Multi level lumbar fusion

@lisamedanic Good morning! I had a T11 to L4 fusion ate the Phoenix Mayo Clinic in December 2024. My surgeon did an amazing job with my back. The staff had trouble managing my pain and the most frustrating thing for me was that by the time a doctor came in to see me, change the medication, get it from the pharmacy, and then to me….it was late afternoon. The day shift doctors and staff would then go home. Then I would take the medication, it wouldn’t work, and then I was left to suffer through the night because the on call doctor wouldn’t make a change. I was there 9 days and experienced this cycle almost every day. I wrote a detailed message about all of this and submitted to HR with the hope it would help someone else.
I understand that my body was part of the issue with my resistance to almost all of the drugs but I also believe that with my pain level, a doctor/PA should have made the round to my bed earlier in the morning so they could give me the new medication and be able to monitor the effectiveness before they all left for the day.
Other than that, the staff was attentive and the food comes from their cafeteria and was restaurant quality in my opinion.
I found that if you use the search bar and type in different words, you can find a lot of discussions that might answer some questions. Let me know if you have any questions for me. 😊 Sherry

Are you now glad you had the surgery? Did it help?

@lisamedanic I feel like I have to pinch myself sometimes to make sure it’s real, how good my back feels. I am still dealing with post surgery healing but I couldn’t be happier with the results of my surgery. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat.

@sherrym25 What is life like after Multi-Level Lumbar Fusion. This is my AI summary and comparssion of my latest MRI & CT

Overall Impression
Combined MRI and CT imaging demonstrates advanced multilevel degenerative and post-surgical changes, with critical adjacent-segment disease at L1–L2, chronic nerve injury (arachnoiditis), and multilevel foraminal stenosis. The CT confirms severe bony narrowing and fusion integrity, explaining persistent and progressive radicular symptoms.

Key New & Confirmatory Findings from CT
L1–L2 – MOST SIGNIFICANT LEVEL
Severe central canal stenosis, CT canal diameter: ~5–6 mm (confirms MRI measurement), Moderate to advanced bilateral foraminal stenosis, Contributing factors (best seen on CT):, Ligamentous and facet overgrowth, Disc bulge with mineralization, Osteophyte (bone spur) formation, Represents adjacent segment degeneration above prior fusion.

CT strongly confirms MRI impression of severe L1–L2 stenosis and clarifies that narrowing is largely bony and structural, not just soft tissue.

L2–L3
Mature arthrodesis and ankylosis, Prior laminectomy, Canal well decompressed, Moderate right, mild left bony foraminal narrowing

L3–L4
Mature fusion across disc and posterior elements, Residual deformity:, ~9 mm lateral subluxation (right → left), ~5 mm anterolisthesis, Bony canal narrowed to ~7 mm, Moderate to advanced right foraminal narrowing, Left foramen well decompressed
CT shows fixed structural narrowing despite fusion, explaining persistent foraminal symptoms.

L4–L5
Solid anterior and posterolateral fusion, Residual anterolisthesis (~9 mm), Mild canal stenosis (~8 mm below fusion level), Foraminal spaces reasonably decompressed

L5–S1
Vacuum disc phenomenon and spondylosis, Advanced left foraminal stenosis, Mild–moderate right foraminal narrowing, Mild–moderate subarticular recess narrowing (right), CT confirms osseous foraminal compromise, especially on the left, Thoracolumbar & Upper-Level Findings (CT Adds Important Detail)

T10–T11
Moderate right and moderate-to-advanced left foraminal stenosis, Canal ~8 mm, Bridging osteophytes and disc material into foramina.
This level can contribute to truncal, flank, or atypical nerve pain and is better characterized on CT than MRI.

Other Important CT Findings
No evidence of discitis or osteomyelitis (important given your history), No acute fracture, Atrophy of paraspinal musculature (notably left psoas), Lumbar scoliosis convex left (Cobb angle ~18°), Partial fusion of left sacroiliac joint, Spinal cord stimulator intact and appropriately positioned.

I'm facing Multi-level Spinal Fusion T12-S1, needless to say I am scared to death. Not so much about the surgery but what is life after going to be like after. This morning, I was in extreme pain just to put something in the oven. I drop a pill, same results. Will I eventually be able to drive? My husband died in Feb 2025, I had heart attack in March 2025. I am trying to adjust to a life alone with multi-chronic conditions and knowone to pick up a pill from the floor for me. Yes, I am afraid of the surgery and the recovery but I will have medical professionals and caregivers for the 1st few weeks, but what is life after that going to be like. That is what frightens me the most.

I don’t know what your life will be like after surgery but I’m praying it will be better than you’re anticipating. I assume you’re seeing a doctor at Mayo which will give you your best chance for a good outcome.

Not up to me and I don’t know your whole situation, but I’m wondering if after you recover would your quality of life be better in an independent living facility. My dad lived in one for a decade and loved it. He liked having people around and staff support if he needed it. Just a thought.

Praying for peace for you.

Sorry maybe I put too much personal information. What I'm asking from those who have had a Multi-Level fusion, please share your practical advice.
Did you find tools or devices that were helpful?
Did you find bending a certain way less painful?
Did you use an ice machine?
How did you cope with your new limitions (if any)?
Bathroom advice? Yes, thats personal but we all gotta go and I'm trying to be practical and prepare. So if anyone has had a Multi-Level fusion, I would sincerely apprecate the advice.

@jojoback Good morning! In December 2024 I had a T11 to L4 fusion. There are many of us on this site who have had multi level fusions and who have posted the exact info you are looking for! 😊
Your story really resonates with me because you described a very similar situation that I was living.
My life now is night and day compared to before surgery. I have some lingering post-op superficial back nerve pain that I know can take a couple years to heal. But my pre-surgery pain is completely gone! I feel like I have a new lease on life by being able to able to stand for long period of time, sit for a long period of time, walk for long period of time and just live life without being in constant pain!!

During the healing process you learn to “hing at the hip” and keep your back straight when bending over. Basically the same position you are in when you sit.
You learn kneel and squat a lot and when you turn, you turn using your hips and keep your shoulders in line. You will have to consciously protect your back at first, but then it becomes a habit. I don’t even think about it even though I am at the point where I can do much more, I’m gradually working into it because it is such a habit.
You will will be fused more solidly to your S1 than I am, but I believe the healing process will be the same.

As for getting information on what to expect,
I found that if you use different words in the search box, you can bring up numerous past conversations/topics that will share a lot of great information.
That being said, I will try and post links to some of those conversations.
Wishing you the best!
Sherry

@jojoback when I read your first post, my heart ached for you having to recover alone and I understood your fear. I may have to undergo a similar surgery since I have a severe scoliosis with lots of other issues. But anyway, as I thought about your situation and wanting to help, I thought I would share what others have told me and some ideas that I had.
My first thought was about your pill dilemma which may or may not ever happen. A few months ago, I found a dustpan with a long handle and long handled broom at TJ Maxx. That should allow you to be able to pick up something small like a pill without bending over.
Others have also told me that the thing they appreciated having most after surgery was an electric recliner. It needs to be firm and offer support for your back. Other sites have recommended a lift chair, also with firm support. Lots of people report sleeping in their recliner after surgery. In terms of dressing and all that. I assume OT and PT in the hospital will teach you all that and probably even supply the tools. If not, Amazon carries everything.
My last thought is, let others help you. I empathize with having lost your husband so recently and feeling so alone but are there others in your life, extended family, neighbors, friends who keep saying, "let me know how I can help?" Let them know. A friend of mine's grandsons moved her pots and pans to the counter so she could begin cooking small meals. They were glad to do it.
One last thought, as I am thinking about maybe doing adult scoliosis surgery for myself, I also splurged and got a bed that I can raise and a bidet toilet seat. The bidet is not extravagant, compared with the bed, and is very nice even if I don't have surgery. It heats the water and the toilet seat. It also slightly raises the toilet seat and with the higher toilet that I already had, I don't think I will need a raised toilet seat. Those are my practical thoughts. If I think of anything else, I will let you know. I will keep praying for your peace as your face surgery and recover.

@jojoback
Yes, there are many useful tools for post surgery. Since the main rule I was given post surgery was no BLT, bending, lifting or twisting, it does help to have
1) a “grabber”. By that I’m referring to the long tool you hold in your hand and it pinches together to pick up things for you.
2) Ice machine - I definitely benefited by using mine. That said, I had help removing and refilling it with frozen water bottles. If you could prepare ahead to have one set up on a nightstand that might be ok to handle on your own. If not,
3) the long ice packs you freeze work well. I bought some on Amazon and place in a thick pillow case around them before using.
4) higher toilet seat. If you already have the taller, comfort toilets you could get by with buying
5) a frame, which goes around the back and sides of toilet seat to use your arms for support getting up and down. I’d look on Amazon.
6) a walker for those early days
7) a sock aid
The main thing you can do at home is to have items set at counter height that you often use. For example your toothpaste, toothbrush, a cup to spit into and a cup to drink from, your washcloths and face soap, moisturizer, lip balm, medications, etc. You can locate often used products ahead of time by walking around your home now and pretending you can’t bend at the waist. PT and OT will teach you helpful methods too. I was told not to carry anything heavier than a full milk jug, which is about 8 lbs. I’m guessing you’d get moved from hospital into a care facility for a while if need be. Make sure your doc/nurses, etc. know that you live alone.
I pray for the best for you!