Major spinal surgery

Quite important should have said I had 2 titanium bolts inserted and decompression to release nerve

It takes around a year as you have had a spinal fusion and a decompression. It is the fusion which takes the longest.

Good luck.

I had titanium bolts and screws fitted in my lower back about 9 years ago, my relief from pain was almost immediate but getting back to full fitness did take up to 9 months or so, now I’m able to do everything I could before my back problems started.

In my, admittedly limited experience, i.e. straightforward and routine surgery x 2 I found the orthopaedic docs were hopelessly unrealistic about how long full recovery would take. This can be very dispiriting, don’t give up, the truth is recovery will take as long as it takes for YOU, we’re all different. Good luck!

Oh thanks ladies that's very reassuring
I did a lot yesterday and back aching quite bit today maybe I am Trying do too much to quickly?

I do agree grannyqueenie my surgeon did say could be 6 months but I was t warned about leg pain that god that has gone I still walk in funny way kind of wooden? However am now walking without stick manage stairs but difficult am getting there!
Having arthritic knees doesn't help!

I had bolts and screws in my spine about 25 years ago, when they were first on offer (in France, the UK weren't upon to speed) and it worked well. Now it's wearing out a bit, but so am I!

That sounds serious, Celebgran. TG I don't have any experience of such a thing, but wish you well.
Except when I was having physio after my hip op. there was a young woman there who was still lying on her back after having a broken spine, and was learning to raise her legs.

Well done to you Celebgran. We are impatient with ourselves, because when younger, tended to heal much more quickly. But, slow and steady wins the race, so good luck to you on your journey.

Thanks miepl if does me 25 years won't grumble will be 88

Thanks other ladies.

Gosh I was so relieved not to be paralysed or incontinet as if went wrong could have been?

I have improved so much stopped morphine now and can do lot more, just got be patient

Sounds like you are at the frustration stage! You are miles better than you were but not better yet. This is the moment to be careful and realistic and in too much of a hurry. Be nice to yourself.

Pleased it went well, celebgran. Take it easy and be patient!

are you having any physio treatment or do you do any "core" muscle strengthening exercises. Keeping your abdominal muscles strong can make a huge difference to back problems.

Sorry, meant to say that most surgeons are way too optomistic about recovery times after surgery as they're not really concerned or involved with rehabilitation apart from the periodic out patient appt's and they tend to view "success" from a purely surgical persepctive rather than looking at levels of disability and aspects of quality of life ie pain.

Agree miswoosie yes had 4 lots of back physio was v good gave me confidence to use gymn equipment as physiotherapist was brilliant did Pilates and relaxation too she kept on about core muscles too. I must carry on with that.
Also go acquacsie once a week.
Thanks ladies ever so helpful read your comments.

celebgran- yes! Simple walking is really good for core muscle strength as is, as you say, pilates. Once upon a time people used to be "prescribed" corsets for back problems. Funny how things change. In the 80's people were kept on bed rest for about 2 weeks following a hip replacement and probably spent about 6 weeks on an acute hospital ward. Can you imagine that now? That bed would have had about 8 different hip replacement patients through it in that length of time nowadays.

I was sent home after 2 days but it was too early I could do stairs for about week? We've gone other extreme now!