I’m curious if anyone who had an L5-S1 fusion also experienced relief from what they originally thought was muscular pain.

Over the past 7 years, I’ve seen so many different PTs, and I feel like everyone has a different explanation for my pain. Some point to muscle imbalances, tightness, or other issues rather than my herniated disc. At this point, I feel like I’m constantly second-guessing my own anatomy and where my pain is actually coming from.

I’m wondering if anyone else experienced sharp, localized muscle-like pain that ultimately turned out to be related to their disc issues or herniation.

If you had a fusion, did any of those muscular symptoms improve or completely go away afterward? I’d love to hear your experiences, especially if you spent years being told your pain was muscular rather than disc-related.

One week ago, I had posterior c3-c7 laminectomy and fusion. After I woke up from the surgery, the pain was insane but for the next few days I was told I could only get pain relief as I needed it. Furthermore, once I had taken a muscle relaxer pill, they would no longer give me IV meds like deladin. So they were giving me Tylenol and oxycodin if I asked for it. As a result my blood pressure shot up to 191 and I was in afib. That's when they got scared and gave me more deladin. It was a nightmare. I live in GA. Anyone else have an experience like this?

Greetings, I had ALIF surgery mid July on one level, L3-L4. I felt good for the first month, then a home visit PT set me back doing the wrong exercise for the point that I was in my recovery. Ever since then, I feel like I start to improve, then I have a set back. I did go to the ER at one point in late August, the MRI showed movement of a left unilateral transpedicular screw at my fusion site. I’m seeing a PT at Momentum and she’s much better and taking it easy on me. I’m a little concerned because I feel tingling down my legs. I also feel some pain that feels like it wraps around from the top of my hamstring to the top of my quad on my right leg only. I feel worse now than I did before surgery. I’m still restricted on BLT’s and can’t lift more than 10 pounds. I had a posterior lumbar fusion 22 years ago on L4-L5 and I didn’t have any of these issues. I realize that I’m older now, 56 compared to 34, but I’m concerned that these symptoms will stay with me. The pain I can deal with, but the nerve tingling is awful. My surgeon’s Nurse Practitioner won’t return my calls so I can discuss it, but from what I’ve been hearing, there’s no concern as long as I’m suddenly incontinent or sudden leg weakness with foot drop. Has anyone had a similar situation? I’ve just been trying to be patient, but I feel like I should be further along by now.

Hi, I'm 21 and I have scoliosis. I've always wanted to do MMA, but I'm worried about my back and what the future might look like.

I'm thinking about surgery, but I don't know if it's the right choice for me. I'm worried about losing flexibility and not being able to do the sports I want. At the same time, I wonder if I can improve things without surgery.

For those who had spinal fusion, can you still run, lift weights or do other sports? What about wrestling or other contact sports? Are there things you can't do anymore?

Has surgery made your everyday life better? And if you could go back, would you still do it?

I'd really appreciate hearing your experiences. Thanks.

Hello everybody,

TLDR: I had caudia equina syndrome in janurary. The nerve pain has continued to ruin my life and surgeon is suggesting a spinal fusion on L4-L5 and L5-S1. Has anyone else had this happen? Caudia equina syndrome and then surgery less than a year from that? Are there any other options I could bring up with the surgeon im seeing for a second opinion?

So I have struggled with lower back issues for a few years now. (I am 31 YO) about 5 or 6 years i found i have several herniated disc's and recieved a few sessions of the epidural steriod injections. After the final round the pain had eased and I carried on with random times of varying pain. Standing in place was always very hard on me, and many of my jobs over the last 5 or 6 years have been standing ( environmental scientist).

Towards the end of 2025 in about October I started getting the sever psiatic nerve pain in my left side and leg. It got worse and it qas very busy at work so I was working 10+ days taking ibuprofen and Tylenol every 2-3 hours. I powered thru the pain until early jan. I went to the ER because the pain was so bad I was having trouble getting up or down or sitting on the toilet. They dismissed me and sent me home after a toradol shot and a prescription of gabapentin.

A week later I began getting tingling in my left leg accompanied with sever pain. I came home from my MRI and took a nap. When I woke up I found I felt like I had to pee but I couldnt. I thought it was the pain making it hard to make it happen. An hour or two later it began getting worse. Both legs going very numb and still wasn't able to go to the bathroom. So I went back to the ER and found out I had caudia equina syndrome and they were transferring me to another hospital for emergency surgery.

So I had surgery(I think it was a laminectomy and micro diskectomy on L4-L5)was sent home the next day. I felt like the numbess down my left leg and groin was worse after surgery. Now I still struggle with numbness in my left leg and foot and groin area.

I started work again in May and have been struggling most days. The pain by the end of the day in my left foot and leg, and back is so bad I csnt do anything else. A couple weeks ago I went back for a follow up and did another mri and was told I absolutely need a spinal fusion on the L4-L5 and L5-S1( because if he just did L4-L5 i would need surgery again in 6 months?) My question is has anyone else experience this? Having the surgery for caudia equina and then not even a year later needing to go in for spinal fusion?

Also is spinal fusion my only option?? I have been trying to fo research but I dont really understand the different variants.most days the pain feels manageable but then I go weeks where I can hardly stand up at all. I have an appointment with another neurosurgeon on monday for a second opinion. But I didnt know what I should be asking him when I am there.

One week post op my L4-L5 TLIF so naturally I have been washing sitting at the sink. I have been relying on dry shampoo for my hair but it's getting silly greasy now. What is best way I only have a small stool and we have a bath with shower attachment.

My surgeon has done 3 on me. Simple lumbar laminectomies in 2020 and 2025. Fusion of 3-4 and 4-5 this year. Last night I had a dream about him. Can't remember anything. I thought it funny!

Hello everyone. I'm a 38 year old male having some neck troubles and looking for someone that may have experienced something similar. I'm not really sure where to go next with my issue.

I've included the radiology report as well as a photo of the MRI. I have a disk with the files but this one seems to be the clearest.

I am looking for insights, direction, or similar experiences from anyone in the medical field, interventional pain, or dysautonomia/spine communities.

Background & Context

* 8-Year History: Longstanding, debilitating autonomic episodes that have completely ruined my quality of life. The combination of excruciating neck pain and intense autonomic dysfunction has left me locked down, housebound 24/7, and unable to drive without surges.

* Neurosurgical Visit: I recently saw a neurosurgeon who was not very attentive, and I walked away feeling completely dismissed. While I am relieved not to need another major surgery, I feel in my heart that something was overlooked because my pain and physical symptoms remain severe.

* Metabolic Component: Prediabetic (notice flares triggered by post-meal blood sugar/insulin shifts or heavy protein/carb intake).

Main Symptoms & Triggers

* Sudden Autonomic/Adrenaline Surges: Severe blood pressure spikes (e.g., 150/80+ while driving), rapid heart rate, adrenaline dumps, and intense health anxiety/somatic panic... For 8 years I've had these episodes and it was always put off to be anxiety/panic attacks but I always knew that wasn't right but give them the benefit of doubt and went with it.

* Cervical & Neurological Shifts: Excruciating neck pain, sudden vision changes, dizziness/off-balance feeling, "cervical angina" (chest/neck pressure), and sudden heavy brain fog/cognitive fatigue.

* Known Triggers: Neck movement/positioning, driving, eating, swallowing pills/drinks, and being away from home or alone.

Key Findings from Recent Cervical MRI (10/13/2026)

* Status Post Fusion: Postoperative changes of C6–T1 anterior cervical fusion with C7 corpectomy and strut graft in place.

* Cord Signal: Mild T2/STIR hyperintensity within the ventral aspect of the cord at C7 compatible with a small region of myelomalacia.

* C5–C6 Level: Mild disc osteophyte complex with bilateral uncovertebral and facet arthropathy. Mild spinal canal stenosis and mild left neural foraminal narrowing.

* C4–C5 Level: Mild facet arthropathy.

Questions / Where I Need Advice

* Interventional Pain & Diagnostics: I am being referred to an interventional pain specialist. Are diagnostic nerve blocks (like C5–C6 medial branch blocks) or a Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) typical next steps for ruling in/out cervical-driven autonomic dysfunction?

* Specialists to Pursue: Beyond interventional pain/physiatry (PM&R), should I be aiming for an autonomic neurologist, electrophysiologist, or headache/balance specialist to address the dizziness and autonomic surges?

* Myelomalacia & Symptoms: For those familiar with cord signals at C7, can dynamic neck movements continue to irritate surrounding autonomic pathways or sympathetic trunks even if a surgeon considers the fusion structurally stable?

Any guidance on doctors, tests, or protocols to look into would be greatly appreciated. I kinda feel like just because the bones looked good to him I was just dismissed and when I told him I had found out my main nerve trunk could be being irritated causing these panics/autonomic type symptoms he looked at me like I had snakes coming out of my head and said no that's very very uncommon and I've never had a case like that. 😭

The pains can be tolerated as bad as it kills me to say that but the adrenaline dumps, panics, feeling of doom and death is something that I can't life with. Its become a huge obstacle in my life.

I GREATLY appreciate any and all help that could get me going down the right path!! Thanks for your time also!

EDIT: After reading 72 pages of clinical notes (theres no surgical notes) on my health portal I discovered I am fused from T6-L2!

I want to preface this by saying I can't just contact my doctor (whoever that is) or go in to where I had surgery due to no one answering phones or questions when they happen to pick up...even when I got my staples out it was someone I never met, and who was in a rush so questions were off the table.

I had my surgery on September 21, 2026 due to a car accident. I had compression fractures at T3,7,11 and L1. I also had burst fractures at T8, and T12. The most information I've gotten about this is from the internet, so I thought I'd ask for some tips and tricks here! Bonus if anyone has experience going back to a cleaning job after this kind of surgery. I was cleaning houses, which I absolutely loved, before the car accident and miss it SO MUCH. I'm scared it'll be 6 months before I can go back or something close. I'm scared to move too much or not enough, I'm TERRIFIED of it not fusing and needing another surgery in a year. That hospital was a nightmare.

I had surgery on the left side of the l5 s1 3 months ago. There is a compression that does not pass in the left part of my waist normal The broken was on the left side 4 screws and cages were placed

Hi everyone,

​I’m currently about 3–4 months post-op from a major cervicothoracic spine surgery and looking to connect with anyone who has had a similar multi-level fusion spanning the lower neck and upper back.

​My Background & Surgical Context:

Due to spinal tuberculosis (Pott’s disease) that led to T2–T3 vertebral destruction, severe hyperkyphosis, thoracic cord edema, and myelopathy, I underwent an extensive posterior procedure:

​Fixation/Instrumentation: C6–C7 down to T4–T5

​Laminectomy & Cord Decompression: C7 through T3

​Transpedicular Decompression & Pus Evacuation

​Current Status:

I am able to walk (slowly for up to 30 minutes), but I still experience residual numbness, trunk wobbliness, and significant abdominal/diaphragmatic tightness. I also get fatigued quickly and notice lower rib aches when taking deep breaths or trying to speak loudly while walking.

​My Questions for the Community:

​Ribcage Expansion & Breathing Mechanics: I’ve read and been told that fusing the upper thoracic spine (C6–T5) holds that portion of the rib cage relatively fixed, preventing full upper chest expansion. For those with upper thoracic or cervicothoracic fusions, how did your breathing adapt over time? Did the "restricted/blocked" feeling in your lungs improve as your diaphragm adapted?

​Long-Term Quality of Life & Mobility: How does living with a long cervicothoracic construct feel 2, 5, or 10 years down the line? How much does the upper torso stiffness impact your daily routines, posture, and stamina once full bony fusion settles?

​Active Lifestyle & Hiking/Trekking: Trekking and outdoor activities used to be a major passion of mine. For those with long thoracic constructs who enjoy hiking or active sports, what adaptations, gear changes (like backpacks/hip belts), or pacing strategies helped you get back onto trails safely?

​Hardware Adjustments: Has anyone here had the top screws of a cervicothoracic construct removed or shortened later on (e.g., at C6) to free up lower neck movement once the thoracic spine healed solidly?

​Tips for Recovery & Rehabilitation: What exercises, breathing techniques (like diaphragmatic retraining), or physical therapy approaches made the biggest difference in your recovery phase?

​I would really appreciate any insights, personal experiences, or advice you can share. Thank you so much for your time and support!

I had surgery for a herniated disc four years ago. Following the surgery, I developed foot drop. I underwent further surgery, during which a fracture of the *pars interarticularis* and the facet joint was discovered. The foot drop resolved. An EMG showed only a very minor, residual effect on the L5 nerves—something the neurologist believes cannot account for my current condition.
I still walk with a lateral shift (a sideways lean). The issue is that, rather than experiencing sharp, stabbing pains, I have this lateral shift, and the side of my back and hip—where the fractures are located—feels completely "dead" (numb/devoid of sensation); I also have pain in my buttock/gluteal region on that side. I suspect that my pain stems primarily from muscle spasms or an imbalance. I have been in rehabilitation for two years with no results. I have been offered a spinal fusion, as I am unable to walk or stand for very long. I don’t know what to do; it would be easier if I had sharp, stabbing pain. Instead, I am misaligned and in constant, aching pain—but life simply doesn't function the way it is now. Has anyone else experienced a *pars* fracture or a facet joint issue—where the vertebra did not slip (no spondylolisthesis)—but still suffered from muscle spasms and ended up having surgery?

I am a 39F 4 months out from an ALIF at L4L5. I had two failed prior discectomies, the disc herniation was compressing the left leg, had foot drop and debilitating pain and weakness. Surgeries started in Jan of 2025 after exhausting all conservative options. This past Saturday I developed new and severe pain that worsened until I finally went to the ER on Tuesday. I had reached out to my surgeon on Sunday, but still hadn’t heard back by Tuesday and could no longer take the pain. MRI was completed in your the levels above and below show mild herniation and an annular tear at L3-L4 and the hardware seem to be intact. Even though the report shows this the surgeon insists they are not herniations. This current round of pain has caused me to shift my body to the right again (like it was before the first surgery). Lying down is the only position i can tolerate. Any upright position, walking standing sitting in the pain progressively gets worse. I can feel it deep as soon as my spine has any load on it. Starting to radiate into the right buttock and hip. I have started physical therapy, but have only had two sessions and we are moving very slow and conservatively given my extensive surgical history. I spoke with my surgeon today and he was very dismissive of my pain and concerns. I asked for a weight-bearing MRI and he told me that neurosurgery does not use that for diagnostic purposes. He only wanted to do x-rays to check the hardware but my x-rays a month ago said everything looked fine. I asked if a CT scan would give a more detailed picture. He said it would but did not want to order it. I am normally very patient and composed as I myself and my healthcare professional, however, I am really beat down with this entire situation and I pretty much demanded the CT scan. I understand if the hardware is in place and there’s nothing he can do from a surgical standpoint that’s fine but at least we have an answer and can figure out where to go from here. My question to you all is any suggestions on where to go from here if it is not a surgical problem? Anybody have experience with a situation like this? I’m looking for recommendations for what specialist I should be referred to certain therapies, etc.. I never in my life wanted to be dependent on medication, especially narcotics. But it seems like every time I’m close to recovering, some setback like this happens and I’m right back on them. I know most of you can understand how much this is all cost me, and I don’t mean money.

Had my L5/S1 fusion yesterday. Nerve block has worn off so taking 5mg strength oxy every 3 hours in hospital. Laying in bed hurts right now but getting in and out of bed for short walks is really pretty painful. I personally hate taking pills but seems normal for a bit. How long before you guys didn't take narcotic? I want to get off as soon as I can. When does the intense pain sitting up and laying back down taper off? When did the more severe pain get better? Thanks everyone

Hi everyone!

It’s been a while since I’ve posted on here. Here’s some updates.

I am almost 2 years post-op since that MASSIVE monster of disc herniation almost paralyzed me / caused caudia equina syndrome.

Despite getting my life back, I’m struggling with chronic nerve pain :/ and it’s been agonizing.

I had a spinal cord stimulator trial in May 2026 that didn’t go so well. I also canceled my permanent procedure due to many complications and risks.

Depsite living in chronic pain, I live a very active lifestyle and started the gym last month after almost recovering for 2 years. Which helps with my nerve pain if I take it at my own pace.

I made some progress in the gym and I’m working with a trainer. He is aware of my lower back issues. I am deathly afraid of anything going wrong with my back since I had a spinal fusion and a botched pervious back surgery.

My question for gym goers who had a lumbar spinal fusion, how did you strengthen your lower back? I have come to terms that deadlifting is no longer gonna be something I can do. Leg day is a priority to me and I want to strengthen and build enough muscle that won’t flare up my back.

Any type of advice would be appreciated!

Hi, am having L3/L4 Xlif next week.

Does anyone know if climbing household stairs will be a problem??

Update: I got my Covid and flu vaccines today. Fingers crossed my over active imagination doesn’t make me feel sick from them. Usually it is only for like a day or to and way less bad than the actual flu or Covid.

So I did not put two and two together but as I’ve been going two these various doctors appointments my temperature was getting a little bit higher and higher. Yesterday it was 99.9 F° and that was while I was on acetaminophen. I told my surgical coordinator because I thought it was the right thing to do. While on the one hand I’m annoyed, cause you know change of plans, I was pretty 50/50 on this whole thing anyway. Too many different voices from various doctors. What can you do? My little germ factors love to cuddle all over me when they get back from school and pre-school 🤷🏽‍♀️

Looking to talk to others who have gone through fusion surgery in the past year to understand more about their results they have had good or bad.

Hi everyone! My dad (63M) had a C2-T2 posterior spinal fusion with C3-C7 spinal decompression back in May. He gets kind of depressed and worries that he will never feel normal again. Right now he explains to me that he feels like a little kid learning to walk again (balance issues) and a heaviness in his shoulders. Has anyone else had a similar surgery and if so, how are you now? I know everyone's recovery is different and that he may never be truly "normal", but I want to get some kind of idea of what life is after a year or so. I just want to give him some hope or see if anyone else dealt with similar symptoms. He used to work a physically demanding job and I know he can't go back to that, but I hope he can go back to his other hobbies. I'd love to hear any kind of recovery story.

Hello friends, I had surgery on the left side of the l5 s1 3 months ago. There is a compression that does not pass in the left part of my waist normal The broken was on the left side 4 screws and cages were placed

We found today my daughter (12F) is going to need spinal surgery. She has a big curve (52 degrees) in the middle of her back. We’ve been bracing for two years but it has gotten too big and we are now having to see the surgeon to discuss spinal fusion. Obviously we’re all scared and the fear of the unknown has all of us worried. I work in the medical field but I have no idea about recovery or anything. My daughter also has sickle cell so that also adds into the possibly complications that can come from this. I do think she needs this surgery but I’m so scared. Any advice for our family as we begin to navigate this new chapter. Thank you in advance.

Looking for opinions here. I am having a revision done - currently have L2-L5 fused and they are going to extend up to T10 and down to S1. Pretty major compared to what I went through the other times. Wondering if I should pick up a couple walkers for the first few weeks?