1. < Spine Health

I am contemplating S1-L5 lumbar fusion. Outcomes thoughts

Posted by skijag1 @skijag1, May 24 11:05am

S1L5 fusion with motion preserving facet stabilization at 3-4-5. In Germany
I’m a very active 65 yo. Ski instructor.
Most interested in people’s experiences and outcomes ( time to resume some normalcy).
Thanks.

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dlydailyhope | @dlydailyhope | Jun 3 3:37pm

@woojr
Thank you. I have a feeling SSA may deny many claims initially and that they make you jump through extra hoops to get approved (like health insurance appeals processes). How did you find your disability attorney?

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1 reply
germangirlvt | @germangirlvt | Jun 3 3:50pm
In reply to @dlydailyhope "@germangirlvt I am 54 and believe I will need surgery L3-S1 but need to learn more..." + (show)
@dlydailyhope

@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.

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Oh I am so sorry about your struggle. I cannot imagine having to go through this kind of pain and limitations without the support from my family. There are so many things I can not do right now, I can only imagine how hard it must be when there is no one to help. Sending gentle hugs and do not give up. No one fights for us but us.

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coachdavid | @coachdavid | Jun 4 5:23am

I had fusion of L-4-5 & S-1 in May of 2023. I did the gamut of injections, PT & chiropractic. The injections stopped working & I had bilateral sciatica.

Recovery is at least a year, so do not be in a hurry. Be open & honest with your surgeon & team post surgery for ideal care & recovery.

I was sixty-nine when I had the surgery & back gardening, walking & moving about. Very cautious about lifting. ☮️

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woojr | @woojr | Jun 4 11:18am
In reply to @dlydailyhope "@woojr Thank you. I have a feeling SSA may deny many claims initially and that they..." + (show)
@dlydailyhope

@woojr
Thank you. I have a feeling SSA may deny many claims initially and that they make you jump through extra hoops to get approved (like health insurance appeals processes). How did you find your disability attorney?

Jump to this post

I was very fortunate that the company I was employed provided the legal help. They were having a reduction and providing help for senior serviced employees to leave. I along with many others had health issues relating to spine and joints. They actually paid six months salary and then our pension kicked in. They also paid a disability equal to the SS Disability until the case was accepted. Mine took over two years to settle. Not long after I left the benefits package changed but I've been grandfathered.
As far as finding a lawyer, just google them (disability lawyers) and make an appt to get their opinion on how your case might work out. They'll know since they get paid after you win. Don't wait around, the whole experience will help you deal with the future. Good luck.

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skijag1 | @skijag1 | Jun 4 7:25pm
In reply to @germangirlvt "I am in the same boat! 53 yo active female, herniated discs/spinal stenosis/DDD L5-L1 .... looking..." + (show)
@germangirlvt

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

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Hello Sabine in VT! I’m in Vail, and I am choosing the surgery option in Germany for my ddd S1-l5 fusion and motion preserving arthritis through L3.
I’m a 65 yo ski instructor. Swim 1 km per day and walk 8,000 steps/day but feel miserable most of the time. Back is ultra tight and stiffness scares the hellouta me!

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mleaf | @mleaf | Jun 5 5:12am

Good luck. I had a Lumbar 3-4 replacement with rod and screws. The vertebrae below are probably needing attention as at times I get a sharp pain there. I’m contemplate MRI if they will Medicate me first as I can’t lay on the hard surface! I’m
Crippled for days from
Getting X-rays. I have ptsd from other health issues so I am afraid too. But we have to keep walking and skiing!

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ga29 | @ga29 | Jun 5 5:34am
In reply to @tony1946 "Dear Fellow skier Some thoughts! I’ve decided I must get surgery. Like you I am a..." + (show)
@tony1946

Dear Fellow skier
Some thoughts!
I’ve decided I must get surgery. Like you I am a dedicated skier, trees, bumps and heli skier. My #1 passion. 78yo
I know we can both ski after surgery; it’s a matter of how and how well. I will ski after my extreme stenosis in L345 is decompressed. I will not play golf; too hard on the lower back.
My question is will I jump back into bumps, trees and steep or cruise. I always skied the edge short swing and bumps. That kind of skiing is much harder on the spine than GS or medium radius turns on groomed trails. So as a completely unqualified guy giving you an opinion; you know you will get it done sooner or later. You want to ski again like me; I’m sure you see my point as an instructor.
Just sharing my thinking on skiing and surgery.
I am confident
78 with extreme stenosis I will ski again I missed last 2 years. Getting decompressed this fall (Sept ), will work hard to be ready to ski the 25 Season. From my reading what you get is what you get.
Sounds like you’re in a similar situation where you haven’t skied recently but are not ready to give it up. That’s my deal.
Now the spine interferes with my fitness and training off season, that is unacceptable.
Good luck I’m going down swinging.
My neurosurgeon recommended decompression and coflex . It’s like fusion but flexes. I did research didn’t like the metal options . He agreed to do a hemilamenotomy or partial Laminectomy. It leaves your spine stronger than the full one and should receive the stenosis pressure. Depending on your symptoms the hemi can work unless you have lower back pain as a major complaint. My surgeon did say it could work for a while but a fusion might be needed later. I have heard so many bad stories on spines surgery I’m thinking less is more. Somewhere in the 30-50% revisions or reduces are needed. Recovery from fusion is considerable. I do doubt myself sometimes. This spine surgery as my Neuro Dr says is very individual and no gaurantees.
Good luck , if your losing fitness,
like me due to pain, it’s time!
Tony

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I agree with you, Tony. Lumbar fusion results are very individualized. It can be really helpful or it can change completely your lifestyle. My first fusion was on L4-L5 in 2021. It did not help my pain. Pain and inability to be active was my major complaint.

I had my second fusion in July 2023. Different surgeon, he revised and removed the screws from the prior surgery, then extended it down to L5 – S1. It was minimally, invasive, supposed to be quicker recovery time. I did nothing but walk for three months wearing a brace. I feel it has help me a great deal, while my pain is not gone, my ability to move around is much better.

Unfortunately, now my neck is giving me a lot of trouble due to my increasing my activity. At 71 years old, I’m not ready to just sit. I want to be active, I want to go, bike riding, hiking, kayaking!
That may be unrealistic, but I’m going down fighting as Tony says!
Good luck with your decision, above all, choose a great surgeon

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sunny65 | @sunny65 | Jun 15 10:41am

I wanted to ask if anyone in this group was diagnosed with Annular tear in L5. The pain is absolutely debilitating. I been told that I can’t have a surgery because I have severe osteoporosis. I was recommended to go to therapy. I tried a couple therapists but they didn’t take in consideration osteoporosis and I was afraid that I get another fracture. My neurosurgeon recommended to go to new therapist. I am going to try. At best it could relieve the pain a little bit but it’s not a cure. I am interested if anyone in this group had a very painful Annular tear and looking for advice how to deal with excruciating pain.

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