I am contemplating S1-L5 lumbar fusion. Outcomes thoughts

@tony1946 I have a question, and you may want to ask this of the surgeons you are seeing. If you have spondylolisthesis that means the vertebrae are slipping past each other because the disc is not strong enough to prevent the slipping. You described it as a slipped disc which is really a disc that can’t hold the proper shape or height and allows the bones to move out of alignment. If you leave the discs in place and avoid fusion, what is going to stop that movement? Is the procedure you’re considering enough to stabilize the lumbar spine?

Yes, THey want to do another fusion and another lamonectomy.. I swear by the spinal stimulator. No more surgeries for me. Check into it. Pain management Doctors do them. I also do yoga and abdominal excersise. In the 4 years I have had the stimulator I have had a few problems because of the botched surgery, I had 2 steroid shots in March because we were going on a plane for 16 hours. I have had problems sitting for more than 2 hours. With the stimulator and the shots I am still geat, No problems

Thanks for the info Carrin. A 16 hour flight is bad enough without a partially fused spine.

I think yoga and abdominal exercises are a great way to protect your spine. Between that and the stimulator it sounds like you've found an acceptable way to get around another fusion. And a laminectomy is nothing more than a future fusion, in my opinion.

I also learned that cortisone shots don't have to be limited to three in any area (that was the old advice). I get shots for my shoulder every 4 to 6 months, whenever the pain comes back. I'll get it replaced someday if I live long enough, but not today.

All the best to you. I am encouraged by your story and know it hasn't been an easy path for you. You're a fighter and I like fighters!

Joe

@fdona58 Welcome to Connect. I'm glad to hear you had a good result from your surgery and sharing that is helpful to other members here. I am a spine surgery patient and had a successful C5/C6 fusion 8 years ago.

in 2018 i was diagnosed as having severe spinal stenosis, cord compression, multiple herniated discs, severe advanced degenerative disc disease and high risk of quadriplegia if i fell or was rear ended in a car. Miraculously, i was in almost no pain. A wonderful neuro-surgeon told me that surgery was optional but that i would need to be very realistic to avoid extreme frustration/disappointment. I was warned i likely would be in chronic pain, i would lose a lot of flexibility in my back ……everyone’s situation is different and im very grateful that i decided to postpone surgery and do a lot of physical therapy. i wish you all the best

i have repeatedly been told by surgeons that 1 level fusion tends to optimize surgical outcome

I haven't had spinal fusion, but I had surgery for L4 and L5. I was not promised success. So far, after over a year, I've gone three weeks without severe pain. A Tylenol Extra was fine or nothing needed. Last Friday, I had a horrible day. As usual after dinner I was fine again!
My one wish is that the doctor had given me more information about expectations. e.g. that improvement would not happen overnight.
I was so desperate to get off the 2 Tramadol and 2 Gabapentin four times a day, I overdid the Advil. My blood pressure went so sky high that one doctor determined I had a mini heart attack.
For me the operation was the right thing to do. My thinking is clearer and I actually have pain free days. Every one is different. Good luck in your choice.

I am in the same boat! 53 yo active female, herniated discs/spinal stenosis/DDD L5-L1 .... looking at laminectomy for at least two of them to avoid spinal instability, My pain doc tried everything (steroid injections, blocks, ablation) and nothing had any impact on debilitating sciatic pain and lower back pain.
Waiting for a second opinion from Mayo but my pain doc said I am too young to wait with surgery, as I want to be active again. Considering surgery this fall.
Please let me know what you are considering/doing. so we can commiserate together lol
Sabine

@germangirlvt
I am 54 and believe I will need surgery L3-S1 but need to learn more about what type of surgery would be recommended. They wanted to just do injections but they are not working anymore (had 3 December- February and pain is returning). My neurologist said why wait for surgery since recovery may be easier being younger. I may consider surgery later this year and will need to time it around my teen son’s school schedule. I am a single parent with no family so scared about how I will manage my home, pets, son’s schedule (he is 14 and has ADHD so has some special needs and not really independent yet), etc. I am so limited in my life due to pain, weakness, numbness, etc. and not able to do much which is frustrating. I am operating at 10%-20% my normal 100% so my house is falling apart and my to do list is so very long. I struggle with depression because I lost my job last year and not able to work now. Not sure I would qualify for disability so I feel my world is falling apart now. I am hanging on by a thread most days.

I was younger than you when I went on SS Disability. It was a pain in the ass but I was able to get a good therapist and pain management group which directed my meds. I had a good lawyer specializing in disability cases who took me through the appeal process as I was denied initially. In short, you need somebody on your side. Getting paid is a good first challenge to get out of the way. Good luck.