1. < Spine Health

Fusion or disc replacement L4-L5?

Posted by brycek112 @brycek112, Sep 19 7:49pm

I’m 24 years old with severe degenerative disc disease and spinal canal stenosis. I have a herniated disc at L4-5 that hasn’t gotten better at all in almost 2 years. My most recent MRI shows the disc to be almost completely flat and crushing my s1 nerve causing my left foot to be numb. I’ve been told by one surgeon I need a fusion but another surgeon said that as a 24 year old I would be better off getting a ADR. I’m confused as to which person I should listen to and why.

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joelaurie1 | @joelaurie1 | Oct 11 9:14am
In reply to @besmith57 "My double spinal fusion did not help my scoliosis or give me back the 3 inches..." + (show)
@besmith57

My double spinal fusion did not help my scoliosis or give me back the 3 inches I lost that he promised. I didn't have scoliosis before I broke my back, I had very bad osteoporosis but they were able to do the fusion. It definitely helped my broken back. I still have constant lower back pain that can't be fixed with surgery. Good luck with whatever you decide.

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To besmith57,
Thank you for the comments.
Was the recovery painful, and is it a long recovery process?
Also, did you have a lot of out of pocket expense?

REPLY
1 reply
besmith57 | @besmith57 | Oct 11 9:29am
In reply to @joelaurie1 "To besmith57, Thank you for the comments. Was the recovery painful, and is it a long..." + (show)
@joelaurie1

To besmith57,
Thank you for the comments.
Was the recovery painful, and is it a long recovery process?
Also, did you have a lot of out of pocket expense?

Jump to this post

Sorry, to tell you, but the recovery was long and painful, but worth it in the end. If pain pills work for you that will help. They don't have any affect on me. I don't remember much or any out of pocket expense. The surgery and hospital stay was over $192,000. I was hospitalized longer because the surgeon nicked my spinal cord causing it to leak. Good luck to you!

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