recent lower back surgery

[cindalot]

how long can i expect pain in my right leg and will i recover all my streghth in my leg? how long can i take pain medcine without becoming addicted?

[squirtatious]

Hi cindalot, I had fusion surgery with instrumentation and several other procedures done at l5/s1 on feb 22nd. For the first 4 weeks, my leg weakness and nerve pain was just a faded memory. Then the leg weakness began to come on here and there and the leg pain returned. It can take 18-24 months for nerve reguventation to occur. Its a slow process so I have hope for my nerve growth still. I am ten weeks post op and have weaned off all pain meds except percocets. Once this prescription is done, then I'm officially done with this script as well. I have a tens unit that doesn't really seem to help much but I continue to wear it anyway for whatever small relief it does bring. As for your leg strength, u kinda just have to wait and see. Keep us posted on ur progress if u like, and take care.:)

[Kalvin]

The recovery really depends on the person and the type of procedure, what type of surgery did you have? Some people are in pretty good shape after a few months and with others it can take up to a year. How long ago was you're surgery? It's important to be as active as you can, are you up and walking much? Wearing your brace? As far as regaining the strength in your leg, some of that depends on how long it was bothering you before you had surgery. I let mine go way to long and I got most of the strength back, although I do have some permanent numbness.  When you go to P.T. they'll help you regain the strength in your leg.

As far as the drugs, if your taking them as prescribed and not abusing them you should be okay. As you begin to feel better, you'll find that you need less, and it should get the point were you don't need them at all. At the end, you might want to taper your pain meds down, so that your body gets used to not having them again. You doctor could probably help you with this, if you think you need help. I've had a couple surgeries and I've taken my share of pain meds, and I've never had any trouble getting off of them.

Take Care