What are people's experiences with spinal fusion surgery?

My surgeon says he hasn't my case to a forum of surgeons who specialize in spinal deformity. He may be one of them. I am 73. Not sure I want such an extensive surgery. I am in pain and leaning forward.

Hello, Be sure and specifically ask "How long will the fusions work?" " When I had my fusion surgery in approximately the same area as you, I remember the surgeon mentioning "the fusion should help me for about 10 years." I do NOT know why but I failed to ask "What happens after 10 Years?" For the last 8 years or so the pain directly in the L4/L5 area has gradually gotten worse. During this time I've done therapy, acupuncture, gone from surgeon to surgeon, countless injections, MRI's CT Scans, while doing all of this, it continues to get worse. Finally my Pain Clinic apologized but they had used everything "in their arsenal." I am on the strongest pain medication allowed by law. I can no longer stand up straight, I am literally looking down at the floor. I can only stand for 10 to 15 minutes using a can but the pain becomes SO intense I will go down. I finally got in to see a brain and spine surgeon who works with the Indiana Pacers (NBA). For the first time in a very long time I felt like there was hope. We were speaking the same language . MRI's X-Rays, injections, etc.. He finally told me, I had stenosis in my cervical, Degenerative Disc Disease arthritis throughout. He had hoped to ablate the nerve endings around the fusion area but because the injections didn't help, ablation wouldn't help. He apologized then said there was "Nothing he could do". I apologize for such a long answer. Just be sure and ask a lot of questions. What type of fusion does he want to use? Has he done this type of fusion before? How many? When was his first fusion procedure? How are they doing? Do not be afraid to ask, ask, ask. Even ask, if he would do this procedure on his children? etc.. Again, I apologize for going on and on. I just do not want ANYONE to go through what I am. I wish you all the best. God bless and don't be afraid to ask the Lord for guidance. I wish I would have! Good Luck!

Hello. I'm scheduled for ALIF Anterior 2 disc replacement L4-L5 with fusion S1-L2 and Posterior fusion L3-L5. My condition comes from a burst fracture of the L4 and L3 with slippage from a fall. Prior to the fall, I have a history of Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) a type of arthritis that causes inflammation in certain parts of the spine. It is being managed by a Rheumatologist. I do have a very good surgeon who has done his homework about me through testing, records, consulting all of my other doctors and other spine specialists in the country. I will also have a very good vascular surgeon who will initiate the Anterior access and work with the spinal surgeon throughout.
Now with two burst fracture vertebrae (severe type of spinal fracture where a vertebra breaks into multiple pieces from a high-energy impact. It's considered more severe than a compression fracture because it can cause shards of bone to penetrate surrounding tissues and even the spinal canal, potentially leading to neurological damage) I would greatly appreciate anyone sharing their experience with me that may pertain to what I'm about to have done and what I may be able to do to help assist in my own recovery. I just joined this site today. I really needed to find some other people who understand. Have a beautiful Saturday!

I understand what you are facing. I'm facing a similar surgery for severe spinal stenosis. I'm reluctant to actually do the surgery. I don't have a burst fracture but if I did I wouldn't be so reluctant.

My question is what medications are you taking for ankylosing spondylitis? I have a type of inflammatory arthritis that is in the "spondylitis family." My type is called reactive arthritis.

I'm reluctant to do surgery because several years ago I had sudden onset of extreme pain with neurological changes. EMG/NCS revealed nerve damage and the need for "emergency surgery." A spine surgeon reviewed my medical history and said I was a poor candidate because of all the Prednisone I was taking. The surgeon wanted to remove all the extra bone which was called "bad bone." The surgeon was reluctant to do the surgery because he didn't think I would have enough "good dense bone" to hold all the hardware that was needed to fuse my entire lumbar spine.

I'm a better surgical candidate now because I'm off Prednisone. My autoimmune symptoms are controlled by a biologic instead of Prednisone. The biologic doesn't present too many difficulties for the surgeon except that I would need to stop the biologic for the month before and the month after surgery.

Presently my spine is relatively stable and not causing much pain. Surgery is pending because nobody wants to rock the boat when the pain is controlled.

Hi Mike,
Thank you for your response. I'm familiar with reactive arthritis, I have a friend who is dealing with it. Like you, I also have severe spinal stenosis, lumbar and cervical due to DDD from AS. I am not on Prednisone but there was a time I was on it more than off for inflammation. It was to reduce flare ups which came with pain. This was before I was referred to a Rheumatologist and was diagnosed with AS. She started me on a biologic. It made a very big difference after I was on it for 2-3 months and I was on it for 2 years. For reasons of the cost I no longer could afford it. After about 5 months I realized I didn't have much of a change or flare ups without it. So I'm off all biologics unless I need them again. I took the Humira hCI pen. I'm really sorry to hear about the condition of your spine and all you've been through, already. I'm glad to hear your auto-immune symptoms have improved with the biologic, too. Our spines guide all our nerves from the brain to everything and when those nerves are crushed it can damage our organs and our mobility. Mine are crushed in places and from the burst. My doctors want to try to relieve that to minimize the damage if they can, sooner than later. Thank you. I wish you the best as you navigate your own choice for better health. Lola

My nerve roots were being crushed was what the spine surgeon told me too. My deficits are from the waist down but above my waist is good.

The first time surgery was proposed, pain was going to be the deciding factor. Now the surgeon says it isn’t about the pain anymore.

@italialola3 Welcome to Connect. I'm glad you've joined. It looks like you may be recovering from very recent spine surgery, so take it easy, and we'll still be here when you're feeling up to typing. Best wishes for a good recovery.

Thank you, Jennifer. I was supposed to have already had the surgery. Unfortunately, my healthcare Market plan insurance company has twice denied the prior authorization request. This is an emergent status and twice a tentative-penciled in surgery date had to be canceled. I'm learning all I can from others about what is before me here. I have been told by two spine surgeon specialists from the start that if this is delayed too long they may be unable to perform it as originally planned. I'm doing okay with my mindset and outlook but it has been 4 weeks since my injury and my spine already had complications due to ankylosing spondylitis. I'm hoping for the best. Thank you for reaching out. Sincerely, Lola

What does your MRI report say? I have never had any traumatic injuries to my spine. My rheumatologist sees no evidence of ankylosing spondylitis but I have another variety of spondylitis. According to my MRI reports --- I can't believe all the damage that has been done to my spine. I'm not so sure surgery will help my spine if the chronic inflammation hasn't been stopped.

I have been "penciled in" for surgery several times. Per my request, the times have been erased. I'm worried that surgery will make things worse. My neurosurgeon says not all of my spine problems will be addressed and only the worst levels will be fused. I guess some areas won't be touched but it depends on what the surgeon sees when she gets in there.

Hello Mike,
I appreciate your reply. The surgery I'm supposed to have isn't because of AS, but like you, I have it. I'm reluctant to do any surgery so my approach is "least invasive first". Before my fall/injury I had an MRI ordered and done on April 4, 2025 by my spine specialist. I never had an MRI of my spine for AS I moved 6 months ago from another state. The results showed two areas of severe spinal stenosis with nerve impingement, < 7mm both cervical and lumbar regions. It also showed degenerative disc disease which went from the cervical spine down to S1 lumbar but in varying degrees of degeneration. areas were mild, some moderate. It also showed multiple bone spurs, nerve impingement, and slippage of the L4 over L3. Then on April 24 I fell backwards on the small of my back, (I didn't break my fall at all with my head or my upper back, arms. or hands) I landed on my concrete driveway. I went on April 25th to an Urgent care and xrays were taken. Since it was associate with the same hospital my MRI's were done the radiologist did a comparison while I waited. The results showed what looked to be a new compression fracture in the L4. I was referred to an orthopedic doctor who specializes with spines. He also is at the same hospital. Since I had never seen him before he ordered a CT scan. When he reviewed them it wasn't a compression fracture. It was a burst fracture of the L3 and L4 vertebrae. Burst fractures are much more severe than compression fractures. The bones spread out in all directions and may damage the spinal cord. This damage can cause paralysis or injury to the nerves, which control the body's ability to move or feel sensations. I understand your concerns about having surgery and your neurosurgeons, too. I was worried surgery could make things worse. This surgery is called an ALIF Anterior with fusion and Posterior fusion. They will need to replace the crushed vertebrae with discs and also fuse the spine, part through the front, then part through my back. I've been well informed I'll have some higher risk to the rest of my spine and in the long term with but the alternative of not repairing it is worse.
If you have any more questions, please feel free to ask. Our spines are really amazing. Despite everything that can go wrong plus all we are told that will, I try to approach these things with the best it could be outlook. I know I want to retrain my mobility the best I can for as long as I can. I am doing pretty well, even with a broken back! That's why I can't understand how my insurance could deny this "Deemed Medically Unnecessary". I was stunned about that. My surgeons coordinator is a champion and hasn't tired of working on it. I'm thankful for her.
To better health, Mike. Lola