Backache :: 3 Weeks Post Double ALIF

Had this op performed by Mr Reece at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Glasgow just over 3 weeks ago. I have 8 screws and two cages in my disc space packed with synthetic bone grafts and injected with bone marrow taken from my vertebrae.

I was up walking the same day, baby steps buy nonetheless, walking. I was in hospital for 4 days (I would have been out earlier if my bowels had moved sooner).

The first 2 weeks were pretty uncomfortable. Very sore to move as the front stomach wound was very swollen and tight. Once this initial period passed things became easier.

I can now get up from lying in bed or on the couch without much pain, it's still there in the background but not all controlling.

I'm walking everyday, not far but doing this a number of times.

I'm taking this recovery very slowly as this is last go at resolving my back pain after having two previous surgeries on the same site (S1-L4).

Only sitting for very brief spells, not driving yet due to wound, plus sitting does bring on the pain. I have had some nerve pain down my left leg, probably every few days or so but it settles after some meds.

I am still on my nerve pain meds as the damage from previous surgeries won't be fixed by the op. Also still on Dihydrocodeine 60mg X 4 daily but I'll try and reduce these over the coming months.

Would I say that it's been successful? Yes! I have greatly reduced back pain which was my dominant pain source.

It is a major decision to have this op but I had been through all conservative methods previously which didn't assist at all.

Hopefully things will continue to improve over the coming weeks and months. I'll report back over this timescale.