OK, it's time to share my experience with lumbar fusion. A very happy one! I had had lower back pain for quite some time, attributing it to 'sciatica'. An MRI last Feb showed the problem: L4 vertebrae slipped over L5 (or was it the other way around?) As the months progressed ,this was causing pressure at random times on my spinal nerves, which caused excruciating pain--like grabbing on to a 220 volt electrical wire, momentarily paralyzing me, unable to take a step or move until the pain subsided. Anyway, I had a couple of cortisone injections which were limited in their duration of relief. As an aside to my story, I had contacted the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, (where I was born and grew up). Had my records sent there, and they told me it would be 2 weeks before I would hear from them, as the docs had to review my records--MRI's, etc. Well, I didn't hear from them until a couple MONTHS later, some lady from Mayo called me...I told her very matter-of-factly that I was disappointed that it took too long to get a response from anyone at Mayo, and that I'd already made arrangements to have surgery done at a hospital closer to my home, (northern MN). By the end of the summer, I was on hydrocodone, 1 pill in the morning, which lasted until about 1 pm. I endured the gnawing pain in my lower back until around 7 pm, when I took another hydrocodone, and went to bed with an ice pack to 'freeze' the pain. I knew the hazards of taking too many opioids, so limited my intake of them. As July and August progressed, I was using a walker. I was miserable, and could hardly wait until the day of surgery...just counting the the days to relief. It was pure agony, and I am a pretty tough old bird. THEN, on Sept 10, I went under the knife! I had a 6 hr ALIF surgery, to fuse L4 & L5. I came home 2 days after surgery. The recovery was a bit tough, requiring a lot of rest, and some oxycodone. Lots of ice packs on abdomen and lower back. I slept in a power recliner, which greatly helped with getting up.
I was so relieved, words cannot describe my relief, even amid the recovery discomfort. No more excruciating pain, no more fear of being 'shocked' with paralyzing nerve pain. I walked with a cane for a bit, could not drive for a few weeks, was restricted to no BLT's (no bending, lifting, twisting). But just being able to walk without pain was enough for me. I had EXCELLENT surgeons , who I would highly recommend. As I am now 4 months post-op, I am so happy that I had the L4L5 ALIF fusion done. I could not have survived without it, of that I am convinced. Now, I walk very cautiously, especially on icy surfaces (of which there are many here in MN this winter!), and I am not taking any unnecessary risks with any other activity. Just walking, climbing stairs, and doing daily activities should keep me going for another 72 years! (my age, btw). SO ----this is my 'Happy Ending' thanks to my wonderful, fabulous surgeons, and also to my wonderful, fabulous husband who has helped me both before surgery, and with recovery after surgery. I hope all of you have Happy Endings with your surgery, and welcome any questions or comments!