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Spinal Fusion Surgery – Good or Bad Experiences?
I have degenerative disc disease which is pretty advanced and have been told by several doctors I should have Four-level fusion (L2-S1) surgery, yet I am unsure. I have heard and read so many different opinions on this varying from definitely don’t do it to it has helped a lot. I do understand it depends on the person and how extensive the damage is so I am taking that into account. I’m also very concerned as I recently had a meniscectomy on my knee and ended up with nerve damage which makes me even more fearful about a more invasive surgery.
While I have read a lot about it and met with a surgeon, I am interested in personal thoughts and comments from anyone that has had the surgery and their experience, to those that like myself that are contemplating it as well. I’m really unsure how to proceed at this point.
Thank you in advance.
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@dawnj Do you live in the UK?
Scotland
@sb6088 Thanks for your kind words. Here's a discussion I started about facing the fear of surgery. I was interviewed for a podcast which is in a video at the beginning. I was responding to you on my phone and couldn't look this up to add to my prior post. Perhaps this will give you some ideas about facing your own fears.
Just Want to Talk - "How can I defeat my anxiety about medical tests and surgery?"
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/how-can-i-defeat-my-anxiety-about-medical-tests-and-surgery/
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2 Reactions@jenniferhunter
Thank you very much!
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1 ReactionBoy like so many, I too feel I need this surgery on my back but have some very serious doubts. L3-L5, My spine now is very crooked and bulges in a couple places. I have talked to 2 surgeons and both said surgery is my last chance. I have been to pain med doctors for 3 years of shots. Now the shots are not working that well. I also did physical therapy. Nothing helps now.
My problem is I have other problems that have prevented me from getting the surgery for over 3 years. One was my wife had a stroke and I could not take that much time off. I had to take care of her for a year. Luckily she is much better now. The second time my COPD go worse and my pulmonologist would not clear me for the operation. She basically I could die on the table. The surgeon said come back in at least a year's time before he would consider me for surgery. With treatments my COPD has gotten a lot better now. In 2024 I had the final appointment to schedule my surgery. The day before I ended up in the hospital. I fell unconscience in a store. I was in the hospital for 2 weeks and they did every test possible and found nothing wrong or why I passed out. My surgeon when he I told him about it he told me to be on the safe side to come back in a year's time. In 2025 I was set to go back and schedule the back surgery. In January 2025 I was diagnosed with bladder cancer. I canceled the appointment with the surgeon. He will tell me to wait another year. I cannot get this done since 2022 and it is close to 2026 now. I guess I will not get this surgery or someone above is telling me not to get this surgery.
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2 ReactionsI am fused C2-3 and T8-S1. These surgeries saved my life and I am grateful for them. I can not urge you strongly enough to make sure your surgeon is the best. And I can no longer rotate or bend my torso but for me it was worth it. I am however blessed with long arms so can still reach my toes. The decreased mobility hasn't affected my life in any appreciable way. Good luck on your journey and God bless you and keep you safe.
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4 Reactions@peter51f You have really been through a lot, and I’m sure that is tough to live with. You could consult another surgeon and it would be worth discussing with your oncologist on what is advisable in your situation. Will you have treatment for the bladder cancer and will that be a long term process? I don’t know anything about that or how it would affect also treating your spine. I do know that healing from spine surgery is exhausting and I would guess cancer treatments would be in the same category and may be too much to endure together. You doctors need to make the call.
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2 Reactions@cyndigarrison
Thank you for responding. Its good to hear a positive experience. Stay well.
GOOD luck,, spinal surgery are VERY complex and uncertain. My Dr had degrees from Colmbia, Rutgers and presents papers to national Neruo confernences... I had the L1-5 fused/caged. Was suppoe to have been a 3 hr surgery, but once got in it became a 4.5 hr procedure.
The bad, unknown (?) result, after 4 mos of GOOD healing, the weight from the L5-1 started pressing onto the L5-S1... now those nerves are pissed... and this is 2.5 yrs after the. L1-5 fusion. Dr did say there wold be a 5-8% chance not all would go well. I'm in that 5-8% grp = sucks... Been doing lots of phys therapy & pool/therapy. Just maintaining pain of still 5-8 of 10...
Now waiting to get assessed by Tampa General/Univ Fl medical college; might a spinal column perm implanted stimulator make sense?? these Spinal Column Stims (SCS) supposedly nubm he pain receptor nerves. My concern, it's been 5+ yrs all nerves are pissed, so how mght the motor nerves get 'chilled??
Tried acupuncture, acupressure, deep tiss massages, nerve ablations, nerve anesthesia injections, NO thing works...
Contemplating a Mayo assessment in MN.. Sadly I hear BAD reviews of Mayo-Jacksonville, FL...
GOOD luck !!
My
I had a thoracic fusion t 8, 9 and 7, 8. It did not help and I have been in excruciating pain for over 20 years. Decided after various other treatments to get the spinal stimulator and it has been the best decision I have ever made. I am mostly pain free my nerves have been angry for 20 years but the stimulator blocks their angry messages to my brain. I was bedridden before the stimulator but now I am able to live again with little to no pain. Hope this helps.
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