Spinal Fusion Recovery after TLIF surgery: CT scans & Xray reports are good: 3 and 1/2 months post op

Today, I met my specialist neurosurgeon Dr Choi at Wooridul Spine Centre here in Dubai to discuss the results of the CT scan and xray reports to see if I was actually on the mend – and that the spinal fusion surgery had worked.



I had the CT scans and x-rays done yesterday, and frankly, I was quite nervous.  What if the L4 & L5 vertebrae had not started to fuse – as was the purpose of the surgery? What if I had problems with the fusion? What if there was a misalignment? What if the rods and screws had somehow slipped? What if I had forgotten, and had bent too much, or lifted? What if?

CT Scans & X-ray to check interbody fusion

Dr Choi took his time to share the CT scans and the x-ray reports on the large tv screen and rather happily replied that the prognosis was indeed very good. The 'inter body fusion' as he called it had progressed properly, and the scans showed that the healing had begun. It was such a relief. So many things could have gone wrong. There are so many statistics out there that there are quite a few cases where the intended fusion does not take place – and that's what they call FBSS – failed back surgery syndrome.

The Wooridul Spine Centre Team for Spine Surgery

So, hats off to the Wooridul team of surgeons, the aftercare with the physiotherapy department – I am so much better. Thanks to the successful surgery by Dr Choi and Dr Shim, I am walking straight, the symptoms that I had originally gone in for have all disappeared, and I am on the mend. It takes around a full year for the fusion to complete, I believe, so I need to be mindful of that, and not push it. I still need to be careful, but, yes, I am a 100% better, and am on the mend. Dr Choi did mention, that I would need an annual x-ray routine as follow up.


I have been prescribed a few more sessions of physiotherapy – just to get core strength, which I know is pretty weak at the moment.

Pain after spinal fusion is common

I have to add here, that over the last couple of weeks, I do get occasional bouts of pain, and that's usually right after I forget not to sit for long periods, or have had a long and uncomfortable driving session. This is not the lower back pain I used to have before the surgery – it's more like incision site pain, it feels like fusion site is protesting. It's a stabbing pain, it is not intense or unbearable, but it does hurt.

Sitting is bad for you after spine surgery (or anytime)

Seriously, sitting is the new smoking, and I really believe that, because, now, I can feel my body, or rather my lower back, protesting when I sit for too long. I try not to sit for long, I walk around or stand up at work, I take breaks more often. I am guessing a long haul flight right now would not be that good for me.

For those who are considering TLIF surgery for their lower back, my word of advise is, if you have a good surgeon you can trust, go ahead. It really works, if and when the surgery is a complete success, and I am living, walking around straight and tall, pain free to prove it!

Please share this with anyone considering spinal fusion or back surgery...