Curious how long it took you to fuse? Poll maybe?!!

[tazdell]

Hi everyone,

I am 2 weeks and 6 days post op double lumbar fusion. I feel AMAZING. I am off all medication and literally have no pain. A little soreness from healing but no pain. I grew an inch...added bonus!

Anyway, since I feel so good, I want to know how long until I can actually get back to my regular routine.

Can you all chime in with how many weeks, months it took to start fusing. It seems so different for each of us but maybe I can get an average!

Also..any tips to help fuse faster? I have read to up the protein intake and lower the sugar....dang Atkins...I can't get away from it!!

My right leg is extremely tight, am I allowed to stretch a little or is that a fusion no no?

Thanks for the input...

lovin life,
tazdell

[steelskyway]

Hi Taz!

My brother at age 56 had a fusion at L3/4, L4/5. He had other issues and it was about 8 months. My neighbor age 58 male had a fusion at L5/S1 and his took 6 months. Me I had an ADR at L4/5. It better not fuse!!

Paul

[ans]

Congratulations on feeling much better. However, you have to hunker down and "behave". I've read that fusion can take ~ 9 months to 1.5 years. Do you have or will you use a bone stimulator? I heard that this assists fusion, especially in former smokers. I'd get it regardless.

Good luck! - ans

[CindyLou]

Taz,

I agree with ans. I had my L6-S1 fusion on July 2nd, and even tho you feel great, take it slow and be cautious. The fusing process can take anywhere from 6 months to 2 years. I was prescribed a bone growth stimulator, and my x-rays seem to indicate it is accelerating my healing process and bone fusion. Age matters too. How old are you? I am a 56 year old, post-menopausal woman, with severe (genetic) osteoporosis, but am actively promoting my health with my walks, my bone medication, and a minimum of 1500 mg of Calcium and and D. I've never been a smoker and have exercised my whole life, so am not over weight. That matters too. Also, remember, no bending, twisting, lifting etc., until doctor authorizes otherwise. Or you will endanger your fusion. Best of luck, and take it slow!

[tazdell]

Thanks everyone...

Cyndilou...I just turned 30 years old. I feel like I am healing quickly but know that it takes time and I am not going to do anything to mess it up. What is a bone growth stimulator?
I have never smoked and am off all medications. Do you take any vitamins? I just started taking calcium, vitamin D and genestin for bone density builder. My doctor said I would be driving at 2 weeks and gave me no restrictions. I know from everything I have read that I do have restrictions so I feel alone in my post op healing. Maybe I need a new doctor to help me through this process.

Again..thanks for the input...I feel alone with my doctor not helping at all....

tazdell

[punker]

tazdell,

I'd be careful with the activity level at this point. You need to discuss this with your doctor to be sure. Last thing you want to do is over do it and end up back where you started.

A bone growth stimulator is a device that creates a magnetic pulse that helps your body create bone. From what I have read, they know it (statistically) works, but not exactly how. I use one that looks like the following picture, but mine is for the neck. The second picture is of one made for the back. These people look much happier than I do when I am wearing mine... maybe it is because they got to wear it for five minutes while I have been wearing mine for about 22000 minutes. It's really not all that bad and it seems to be working.

[CindyLou]

Tazdell,

My bone growth stimulator looks exactly like the one on the right, in the cool picture Punker provided. I wear mine 2 hours daily. Yes, I do take vitamins, along with my Calcium, extra D, iron, etc. At my age, you can't fool around with it anymore, and hope that by taking 1 vitamin all week, it will somehow magically still do the job! Being younger should be in your favor for fusing more rapidly, but you just never know. So err on the side of caution. In regards to your Doctor, at your next appt. it might be a good idea to just honestly express to her/him that you need direction. You're treading water and need to know what to do, what to expect, do I need a bone growth stimulator, etc. (you are likely young enough they won't prescribe one perhaps?) I know I see my doctor this morning and I have been lax expressing some of these same thoughts, especially on stretching. So that is my goal this morning, to communicate that. I know for the first 3 months it was supposed to be walk, walk, walk, no bending lifting or twisting, but at 4 months, for me, shouldn't there be stretching? There you have it. Good luck Tazdell! Sounds like you are definitely on the road to pain free living! Take it slow, and keep us in the know, for sure.