right for you that enables you to have the life you want.