Connect
Discussion
Comment receiving replies
Replies to "How long after the fusion did you start having pain L5-S1? I’m 76, and for some..."
Spine Health | Last Active: Apr 2 11:11am | Replies (17)
Comment receiving replies
How long after the fusion did you start having pain L5-S1?
I’m 76, and for some unknown reason, My lumbar region look like a bomb went off in it. My surgeon wants to fuse L3 down to S1!! Will I be able even to pick up something off the floor after that?
Thanks!
Replies to "How long after the fusion did you start having pain L5-S1? I’m 76, and for some..."
Connect
Fusion of L3-L5 was in 2016; fusion of L2-L3 was before that, which left me fused from L2-L5. I started having steroid injections at L5-S1 within about 2 or 3 years, indicating that there was increasing arthritis at that location. When you say your "lumbar region look like a bomb went off in it" you are describing the results of a bone scan? I had a bone scan, using technitium, about 2 years ago and it showed significant arthritis at L5-S1 and at the R S-I joint.
Right now I'm reading a book recommended on this forum: Back in Control: A spine surgeon's roadmap out of chronic pain, written by David Hanscom, a spine surgeon. I haven't read enough of it to comment on its content, but it might be worth your while to read this before you move ahead with surgery.
My very best wishes to you.