Is it normal to have nerve pain after spinal fusion?

The formation of scar tissue near the nerve root (also called epidural fibrosis) is a common occurrence after back surgery—so common, in fact, it is so common that it often occurs for patients with successful surgical outcomes as well as for patients with continued or recurrent leg pain and back pain.

How long does nerve pain last after spinal fusion?

Sometimes this is a temporary condition as the nerve root or roots take time to heal. This can take days to weeks. If the pain is still there after 3 months, it is unlikely to improve on its own.

What helps nerve pain after back surgery?

In the early postoperative period (3 to 12 months), medications such as Neurontin may help limit back pain or leg pain, and exercises can help free up the nerve. Beyond this time period, pain management techniques may help the patient cope with the back pain or leg pain.

Can spinal fusion cause nerve damage?

Spinal surgery involves working carefully around fragile nerve structures, such as nerve roots and the spinal cord. It is possible to bruise or cut a nerve during a surgical procedure, although modern operative safeguards are employed to help prevent this from happening.

Can I lay on my stomach after lumbar fusion?

Stomach Position After back surgery, it is recommended to either sleep on your back or your side. Sleeping on your stomach is not recommended as this increases the pressure on your backbones and the disc spaces.

What are the side effects of spinal fusion?

In addition, nerve damage is a rare, but possible long term effect of having a spinal fusion. Blood clots, bleeding, and pain at the surgical site are potential complications of spinal fusion, according to the AAOS .

Can I have a MRI after spinal fusion surgery?

Usually you can have an MRI 6 weeks after your surgery, provided that all the devices are MRI safe. Typically with fusion, all the implanted hardware is MRI safe.

What are the symptoms of L4 and L5 nerve damage?

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What are the restrictions after spinal fusion?

Activity Restrictions After Spinal Fusion Surgery. During the early stages of recovery from spinal fusion surgery, some basic activity restrictions must be followed: No bending. Bending at the knee and hips are fine, but no bending the back (spine). No lifting. Lifting anything that weighs more than a gallon of milk—about 8 pounds—is not advised.