L5-S1 Spinal Fusion Surgery TLIF Recovery (Pars Defect) - 9 Months Post-Op

[@jehntorres6339]

thanks Dylan for the update .. gives hope for us recovering with spinal surgery ..

[@dylanandersen2159]

My pleasure! Like I said, it gets better!!

[@kimstone6764]

I just had my surgery at UCSF in late October, had a fusion from L1 to L5 and pars defect repair, they went through my abdomen for the pars, and then rolled me over to fix my spine, feeling better every day

[@dylanandersen2159]

Good! I am from San Francisco so I am glad you're in good hands. That's a 360-surgery, right? Wow, insane. Hang in there! Every day gets better, then there's some regression, but you're still "way up" over before.

[@genxx2724]

I need the same procedure, L4 to S-1. I’m also in California. May I ask how much the surgeons’ fees were? Thank you.

[@kimstone6764]

@@genxx2724 I have blue shield and blue cross, I paid nothing

[@christopheles7198]

Congratulations brother. Glad you’re feeling well. Enjoy your family.

[@rafeekahamed3732]

Hi dylan.. Myself same 3 week post op now.. Feeling same calf muscle pain and hamstring..but it makes confusing me of nerve pain or muscle ache ... Your videos gives me hope .. Pars defect surgery not cage i have done in my L5 S1 ..

[@terencekwan1471]

Hi Dylan ! Your story is so inspiring. I’m 22 years old and was suffering from grade 1 spondylolisthesis for 3 years. I remember having anxiety attacks everyday and hiding the pain so much from my family. But I finally found the courage and the right physiotherapist to help me deal with it. One thing I am certain now (at least for my condition) is that core exercises and correcting your posture is the way to go ! I am so much stronger now (I even have a six pack) and it’s crazy how I used to not be able to bend my back at all. It really feels liberating to know that you’re on the right path to recovery and I can’t wait to find out how much more my body can recover from this after a complete year of hard work and dedication. Anyway, thank you for the content !

[@dylanandersen2159]

Yes, core exercises are huge! I really enjoyed using an inversion table before realizing that nothing would fix my back other than a surgery (due to bilateral pars defects). I don't ever bend my back now and have just gotten really used to keeping it striaght. Appreciate the super nice comment - hoping you're doing well and you're a beast for having gone through all that. The anxiety and emotional part of all this is so intense.

[@SJ-nl6xl]

To op, did you have the surgery? Or just did core exercises.

[@joepublisher166]

Thanks for posting... and I hope your daughter enjoys the MANY pictures you'll be taking. I, too, am a photo-enthusiast. I'm 68, 6 months out from my S1/L5. I don't mean to contradict your PT experience, but mine was awesome and I STRONGLY advise going to PT and faithfully follow the home exercises they give you. Why do I say this? Well, after surgery, you are forbidden to bend, lift and twist (BLT) for weeks! (Also, previous to your surgery, you've had years of being restricted from full painful movement and no doubt limited your exercising as a consequence). Two things happen. You lose muscle mass AND you lose flexibility. These two issues HAVE TO BE ADDRESSED and PT knows precisely what exercises/stretching needs to be done AND they also know how to progress, starting out slowly in the beginning. I also want to advise your viewers that they should get walking as soon as possible - to help with the healing process and to strengthen your legs. However, START out slowly and build slowly. Learn to listen to your body! Adopt a slow but sure attitude and use common sense. Don't baby yourself, but don't overdo it either. It's a fine balance. The complete healing of your back can take up to 9 months to a year, I'm told. So, don't get ahead of yourself.

[@mooneyrj76]

Hey Dylan. I am 3 weeks out. It is suchva mental game and so easy to feel defeated. Congrats that things are goung well. Spondy def changes your life. Can not wait to get back my active life. Did they go through your stomach or back?

[@dylanandersen2159]

I had a TLIF so that's right through the back. At 3 weeks, I was a wreck. At 6 weeks, I was still a wreck but a bit better. I cried a lot, yelled at my fiancee a lot, felt sorry for myself every five minutes, but I eventually made it. I am taller, stronger, and better than before. IT will get better. Hang in there my friend. I was there and I feel like anyone can be where I am today. 3 months to 4 months was when I started to feel less awful.

[@charanpreet6073]

Hi Dylan, I had my L5- S1 spinal fusion surgery in Jan'22. In April, one of my screws of the implant broke. It made noises but the doctor said it doesn't affect my fusion. It's been 11 months to the surgery now, but the pain back is bad. My sciatica is better though, but the back hurts. Are you able to bend forward after the surgery and do the implants cause any discomfort?

[@dylanandersen2159]

Wow, that's so awful - so sorry to hear. That's wild. Yes, I am able to bend forward but I avoid bending at all costs now. I do a "lunge" squat when picking things up, and have just avoided all bending because I know it's not good for anyone really haha. I am almost 2 years out and am feeling fantastic. Just get tight at night and take an NSAID before bed 3 out of 7 nights a week - other than that, I am back to normal.

[@trustbuilders4542]

Dylan, Thanks for posting your videos, it has been a huge help for me in my recovery process. I 'm 9 months now and I get frustrated with the muscle pain, can't walk right, etc. and I start to think, AM I ever going to be able to walk normally again??! Watching your video gives me hope that I will get back to normal at some point. Thank you again for posting!

[@dylanandersen2159]

So glad to read this! I used KZbin religiously during my recovery / surgery timeline. So glad to have helped.

[@sc9683]

Hi Dylan, How long after the surgey did you feel that you back was as good as new? I’m 12 months and still having issues- I still feel like I am nursing am injured back. Do you think I can still improve from here? xx I hope you are doing well

[@dylanandersen2159]

I am almost 2 years out and am feeling fantastic. Just get tight at night and take an NSAID before bed 3 out of 7 nights a week - other than that, I am back to normal. Video coming soon - subscribe for that! I'd say 1 year was when I felt back to normal !!

[@orpat007]

Hey, Glad to hear your progress. Not being flippant but I would like to know how it impacts sex life. How soon, before you can get back to some vigorous activity? Thanks

[@dylanandersen2159]

It has made that part really difficult - I won't lie. Even 16 months out, that's not easy.

[@sreyanshimukherjee4615]

Thanks for the update Dylan. I can so identify with the muscle aches. I am one month out after my L4-L5 TLIF. Getting out of bed is still a nightmare. But otherwise doing okay. No pain meds needed. My surgeon told me PT is not required. Just walking alone is enough.

[@dylanandersen2159]

Yea, a lot of people would disagree and say PT is "REQUIRED" but honestly, even with good insurance, I am paying to have someone supervise me while I stretch? And the stretches were printed off the internet. No thanks. The aches last for a long time as your muscles get back to where they were before surgery. It's wild. Hang in there. Getting out of bed was tough for me, but the log roll was great obviously ... Now, I get out of bed easily and don't even remember how hard it used to be. It'll get better :)

[@sreyanshimukherjee4615]

@@dylanandersen2159 thanks for the inspiration 😀. By the way, has your surgeon said anything about adjacent level disease later in life? For 35 year olds like you and me, is that a serious threat down the line?

[@dylanandersen2159]

@@sreyanshimukherjee4615 I asked and per the usual surgeon mumbo jumbo, him and his PA said that it's not an issue always. Just keep an eye on it. I've read quite a bit about adjacent level disease and it seems to affect people who didn't have a successful fusion more often than not. Because my injury was due to a pars defect, it would be likely to hope for not any other issues at other levels. I don't have DDD, which seemingly makes adjacent levels become more common.

[@ruston723]

Thanks I feel almost the same I'm a week and 4 days headed to my follow up visit tomorrow. I keep having muscle spasms out of the blue almost put me down your videos have really helped. I was 7 years out from a diskectomy your good until your not still wondering what I've done but hoping for the best thanks again

[@dylanandersen2159]

Yep! Big muscle spasms first few weeks. They gave me Cyclobenzaprine which helped significantly. I am so sorry you're not feeling the best - hang in there, it will get better!

[@vortex21rainz26]

How are u feeling now? I am due for the surgery in December I am so nervous I am scared I have new born baby too I want be with her and grow with her …… hopefully I get better after surgery

[@dylanandersen2159]

I am almost 2 years out and am feeling fantastic. Just get tight at night and take an NSAID before bed 3 out of 7 nights a week - other than that, I am back to normal.

[@BloominOnion1]

Glad you've recovered reasonably well. I'm going down the rabbit hole now.....injured my back learning some new unicycle stunts and it's been hurting for months. Mildly degenerative disc L5S1 w/ mild stenosis, according to MRI. Today it's been rough but other days are manageable. All the best to you and your young family.

[@dylanandersen2159]

I am almost 2 years out and am feeling fantastic. Just get tight at night and take an NSAID before bed 3 out of 7 nights a week - other than that, I am back to normal. Video coming soon - subscribe for that!

[@kutcherogviews5276]

3 months post op I have muscles pain in my right leg some neves pain I don’t take any pain killers I do have prescriptions for multiple vitamins that helps to regenerate neves etc.. for now I can say that I am gradually getting better but yeah spine fusion is no jokes takes time to heal and most importantly your mind set needs to be rock. Swimming helps me a lot i swim at least 3 times a week for minimum of 1 hours ( about 3km per week) I prefer sea water than pool cause sea water helps to develop endurance swimming is great for back muscles and the whole body, good posture for people having muscles, neves pain try to ask your surgeon for vitamin that will helps regenerate instead of pain killers and also try swimming. I know all of us will getting better soon stay focus never give up. Merry Christmas to you all T.C

[@Polecat-qz5om]

Im 6 months out feeling stuck. :(

[@dylanandersen2159]

How are you feelign now?

[@londahamrick4634]

My daughter is 12 and a very active athlete. She will be undergoing a L5tos1 fusion soon due to a bilateral defect. We are nervous but know we need to fix her foundation as the cracks were too big for repair. We don’t know if this will be through back or abdominal area yet. Obviously a lot of movement is good- we are definitely believers that movement is good unless broken then rest but at what point were you given green light to bend or twist? We are told since she has no other underlying issues she will heal well and prob quicker than older patients due to her youth. Congratulations on new baby and keep moving!💪

[@dylanandersen2159]

Thank you Londa. Did she get the surgery yet? 12 years old? Wow. What a warrior. She will get through it and heal fast, she's so good! I found out last year that I had thyroid cancer, which caused the bilateral pars defect (due to low calcium in my bones). I will post a video next month for a "2 year" update.

[@londahamrick4634]

@@dylanandersen2159 yes she did! October 2022. She had a bilateral fusion with synthetic bone. She is healing well. The first week was tough but she was up walking next day and hasn’t missed a beat. She is now 12 weeks out and hoping to return to competition volleyball in 6 more weeks. So far X-rays showed hardware in place and she’s healing. That’s crazy- so glad your doing well after cancer diagnosis. So did you know this when you diagnosed with Pars? I need to share her story. I have been documenting just haven’t posted it. She will begin PT this upcoming week. The cracks were too large for a repair.

[@nancyd5576]

Seeing this for the first time. I am only 4 mos out from surgery and in my late 60's. No pain meds since day 2, no extra strength tylenol anymore.....actually since about 3 weeks out; doing super well and agree with the muscle issues. I have only done 2 weeks with PT and actually find that challenging because of the muscle weakness from doing basically nothing much for 13 weeks except for a little walking. I am so happy to have had the surgery and now walking pain free. It was truly a blessing. I cannot fathom what would have happened to me, had I agreed to continue with the horrible injections in my back that was intended to block the pain. OMG, I could have ended up in a wheelchair because hiding the pain was enabling me to damage myself more!!

[@00Broy]

Good to hear this uplifting update Dylan. I am almost 10 weeks out from an L5 S1 PLIF for grade 1 spondy and I still feel like crap. I am 38 and in excellent shape and health. You think you will bounce back quickly and then you just don’t. The surgical pain has resolved but I generally have all the same sciatic pain I had pre-surgery throughout the day. It has slowly improved over time but I still feel worse than the day I walked into the hospital which is hard to deal with. It is so difficult to not feel defeated going through a recovery like this. You question your progress, you question whether you fixed the underlying problem, you question why you even had surgery. Your videos gave me some hope for the future that things will improve. All the best.

[@dylanandersen2159]

I hope the best for you Brian. I never had recurring sciatic pain from my surgery but I instead had tons of muscle and leg pain (bone-based pain, really) that never went away until like month 7 or 8 I think. I had to be patient. I gave up many times. I would be patient, breathe, and know that there's nothing that can be done even if your surgery is to fail at this moment. You have to go through the process - whether we like it or not. I just recently was diagnosed with thyroid cancer through a routine blood test and am now 3 days out from a major surgery removing my thyroid and lymph nodes with a huge scar in my neck. It has helped resolve some of my bone pain (due to high calcium levels) so you never know what's going on. Last two years have not been easy for me. BUT, just stay positive my man. It's all we can do.

[@00Broy]

I am glad to hear that you leg pain continued to improve. So sorry to hear about your cancer that is just a bitch. You can’t catch a break. But glad you caught it early and are taking care of it. You should be proud of yourself for soldiering through all these tough times. It takes a lot of strength. And there are better times ahead I can assure you!

[@jeanschricker6841]

Is it normal to feel like you're moving well and then the pain with movement returns? Yesterday I increased my walk time and was standing more. I had a rough night and for the first time in a week or so needed a pain med. I am 4.5 weeks out, 60 years old.

[@1suhailsiddique]

Happy to hear about your progress in recovery, Dylan. I have been watching your videos ever your since pre op time. I am also struggling with the exact same problem, bilateral pars defect and less than grade 1 spondylolisthesis. Although my back pain is chronic like 5-6 years old and I am also hla b27 positive. But 4 months back I went to a Rheumatologist to know if I had ankylosing spondolytis but my MRI shows no symptoms of that however there were psuedo bulge and herniation and this pars defect. In the past 4 months, I have been taking nsaids and pain killers. I never ever had severe acute pain but my back always hurts while sitting and I am in a sitting job, so can't really avoid that totally. In the past 2-3 weeks, i sometimes had very mild leg aur hip pain and I know this is sciatic pain but it is very manageable. I do exercises daily (only flexion), Extension exercises makes my back and legs achy. I want to know, is this how your problems also progressed and eventually you had to go for surgery? I know I never had a complete pain free day in past 4 months but I also never was in a situation where I had to struggle in walking, sleeping, sitting or other activities. With my condition, do I also have to seriously consider a fusion surgery as an option or as long as my pain is manageable I should only focus on exercises, PT and medications? Thank you in advance!

[@dylanandersen2159]

So much to respond to here but I am not a doctor so I can't answer most of that. I am so sorry you're struggling and dealing with this though. I will say, that my neurosurgeon told me that the only way to fix a pars defect and the subsequent spondy is a fusion. He told me it was not IF but WHEN. He said sure you can medicate and manage - at the time, ibuprofen + tylenol made 100% of the sciatic pain go away, but eventually it stopped. And one day, I could barely pee which made me think cauda equina. The recovery for fusion is a year. An entire year of your life spent in a different kind of pain and a recovery lifestyle. I am glad I did it and only you can decide what's best for you but I told myself "When the coping ability for my pain is no longer good enough, that's when I will fuse". I'm happy and glad I did it. Hang in there, keep reading, keep listening to your body.

[@1suhailsiddique]

@@dylanandersen2159 thanks for your reply. I know surgery is the way to correct it but given my condition I think I can wait and see how my body is behaving. As you said, when the coping gets difficult then u should fuse, I think I am still pretty much painless for most of the time in a day and when the pain is there it's mild and I am getting responses from both the medicines and exercises when in pain. So yes, I am waiting, watching and researching all the stuff for spondy and most importantly trying to maintain a healthy life.. Once again thank you for sharing your experiences.

[@dylanandersen2159]

@@1suhailsiddique I wish you the best. Especially this time of year. Hang in there - there is more life to live, I promise you. Stay positive!!

[@aviralamar4408]

Are you able to go to the gym and lift weights?

[@dylanandersen2159]

Yes! 2 years later, I can do most things - I avoid heavy lifting because it's not worth the risk, would rather do other things: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m2jXnXWZfp6UhbM

[@shrikantmosalgi2056]

Has pars defect healed completely please reply

[@dylanandersen2159]

Pars articularis'es were removed during fusion and my rods/screws now stabilize my spine. Hope that answers your question.

[@rafeekahamed3732]

It means that laminactemy with fusion

[@c762x39]

I’m due for my minimal invasive TLIF surgery for L3-L5 next week, robot assist. I was wondering if you had the same procedure or if you had the traditional surgery? Also, silly question but can you feel the implanted rods with your hands? 🤔😉

[@dylanandersen2159]

Thank you for asking! Not a silly question. I had a TLIF as you know, but it was not minimally invasive. Because of the vertebrae movement (spondy), they had to open me up, 6 inches long, right down the bottom of my back. The scar is just now kind of going away and fading. I wish I had minimally invasive. I notice ortho surgeons typically do that and neurosurgeons typically open you up. I don't know the data on which is more effective, I think they're all worthwhile, you know? Again, not a doctor lol. But no, I can't feel the "Hardware" (rods and titanium screws) with my hands but when I lay down, it feels like I'm lying on a TV remote sometimes, but I get used to it. Sometimes, I feel the hardware touch the skin and kind of "pinch" if I'm twisting or awkwardly moving. That's when I stop doing whatever it was I was doing and go back to spinal hygiene. I wish you the best of luck! Stay in touch.

[@sophiefortune6038]

how big was your scar? i’m due the same surgery soon!!!

[@dylanandersen2159]

Six months vertically. It's pretty gnarly, I won't lie, but I am so glad I did it.

[@lichellemulder490]

Hi there I'm a 'newby', only 5 weeks after my spinal fusion. Some days are good, some are really bad. I have dizzy spells and hallucinations. My poor dog is sleeping her life away with me. I'm in bed, then take a walk, then a wash of the body. I am not showering as yet, until my stitches are happy. I have no appetite, I become frustrated, depressed, seriously happy - I feel schizophrenic. Is all normal or semi normal? No no no appetite. Surgery was 4 hours. Today I'm so dizzy and nauseous, I'm drinking Bovril tea.

[@Newchannel9o6]

Hi Lichelle, i had a spinal fusion too on june 1st and im going thru the same thing

[@phildavis1825]

I have exactly the same condition and am contemplating a TLIF and was told after 12 weeks i could most likely return to golf, i find that hard to believe, which puts me off somewhat.

[@dylanandersen2159]

I think it's possible, but for me, by 12 weeks, I was finally able to sit in a chair for 6 hours (at work).

[@mindakahn9964]

I’m glad you’re doing so well. I’m seven week out. About to start PT. I hope I do as well as you.

[@dylanandersen2159]

Minda, I wish you the best of luck!!! PT for me was a waste of money, I just worked hard on my own. Lots of laps around the office and moving constantly. "Motion is lotion". You will get there. Also Ibuprofen saved my life after the 9 month mark :)

[@mindakahn9964]

@@dylanandersen2159 I hurt more after PT. I’m insured for 30 visits. They have me planned for 10. My PT was a contract player. I saw her 3 times. Now I get to start with someone else. My primary care physician retired last year. A doctor I had for over 20 years. Now I’m seeing medical care in a new light. I fear for the future. Isn’t ibuprofen supposed to be bad for your fusion? No anti inflammatories. Thank you for your good wishes.

[@mindakahn9964]

@@dylanandersen2159 You’re right about the PT. Too much too soon. Quitting today should be interesting.

[@gratuitousfootnote1183]

Hey mate, hope your recovery is going well. You said you were a teacher. May I ask how you coordinated the timing of your surgery / recovery with your teaching gig? Thanks

[@dylanandersen2159]

I am almost 2 years out and am feeling fantastic. Just get tight at night and take an NSAID before bed 3 out of 7 nights a week - other than that, I am back to normal. Video coming soon - subscribe for that! I was able to coordinate everything with just getting a sub/going online for COVID - I teach college so it was easy. Can't imagine elementary/middle school.

[@HypotheticalX]

Excellent update man 👍👍👍 3.5 months post L4-5 fusion, I’m still in considerable amount of pain. I can do simple activities with moderate pain for about 2hours at a stretch but after that I have to lay down. And my back still feels super week. Like it has no strength at all. Recently I have started going my job full time. It’s hard but somewhat manageable if I can lay down 2-3times in the couch. It feels like I’m not going anywhere at all if I compare it to 1-2months before. Is it normal??

[@dylanandersen2159]

Thank you man. Yeah I probably felt 'better' truly at the 5 month mark. Hang in there. When the bone starts really fusing is when I felt better. I still deal with very manageable pain from sitting. But when I limit my sitting, my body feels great. Motion is lotion. Sitting is the worst thing post-fusion. I have a desk job and yeah, no way around it. Tried a standing desk and just got fatigued going back and forth. I think the remedy is time. And I'm not a doctor but your recovery sounds very normal. Wait for the 5, 6 month mark. I bet you'll feel even better!

[@HypotheticalX]

@@dylanandersen2159 thank you so much for your generous reply. You gave me hope and the mental strength to go forward..

[@yorstidilonex9005]

@@HypotheticalX how are you?

[@HypotheticalX]

Still no improvement. Did a CT scan couple of days ago and it turns out my bones are not fusing well. Not even 30% fused. Don’t know why.

[@dylanandersen2159]

@@HypotheticalX I am so sorry! I haven't had imaging done since six months (about to hit one year in 2 weeks), but I just was diagnosed with hyperparathyroidism and thyroid cancer. Unlucky. That's definitely attributing to my shit bone health. We'll see how this goes. Maybe look into your blood calcium and PTH levels? It could be a bone health issue caused by a thyroid issue? Just a thought.

[@debbieseithel4621]

I am 3 weeks out from the same surgery, the glute muscle pain is horrific. No surgical pain …

[@dylanandersen2159]

Hang in there! It gets better.

[@00Broy]

How you doing Dylan?

[@dylanandersen2159]

Amazing!!! My back is where it was years ago and I feel nearly normal again. Was just diagnosed with thyroid cancer and had a major surgery to deal with that so that’s the latest medical saga but I’m happy to be here! I’d say my back is 95% back to normal.

[@David-id4ps]

New update please

[@dylanandersen2159]

I am almost 2 years out and am feeling fantastic. Just get tight at night and take an NSAID before bed 3 out of 7 nights a week - other than that, I am back to normal. Video coming soon - subscribe for that!

[@Jplayin]

Thank you

[@dylanandersen2159]

I am almost 2 years out and am feeling fantastic. Just get tight at night and take an NSAID before bed 3 out of 7 nights a week - other than that, I am back to normal. Video coming soon - subscribe for that!

[@johnfallon7206]

Hi Dylan, glad you're doing well, I had spinal fusion on 4 levels and a decompression 9 months ago, unfortunately it was not a success ,I have about 10 percent of power in one leg and am using 2 crutches to get about, still in a lot of pain and now on meds ,my back had to be broken in a few places because it had self fused because I was to long on the waiting list 10 years ,my surgen said I have nerve damage, my prayers go out to all who are in pain and have to go through this

[@genxx2724]

Where do you live, where there was a waiting list?

[@johnfallon7206]

@@genxx2724 ireland

[@genxx2724]

@@johnfallon7206 Young people in the US are demanding socialized medicine. They have no idea people have to wait for treatment, and people are denied treatment due to age. They’re so self-centered they wouldn’t even care about the age-related denials.

[@davebitton6624]

I live in Wisconsin, US, and have been trying to get a back surgery for 9 months now. Healthcare has been ruined here. 🤦

[@yorstidilonex9005]

Hey Dylan update us if possible! Thank you

[@dylanandersen2159]

I am almost 2 years out and am feeling fantastic. Just get tight at night and take an NSAID before bed 3 out of 7 nights a week - other than that, I am back to normal. I am going to make a "2 year" video next month when I hit two years :)

[@dylanandersen2159]

Subscribe for that!

[@shrikantmosalgi2056]

Are you bending now

[@dylanandersen2159]

Yep! No restrictions.