Concerned about fusion, have osteoporosis: What are TLIF, ALIF, XLIF?

I’m having some issues from the surgery that are probably due to my age, 72. Other than that, I am doing quite well at 2 months. I have the usual restrictions, don’t bend, don’t twist and don’t lift over 8 pounds, but I am quite pleased with my progress.

I had the same problem with my pain med doctor. I did not understand half of what he was saying.
I did 2 things.
1- I talked to the PA for my doctor. She was excellent in explaining the options I had and what the doctor would do in the surgery to correct them. If your doctor has a PA or APRN make an appointment with them
2- I went on the patient portal and downloaded his summary of my problem and solutions. Yes it was mostly medical terms but I went on line and looked up just about every word.

hope that helps you

Hello All,

I have multiple things very wrong with my spine, Degenerative Disc disease, Spondy, lumbar stenosis, and osteoporosis. I have seen many surgeons who say I need fusion despite the osteoporosis. The pain is in my legs, not my back. Has anyone had fusion who has osteoporosis ?

I had a double spinal fusion with really bad osteoporosis. The doctors met weekly to decide if I was a candidate. I had the surgery in 2022. I was crawling everywhere from the vertebrae breakage. I came thru fine. I can walk again! I still have lumbar pain which I am trying everything possible to alleviate that pain. So far nothing really works.

Has anyone had spinal fusion with rods and screws and at a much later date had chiropractic adjustments? I had L5-S1 fusion back in 2017. Now, with my back acting up and sending pain down both legs to the tip of my toes, I would like to see if an adjustment might help get things back in alignment. I also have a pain pump which was implanted two and a half years ago. Thanks to you all. Have a blessed day.

@heisenberg34 You may want to ask your surgeon if a chiropractor could put you at risk. What about physical therapy? That may help.

@besmith57

Sorry if I'm asking you to belabor the obvious, but are you definitely saying that having the fusion surgery worked out for the better, pain and mobility-wise, and in terms of your vulnerability to vertebrae fractures?

No additional osteoporsosis complications caused by the fusion surgery?

And, have you been back on your feet at all, or most, times since the 2022 fusion surgery? No more crawling around in pain?

I have osteoporosis, and I'm looking at triple-level lumbar surgery. Presently I'm struggling to control the back pain with Gabapentin, and sometimes I'm off my feet for days, which is why I know what it feels like to have to crawl around the house at times. Awful.

So I'm interested in your story.

@pyates

Yes, the fusion was effective in addressing pain and mobility issues. I can't walk or stand as long as I used to, though. I'm not sure about my vulnerability to more vertebrae fractures. I fell pretty hard last week, but nothing broke. I was just in a lot of pain from pulled muscles, though. I did the Tylmos injections for 2 years, so maybe that helped. I also take calcium citrate and vitamin D. Also, Prolia injections every 6 months. I'm having a bone density test soon. If I didn't have the lower back pain, it would be fine. I also have severe DDD.
I hope I answered all your questions; if not, reach out again. Without the surgery, I wouldn't have any type of life.

@besmith57

Now that I re-read your post, I can that the fusion surgery got you back on your feet, but didn't really do a heck of a lot to reduce the pain you'd been feeling all along, dating to pre-surgery. That's my impression.

But it doesn't seem like there's been any instrument/hardware failure in your case. That in itself, I'm guessing, is a very positive sign.

@besmith57
Where do you live and where did you do the surgery ? Did they put cement in the screws do you know ? So it sounds like you were much better off than before the fusion.