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I am contemplating S1-L5 lumbar fusion. Outcomes thoughts

Spine Health | Last Active: Jun 15 10:41am | Replies (47)
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@heyjoe415

Hi BeBold, and thanks for your comments.

We have to be very selective in choosing Drs and in this case, ortho surgeons. We recently moved and I had to find new Drs. I'm almost 70 and have had two successful knee replacements.

I look for surgeons with good med school and/or residency pedigrees. Mayo and Cleveland Clinic are my favorites. Then I look for the surgeon to be in his/her late 30s to late 40s. These Drs are still young, ambitious, and current on surgical/medical practices.

That's how I found my knee surgeon and he then referred me to my spine surgeon and shoulder surgeon. I think all of them are in their mid to late 30s. All of them view surgery as a last resort. And they are skilled so I don't have to worry about pain management. I follow their lead and it has worked.

All the best to those of you looking for answers to your ortho problems. You can find quality help.

Joe

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Replies to "Hi BeBold, and thanks for your comments. We have to be very selective in choosing Drs..."
fncz | @fncz | May 29 8:57am

I found my surgeon through two independent sources. My PCP recommended him. When it go incredibly bad, I looked around. Some told me they wouldn’t touch my spine. I spoke to a good friend who was at the time (2014) the head of the OR Ortho nurse team at the best hospital in town. She said she’s “seen them all” and one stood out. It turned out to be the same guy my PCP suggested. On top of it she told me she and two of her team had back surgery by this guy.
I went in completely confident in my choice. It’s the best thing I could have done.
Afterwards he told me he could have done more than the L 3-4-5 fusion but I had been under for four hours. I was 65. I’m now 75 and have zero regrets over that decision.

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