Spinal Stenosis

joolzy

Heading back in to spinal stenosis territory….a successful op 8 years ago,the pain has returned. Had steroid injections which worked in my left leg,but still pain in my right leg.Am due a spinal fusion in 3 months….any help please?

Thanks,

Joolz.

quinceorange24

Hi @joolzy , If I could help you I would.

I've scoliosis of the upper and lower spine and I've had any treatment.

joolzy

Bless you,fanx.

Holly_Scope

Hi @joolzy it sounds good that you've got something coming up to hopefully improve things for you. I'd love to know how you get on if you don't mind sharing with us. 🙂

joolzy

Yes,I certainly will Holly.

MCMikey

I don't have spinal stenosis, but have had a L5/S1 lumbar fusion (rods and metalwork), this 30 years ago. For about 20 years my low back was pretty good (relative to how it was before). I could swim, walk (mountains), cycle and some light running and just about sit 4 hours on a plane, but the fragility of my back was still there. I still couldn't sit doing a full-time job, but overall I did feel a lot better and could do a lot more.

The operation itself went well, with very little pain afterwards (that was a new bruising type pain which was different to 'my usual pain'), and this settled down in about a month. In that time, due to the lack of pain I'd occasionally do things too quickly and my back would let me know. My advice is go slow, build up slowly so it's not to aggravate your back while it's healing. But in general, keep moving don't just sit in front of the telly or lie in bed.

My biggest mistake I believe after I had my initial operation was not using my back once the initial operation pain had died down (so after about four to six weeks). It had been drilled into me to keep my back straight and bend the legs at all times. Whilst this is good advice for picking up and lifting anything heavy, I was doing this for everything I picked up, even picking up a coin from the floor, also standing and moving very rigidly too. In the short term this is ok, but I was like this for years.

If I knew then what I know now, I'd use in a sensible way (bend) my back more and use my body in a more relaxed way. I'd also be more diligent in doing stretching and strengthening of my back exercises instead of just relying on activities.

Your condition may require otherwise, check with your specialist.

joolzy

Thank you! I had surgery for stenosis 8 years ago and it's only in the last year the pain has returned. I had steroid injections a few weeks ago which has pretty much sorted the pain in my left leg but the right leg is still painful. I'm still able to work (with the aid of Tramadol ha!), it's an active job so I'm not often sitting down,though obviously I've had to do more sitting of late.Really appreciate your thoughts….it's a physically and emotionally draining road….

joolzy

I really appreciate your input and I'm glad you are doing good….I'm bricking it about the fusion!!

MCMikey

Best wishes, of course hope all goes well.

Not easy, try and be as calm and relaxed as you can until the day and try and get as fit and strong as you can which will help recovery.

Lastly, and this will depend on your quality of life and pain right now plus the likelihood of it getting x% worse in future, you can always cancel or postpone the op. I don't want to put unnecessary doubt into your mind and you shouldn't be agonizing on the decision, just give it a bit of thought.

chris2104

hi I have spinal stenosis and finally due in June a decompression of L4/L5 and L5/S1, I have had this in the past on the left side and was warned it will return on the right side next.

Well wow it returned on the right side with a vengeance.

Trying to get any pain management has been a major fight with doctors not wanting me on tramodol or cocodamol which I was already on for osteoarthritis of the knee.

They took me off both and put me onto the patches, then arranged me to see a specialist about pain in July, yet this whole time I am in so much pain it feels as though the doctors don’t care and expect you to put up with pain even if it wrecks your home life and mental health.

I am still working and keeping as fit as possible, I am wondering if anyone else feels the same regarding how we are treated regarding pain and how 1 person can be treated with exactly the same issue as I have within 12 weeks, yet I had had to wait for 10 months just to see a consultant with each planned appointment simply cancelled their end with a due to unforeseen circumstances letters.

I have since managed to go private which is why I am finally getting the operation done in June, without this I would still be waiting to see t he nhs consultant which would more than likely have been cancelled again for the forth time.