What are people's experiences with spinal fusion surgery?

I had my fusion 4 years ago at Mayo Clinic. I had a two level fusion (L4-S1). We discussed addling L3 but both doctors were reluctant to do that. They said that it would make bending more difficult for me. Overall, I am happy with the surgery and with my outcome. I no longer have pain from the levels that were fused. I have a very degenerative spine and as a result, I do have sciatic pain at the L3 level in my spine. So far, I am able to relieve this pain by sitting for a few minutes. I do need to get a new chair for my living room. Mine does not support my spine well enough. I would also like to get back to the pool for water exercises and walking in the water. This activity really helps to strengthen your lower back.

I had lumbar spinal fusion L4-L5-S1. It’s been 11 months and I’m back on disability and in the same pain I had before the surgery. I don’t know what to do. It feels like my life is over.

I’m sorry to hear that. I had ALIF L4-L5-S1 fusion 11 months ago. I’m no better than I was before surgery and unable to work or do much of anything. I got new MRI and CT scans, but the docs don’t see any clues as to the problem. What are EMG and nerve ultrasound? I’m wondering if these might help.

@mlbobcat
Have you looked closely at your MRI reports to see if anything is called out as a problem with your surgery and fusion healing? Surgeons don’t always want to admit to failed surgeries and may tell you everything is fine/healed when there are really post surgical problems with fusion healing or new problems as a result of the surgery (nerve roots/peripheral nerves being pinched, etc.).

EMGs test your brain/central nervous system communication through your spinal cord to your nerve roots to your peripheral nerves and then to your muscles to see how well communication signals are getting through. I need to go get updated upper limb and lower limb EMG testing done. I had ACDF surgery on my C5-C6 due to cervical spondylitic myelopathy (spinal cord was flattened/compressed and it affected my arms/legs/bladder, etc.).

What helps is an anti gravity chair. For months I researched diff brands and got a Tmber Ridge one. I cant sit in anything else.

Can I ask you what pain meds were given and for how long?

@theo316 - I had a four level lumbar fusion in 2023. I've seen many posts of folks undergoing similar procedures...So maybe not so rare?

FYI - The docs consider an L2-5 as a four level fusion as the procedure involves four separate vertebrae.

When I was released I was on 500 mg acetaminophen, 2 capsules by mouth every 6 hours as needed for pain. For acute pain - (18 tablets) Oxycodone, 5 mg, every 4 hours as needed for severe pain (7-10 of 10). For moderate pain - (18 tablets) Tramadol, 50 mg, every 6 hours as needed for moderate pain (4-6 of 10). I would take an Oxycodone and then 4 hours later, a Tramadol tablet, and 4 hours after that, 2 Tylenol. Depending on my pain level, my next pill might only be the Tramadol or Tylenol. I dosed based on the level on pain I was feeling. I was able to wean off the Oxycodone and Tramadol after the first week. One half hour before PT or other exercise, I always took a Tylenol. After 3 months I was able to resume taking my Celebrex. I use Celebrex for pain relief rather than Tylenol. Tylenol doesn't help with the inflammation I deal with. I already have two anti-gravity chair. I will have to try using one.

Thks for writing to me. I'm not fully awake yet and hope.we.can speak later. The docs are concerned as I am taking benzos for a long time for extreme ptsd.
I'm in agony but reading don't get a fusion.

My surgeon dumped me in January, as he declared that I was discharged. I tried at least 5 times to get a follow up appointment and received a firm no each time. I moved on and just saw a new surgeon yesterday and we reviewed my recent MRI and CT scans, but he didn’t have much to offer. Now I’m looking for a 3rd or even a 4th surgeon to see if there’s a path forward. I’ll ask about the EMG, as I don’t recall having this test done before. Thanks for the helpful reply.

@mlbobcat
Most surgeons do not want to touch a spine if there are any issues with a surgery and post op healing. I think they are afraid of taking on legal risk. I have been holding off doing L3-S1 laminectomy and fusion because I am afraid of my pain being worse if something goes wrong. I have been getting spinal injections to help manage pain but they don’t work so well anymore. I will be trying PT again to try to strengthen muscle because I now have bilateral gluteal tendinopathy and bilateral hamstring partial tears. Not sure when and how this happened.

If you would like to copy/paste your recent MRIs (minus your personal information) for us to take a look to see what stands out, I am happy to review (I have a knack for reading MRIs in detail and have spotted things people may not be aware of such as fusions that did not heal but the surgeon to the person everything was “healed” and brushed off even though he was in worse condition than before the surgery. That may raise flags that you need to get an attorney involved, especially if you can’t get other surgeons to touch your case to “fix” anything.