This is my first time on the forum though I have used it as a resource for a while - hope someone out there might be able to reassure me.

Call it a lapse in judgement, the instinct of a mother or just plain stupid: I had fusion at L5/S1 just over two weeks ago and then yesterday my 18 month old son was crying and... yes, I lifted him.

I was sitting in an armchair and he was on my right, so I twisted and, despite bracing on the arms of the chair and only lifting him to my lap, my back is now sore at the level of the fusion.

My question is this: is this just muscle/ ligament irritation or could I have affected the actual bone graft or metal plate? Logic tells me that it cannot move as a result of awkward lifting, but fear makes me uncertain.

Any similar experiences?

If you're willing to accept simplistic advice: it's probably too early in your recovery to be sure of what happened. I'd suggest resting for a day or so and see if it subsides quickly. If it doesn't, I'd wonder if an x-ray could check for shifting.

Thanks for the reply.

It did settle down after a couple of days without further mishap and I have learnt my lesson!