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Fusion or disc replacement L4-L5?
Spine Health | Last Active: Jan 9 3:42pm | Replies (19)Comment receiving replies
Do some research into the average success rates for each type of surgery, And the biggest risks of each. I wish I had been knowledgeable enough to have done this. I would not have consented quite so easily. Also, check out very carefully the doctors. Like their success rates, recommendations from past patients, etc. Look them up on castleconnelly.com. This is the group that rates only the very best doctors for U.S. News and World Reports. I have NEVER had a problem with one of their doctors, ever. Because I did not do these things with my fusion, I ended up with a spinal cord injury, and not much quality of life.
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Oh, how terrible. I am so sorry this happened to you. I have had 7 spine surgeries during the last 5 years for degenerative disc disease, 9 total in my life. Adjacent disc problems, now called proximal joint failure, are no joke. I have had neurological
issues after 2 surgeries but I was able to do PT long enough to make the effects on my quality of life negligible. As of June 2024, I am now fused from C2 to my sacrum. I have some limitations with the stiffness but no pain. I feel very fortunate. Your story is cautionary for anyone considering spine surgery. I hope your quality of life has the potential to improve over time.