ALIF PLIF SPINE SURGERY - Life updates after spinal fusion and hip replacements. 

Hi Chris. I’m 21 weeks out from a 3-level fusion in my lumbar I had an ALIF, PLIF AND XLIF. Cuts on 3 sides of my body. Yesterday we had 65 degrees here in Seattle. I put my 4 chihuahua’s in their running stroller and I slow jogged 5.67 miles with them. Now THAT is so so cool! Sue

So sorry to hear you lost your beautiful dog. It is never easy to say goodbye to a bff.

Hi Chris- I am 6.5 weeks out my 4 level ALIF surgery completed over two different days with one day break inbetween. It was approximately a total of 15 hours of surgery, and probably 18 hours of anesthesia. I was in ICU for 5 days and the remaining eight days I was in a regular hospital room. The first week I wanted to die as the pain was so intense in the back with all the staples and drains coming out. I was transferred to an acute rehab here in Philadelphia for 2 additional weeks in which the PT and OT were outstanding. I am home now for 3 weeks and have the following issues. The pain in the lumbar area has decreased drastically and is minimal at this point in which it barely bothers me most of the time..but I am somewhat stiff. Where they cut me in the front I have no pain. I want to mention it took four weeks for my bowels to get back to normal. Before this so-called lumbar reconstruction I had 4 lumbar surgeries in the past in which the last two were nothing more than just a scar tissue clean out. I should have had this fusion two surgeries ago. I've had all going right leg peroneal weakness and pain going into my right ankle and foot for a few years now and it got to the point I had to do something. I went from walking only 1-2 blocks, to a regular cane, to a quad cane, to a walker all in a matter of three months. My right leg issues are worse now than before the surgery, but I was told because of the spacers releasing the pressure on the foramon areas, as I had foraminal stenosis, it's causing the nerves to be inflamed. How long this will take for the leg to become much better than it is now, I do not know. I could barely stand without assistance and wash my face and shave when in the hospital. At this point I can get around with a Rollator or Walker and I'm able to shower myself and shave easily in the bathroom standing up, but leaning against the countertop. I'm having home PT and OT but eventually I will go to outpatient. I don't know when I'll be able to drive again though. As a former light type bodybuilder at 6'2" 210, my body has gone to hell. and I am down to 180. I hope I will improve when I get to outpatient PT as they have so much apparatus to work with. I'm trying to stay positive but it's tough. I know nerves regenerate about 1 inch per month. One more thing. They strapped my shoulders down during the entire surgery process and now I have a right frozen shoulder in the left one is just a little better..and will be having injections in a few weeks to help alleviate the situation. I'm dealing with many fronts right now. Any advice or thoughts on my condition? Best from Philly....Joe

Wow...I am at 11 months after back fusion. The darkest period of my 67 years of living. I wish I would have found your videos earlier. Please keep them going. Thanks

Hi Chris Thanks for sharing, love your positivity. All the best

Keep moving brother Thank you for sharing!!

So glad you are doing much better! I’ve watched a few of your videos and can feel you! I’m at 6 months out from L5 spinal fusion! Shaved bone, and 6 screws! I’m still pretty sore! I completely got off my oxycodone pain meds on to tramadol but have to take twice a day! I don’t feel limited really, I walk my 3 dogs dailey and am on my cat trike a few times a week, but this soreness does leave me depressed, not wanting to engage with people, not interested in cooking for myself etc.! You had mentioned that you had those feelings in one of your earlier videos! I’m sorry you went through that but am glad I’m not alone with these feelings! I get it with family and friends too, they have heard it all, and I want to give a positive report! I used to be the most positive person, I just want myself back! Prayers for you to make it to 50 before your next surgery!😊

Hello Chris Thankyou for your update your looking so well you certainly had me in 😂giggles saying about you being like a sinking ship with one hole getting fixed then another hole pops up just had to jot that down 💞 it & that’s what I was saying last week I wonder what parts going to go next hopefully fingers crossed as long as I keep doing my gentle exercises & walking pool then may not have to have another operation for along time I’m 53 & have my right knee replaced & right hip my left hip is ok I had my 3rd left knee replacement last year reconstruction & tibia & fibia support stems & I have just had spinal fusion 7 weeks ago I’m doing alright I have 4 light exercises the physio team gave me in hospital to do 3x a day and short walks & I’m walking the pool it felt so great getting back in water I have to not twist for 6 months and touch floor and hold anything heavier than 5 lbs but my pain is so much better than before my operation somedays I get a little frustrated as Keep dropping things and I’m much slower than before but building myself up everyday getting stronger & so true my dog passed away 2 years ago I would love to get another but I have put it off due to my operations but hopefully I will be able to have one again eventually Thanks again 💞

Great to know you are improving! Very interesting about owning a dog. Now I know why my little Chorkie helps me😊

Im 69 with an ALIF scheduled, thanks for sharing

Hi! Thank you so much for sharing your story with the world. I’m preparing for an L5-S1 ALIF fusion and your videos have been so incredibly helpful to me. I’m also young-ish (mid 30s) so it’s nice to see another person under the age of 60 that’s gone through this!

Hi Chris, I know your story all too well. Also hello from the burbs. I had my spine fused in 2014 and had my hip replaced in Dec 2022. 7 months later they think I might have an infection in the joint. ☹️ I understand your frustrations and you’re not alone. I hope your hip holds up. Thanks for the video.

Time to move to Florida! I used to laugh at older people who talked about that now I understand why. Glad you are relatively pain free. I am exactly 6 weeks out and doing better but I know it's going to be another 2 months before I can really start doing any real PT stuff. So far walking some and sitting in a hot tub as much as possible. Probably the best purchase I ever made...

Hi, Im sorry about the loss of your dog, I know what it feels like, I can see your heart ache xx Ill have to take a plane ride to my sisters, 8 weeks after my fusion , I really hope it goes well,

Hey --Have you ever heard of Hip Resurfacing? I had one in my right hip in Belgium in 2004. It's perfect and was covered by my insurance. No revisions will be needed. It's metal on metal. Had I got a regular hip replacement -- I would have needed one by now. You may consider that should you need your left done.

Hi Chris thanks for your video

Hey thanks for the videos. They have been really helpful preparing in advance. I'm scheduled for a PLIF the end of September. It is open but I'm told the surgeon does them as minimally invasive as possible. My biggest worry is my dog. We are rarely seperated unless I'm travelling and I've kept my trips short. Finding a responsible sitter for a few weeks is key. I'm hoping only 2 or 3? What do you think? He's a terrier so only 17 lbs. Sorry to hear about your loss. I still think about my previous dog daily. You should get another, when you are ready of course. Cheers Stay healthy and happy!

Hi Christ, were you allowed to walk on the stair right after your fusion surgery? It seems you have a 2 stories house in the previous videos. You look great with all the major surgeries that you had. I wish I could have your good spirit

Sorry to hear about all your pain. I'm a 39 year old male and struggling through it myself. Im 4 months out from a L5-S1 TLIF spinal fusion. I too had "spondy" and suffered nerve pain in my left leg for many years before the surgery and now the nerves are finally calming down but man my joints are hurting. My hips, knees, and mostly left ankle hurt, its a aching pain that rotates from one joint to the other. It is steady in my ankle though and I am worried because its starting to hurt to bare weight on it. I think I went back to work to early and just overdid it. I hope anyway I just got a injection in my ankle and took a little time off to hopefully recover. My question is how long did it take you to build muscle back in your leg and the pain to go away or just get better?

This is such a good explanation of what works and what doesn't. Where did you have surgery?? What doctors did all your surgeries?? I had RHTR in 2007 had great outcome sadly that Dr has retired so had to shop for new Hip guy .Wish it was like buying a car which is much easier.

Interesting - I had a right hip replacement 16 years ago. Curious to know where you went for the fusion but imagine you can’t say. I understand Chicago -- awwwwww so sorry about your dog. So many dogs need homes right now and you can always hire dog walkers when you travel or let good friends help out……and a new dog who needs you will help you forget a bit about that left hip….

Hi bro I had TLIF surgery 8 months back for l5 s1 level I still have thigh and hip pain, how long it take to recover

Hi Chris Which Physicians did your hip revision and spinal fusion?

Can you still feel your hardware in your back? I’m 6 months out from a fusion T3-T9?

I Have my alif surgery on my l4 l5 July 9 2024

Im sara im disabled im so scared im having Alift spinal fusion surgery on lower back Sept 12 2023

I go in for an ALIF in 48 hours!! Terrified!

Get a dog again Chris. Thanks for these talks.