Has anyone had laminectomy then needed spinal fusion?

Posted by pattyo1 @pattyo1, 2 days ago

I had multilevel laminectomy (l2-l4) in October 2024. I had severe nerve spasms before final postop visit. I was told my nerves were "waking up". I felt like the surgeon was dismissing my pain. I am now scheduled for a spinal fusion with another surgeon. I am afraid to be hopeful based on the laminectomy results.

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tonyst | @tonyst | 1 day ago

The TOPS procedure is an alternative to spinal fusion, which involves permanently joining vertebrae. It's intended to provide pain relief while preserving the spinal column's natural range of motion.

The TOPS device is placed on the posterior (back) side of the spine and is designed to stabilize it without fusing the vertebrae. This allows for continued movement in areas like flexion, extension, lateral bending, and rotation.

tonyst | @tonyst | 1 day ago

In reply to @gently "tonyst, so, with intractable pain, you would? Suffer? None of us are fans of surgery. We're..." + (show)

No, I wouldn’t suffer. Currently taking Norco with acetaminophen every 6 hours. Flexeril 3 times a day and Gabapentum 300 mg. This keeps me pain free as long as I don’t do anything to aggravate the pain.
Currently searching for an alternative to fusion surgery.

I’m looking at the TOPS procedure. I would post it but am not allowed to on this site.
You can search TOPS surgery for back pain on the internet.

pattyo1 | @pattyo1 | 1 day ago

In reply to @tonyst "No, I wouldn’t suffer. Currently taking Norco with acetaminophen every 6 hours. Flexeril 3 times a..." + (show)

Best wishes with your future treatment plan! It is good to be proactive!

pattyo1 | @pattyo1 | 1 day ago

In reply to @tonyst "The TOPS procedure is an alternative to spinal fusion, which involves permanently joining vertebrae. It's intended..." + (show)

It sounds like a good procedure!

gently | @gently | 1 day ago

https://premiaspine.com/topstm-system/

bluridgeranger | @bluridgeranger | 23 hours ago

I had a laminectomy at C3-C5 in 2001 due to developing stenosis. I’d already had anterior fusions at C4-5,C5-6 a few years prior. I had a great result with relief of pain and spasticity symptoms. 20 years post-op, with few lifestyle impacts other than some range of motion loss.