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T10 to Pelvis Fusion. Experience, Comments Appreciated
I would like to hear from others who had a, or something like a, T10 to ilium fusion with multiple interbody support. How long was the surgery? What is a brief description of the surgery? How long was the hospital stay? Were the results what you expected? How long before you were up and walking as much as you were before the procedure? Did the procedure improve the length of time you can walk? Were you offered any other possible procedures? Any other thoughts/comments?
I have been evaluated and found to have severe Degenerative Disk disease, progressive kyphotic deformity in my lumbar spine, and significant sagittal balance deformity due to a complete loss of lumbar lordosis. This results in my inability to maintain normal posture. In 2018 I had an L5-S1 ALIF for lumbar stenosis, sciatic pain, and a left-sided foot drop. This procedure improved my sciatic pain significantly; however, it did not improve my left-sided foot drop. I spent one day in the hospital. I wear an AFO on my left foot and ankle, an LSO brace, and use walking sticks. I do not have radicular or myelopathic symptoms at present.
I often must use my hands and available furniture when ambulating to keep from stumbling and/or to straighten up my posture. I cannot maintain an upright posture without assistance for more than a few moments. My most comfortable position is while pushing a grocery store cart. I am relatively asymptomatic at rest. I can lay flat without pain or difficulty. I have consulted with several spine surgeons who have discussed thoracolumbar corrective surgery that would include multiple interbody support and fusion from my thoracic spine down to my pelvis. However, one surgeon opines that the risks of the surgery would likely outweigh any potential benefit. Another surgeon recommends the surgery, which has a high probability of improving my quality of life.
Imaging and Findings
GENERAL: The patient is a male in no acute distress. He ambulates with the use of bilateral walking sticks.
BP 129/70 | Pulse 64 | Temp 36.4 °C (Temporal) | Ht 6' (1.829 m) | Wt 83.4 kg (183 lb 12.8 oz) | SpO2 100% | BMI 24.93 kg/m²
FINDINGS:
Alignment: Rightward lumbar spine curvature measuring 9 degrees from L2-L4. 4 degree leftward thoracolumbar spine curvature measured from T12-L2.
Coronal balance: C7 is 3.1 cm to the left of S1 (normal less than 3 cm).
Thoracic kyphosis angle: 10 degrees (normal range 20-50 degrees)
Lumbar lordosis angle: 19 degrees (normal range 20-60 degrees)
lumbar kyphosis 2 degrees
Sagittal vertical axis: 2.2 cm (normal range -2 - +2 cm)
Pelvic incidence: 64 degrees
Pelvic incidence - lumbar lordosis: 45 degrees (normal less than 10 degrees)
Pelvic tilt: 39 degrees (normal less than 20 degrees).
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@g113 Hey there, I just saw this post and want to see how you are doing.
Please do not feel bad for asking a surgeon to explain things to you again.
Ask your surgeon what degree your scoliosis is.
And you said you were scheduled for a fusion. When is that going to happen?
Best wishes, Sherry
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2 ReactionsI don't want to sugarcoat the recovery time for anyone looking for answer's. I am 7 months out now from surgery and I still cannot tie my own shoes or trim my toenails. I am looking for help from anyone who is further out to see if this will ever improve. The bottom anchor screws through the pelvic floor are the biggest of the 22 screws. Even at PT you won't run into anyone that has had this type of surgery, it is difficult finding answers, that is how I found this site, looking for others.
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5 Reactions@mydogbb14
I have a similar fusion presented for me, C2-T10, hopefully not needing to include L1. I am having a hard time deciding whether to get it done. I have a current fusion now developing kyphosis. Do you realize any gains from yours?
Kim
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1 Reaction@staab4 Hi, I’ve had disc problems for over 20 years now. I have cervical fusion’s at 4/5,5/6,6/7 and T1. C 5/6 didn’t fuse so I’ve had cervical radiculopathy for years. So I think I understand some of that pain. My current problems involve my lumbar spine after 4 previous surgeries including fusion and laminectomy. I’ve had pretty bad sciatica for 10 years so I know that pain. But in February I keeled over in the snow because I had something called saddle anesthesia, which I had never heard of. I work 20 hours a week at the hospital so I was admitted immediately. I started to freak out, something was really bad. The MRI came back total loss of kyphosis and buckled cauda equina. The big group of nerves at the base of the spine. I was totally numb in my whole torso, that is saddle anesthesia. I was scheduled for surgery the following morning. It became a big deal and I had never heard of any of this before in my life. I had no choice and so lucky I did. I lost a ton of mobility but the pain is finally gone. Gone.
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2 Reactions@mydogbb14
Your feedback is really good!! One thing I want to say is that putting your socks and shoes on and another activities depends on how flexible you are.
I do not have the level of fusion that you do, but I work very hard DAILY to bring my feet up to my hips and stretch my quads and hamstrings. This allows me the flexibility to put my socks and shoes on without assistance. My fusion is a T11 to L4
It’s a slow process to get there, but it is possible.
I also have a wonderful long handled shoehorn (that I only had to use the first couple months after surgery), and I still have shoes that I can put on that do not have laces. It really depends on my ability for the day.🤣
Wishing the best, Sherry
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5 Reactions@mydogbb14
11 years ago I had laminectomy and fusion on L4-5. No problems until 6 years later when the fusion was undone, laminectomy and fusion L2-5 with rods, screws and cages. A year and a half ago, laminectomy on L1=T12. A few months after having pain and could only walk short distance and standing. Saw Surgeon last week, having MRI and CT in 2 weeks and then discuss how we are going fwd. He suggested doing a T10-pelvic with L5 PSO for realignment of the spine. I'm nearly 79 and in generally good health otherwise. I'm hoping I'll be able to walk further, with less pain (I have a high threshold to pain, thank goodness) but, total percentage of complication is 60%. I know it will be a long recovery, but is it worth it?
@glassart
My wife is fused from Pelvis to T9 over a period of 10+ years.
She had a revision done Pelvis to T10 after previous surgeon messed it up
She is 66 and is in so/so physical shape.
It was a very tough surgery and recovery
Then T10/T9 had so much stress from the fusions below if gave out.
With the fusion being so long it just acts like a big lever,
It was fused just under a year ago and is better but I worry about the fact that they probably can't go any higher.
Personally after taking care of her through 6 surgeries and seeing the outcome unless my quality of life has become unbearable I would not do fusions.
She went through a failed stimulator implant and is on pain meds for the rest of her life.
I am in the position of having 3 level fusion being recomended but unless I'm peeing myself or can't walk at all anymore I'll try everything else
PS: Do you do glass work?
We do some fused glass stuff
Thanks for your input. My pain is pretty bad at the moment and walking straight up is out of the question. So far I’ve been a quick healer and recovered well. MRI CI will be done Nov. 25th and follow up with surgeon after. It’s not quality of life at the moment but I also don’t want to land up in a wheelchair and incontinence. At the moment I’m good.
Yes, I had a stain glass business near Niagara Falls Canada for many years. Taught lessons, sold equipment, supplies and had two kilns for fusing. Retired from this 11 years ago but still have my cutters, tools, grinder soldering iron and some glass. Over the past two years I sold everything else. Loved doing it and creating! Wishing you and your wife all the best!
@glassart that’s a long surgery! I’m 78, nearly 79 and have a positive outlook and also heal quickly. Hearing others speak about their surgeries and outcome really helps with my decision. Im going to go for the surgery hopefully early in the new year. It’s just scary having three surgeries already along with a new hip this year, reverse shoulder last year, new knees etc. now I need to focus on losing some weight! LOL!
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