Category: Back Pain | Author: Stefano Sinicropi | Date: December 10, 2025
Your spinal surgery will likely be painless thanks to careful administration of anesthesia or nerve blocking medications, but don’t expect your entire road to recovery to be without some discomfort. Some pain is absolutely normal and should be expected as the body works to recover from the trauma of surgery, but when can you expect this discomfort to fade?
Depending on your procedure, you’ll likely have some discomfort for weeks or months following your surgery, but will you still be feeling the effects of the operation a year after it is complete? We discuss whether it’s normal to have back pain a year after your surgery in today’s blog.
Back Pain One Year Post-Op
We’re going to be talking in generalities here, because it would be irresponsible to talk in absolutes when it comes to spine surgery because the process is so individualized for each person. No, it is likely not normal to have back pain a year after a lumbar decompression procedure, whereas some pain may still persist a year after a complex, multi-level spinal fusion procedure. Your recovery timeline and your pain expectations should be explained by your surgeon prior to your operation so you can get a better understanding of what your road to recovery might look like.
With all that said, in general, it is not normal to have back pain a year after your procedure. Pain typically suggests that there is still an unresolved issue in the area. One year after your procedure, your body should be plenty healed from the trauma of surgery, so pain may suggest that the surgery failed, a new issue has developed or something is still amiss in your back. If you are dealing with pain a year after your procedure, it’s worth reconnecting with your care team to get to the heart of the issue.
Now, with that said, it may be perfectly normal to have some mild spinal discomfort a year after your operation. Surgery isn’t going to be able to turn back the clock 50 years and restore your spine to its healthiest form. For example, a spinal fusion works by fusing two adjacent vertebrae together to limit painful movement, so you may find that your spine is a little stiffer or less flexible once the procedure is complete. Most people would gladly trade this loss in flexibility for a decrease in pain, but there may be times when your back is a little uncomfortable as a result of this lost mobility. It’s likely quite normal to have some discomfort years after your surgery has been complete, but we wouldn’t describe this sensation as painful.
If you are dealing with pain a year after surgery, or your discomfort is starting to intensify, consult with your treating surgeon to see what you can do to address the issue. There’s a good chance that some conservative techniques like posture improvements, exercise and physical therapy can help alleviate this discomfort, but your surgeon can also provide more hands-on care if it’s needed.
For more information on what is normal and what isn’t after your spine surgery, reach out to Dr. Sinicropi and the team at Midwest Spine & Brain Institute today at (651) 430-3800.
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