Proposed Spinal Fusion T-10 to pelvis

@cruncher excellent plan. I did minimum research and trusted Dr. Abode.

@bassetmom
Im fused T10-S4. I did this because I crushed some vertebrae and likely would've been paralyzed. I highly advise against this large fusion unless you absolutely have to. Yes. You have pain, now. YES! You will have possibly even more, after fusion. You cannot mess with the spine in that capacity, without major damage.
Eight years of being bedridden (after surgery), due to intense pain, I finally was approved for an intrathecal pain pump. I'm kinda walking again, but the nerve damage from such a major, major surgery cannot be helped in any meaningful way. I am in constant, almost debilitating pain, even with the pump.
Take what you've got and work around it. Your pain is likely not gonna get any better and will very likely get worse. And recovery, after a surgery like that, takes years. I wish I didn't have to tell you this...

@jax60 Thank you for your very honest comments. I very much appreciate them and I am very sorry for your situation. I assume your experience is why two other neurosurgeons, not a Mayo, told me they wouldn't do it unless I was having so much pain I'd rather die first. I assume you had your surgery at Mayo and I guess your surgeon was one of their neurosurgeons? Dr. Abode is currently who I have seen but as I said, I have not yet decided. I do not have crushed vertebrae, more life-long scoliosis and other aging maladies as I am 71. I had lower lumbar surgery when I was 18 from a ruptured disc but that was nothing as involved as this would be. My responsibilities at home are a big obstacle b/c I live alone in the country and have 3 dogs to care for so I'd have to have a lot of help for a while afterward, which would mean paying someone or several people. Just finding reliable people is hard. Thank you again for posting your honest experience. I wish you well and pray for your improvement.

I suggest seeing a couple more Spinal Surgeons. I saw 4. They all had a different idea - from nothing to fusing my entire back! Get more info. I was VERY pleased with my L3,4, 5 fusion and got my life back. It should all depend on something simple like an xray! Believe it or not. A good orthopedic spine surgeon can see about everything he needs to know from an xray. I will need more surgery but I had wanted to keep my mobility so we "settled" on what worked best for me. Its been 8 years. Happy as a clam. If you can get to UCSD orthopedics, they are tremendous!

thank you. I have seen three neurosurgeons, one at Mayo Jax, two where I live in north Florida, one at Univ of Texas (who said 30% morbidity rate) plus at least one orthopedic surgeon where I live. The only surgeon who thinks he can help me is at Mayo Jax. When I told him what my local neurosurgeon (who is also board certified in orthopedic surgery and has practiced in NYC) told me about discouraging it ("I wouldn't do it if I were you"), Mayo Jax neurosurgeon said, "I 100 percent disagree with him." It's a very difficult decision. (I assume you are referring to Univ of California San Diego? ) Thank you for your thoughts and suggestion.

@aundreac Thank you for your comments and the fact that your biggest problem is not being able to walk any distance rather than the pain. This is hard for some people to grasp. I guess it is pain, sort of, that keeps me from walking but it's more of an inability to be able to go forward. I do not know where USA is but I do hope everything goes well for you!! I'm still on the fence. I don't have anyone to live with me for days when I get home or take care of my dogs who have their own issues. Good luck and all the best!!

@bassetmom
I understand the dog part,

We have a 70 lb shepard/lab mix who won't go down the stairs (along with other quirks) so I have to walk him around the house to the back yard and even though he is 8 he still needs exercise. My wife can't do it.

I had the MILD procedure done last summer and had to board him for 3 weeks. I can't walk very far either but manage.

I picked up a motorized scooter and I use it now that snow is gone to walk him down and back. It was used and only a couple hundred bucks but works good

Now my option is down to a 3 level fusion or live with pain, the dog is a big issue that I don't have an answer for as I can't board him for 3 months so we'll see. I would also have to hire some help at home and pend some time in a rehab so I get you totally.

I am just adjusting to my new life and waiting until my quality of life sucks too bad, to do the surgery.

There is no easy answer and everyone's decision is different.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

@jlssurplus Motorized scooter to walk the dog? Well, that's good to know. I have just recently hired a woman to walk my Beagle. Problem is, he doesn't want to leave me. He walks 10 steps, sits and turns around looking for me. So now, what we do is, and I kid you not, I get in my car and drive in front of him and the dog walker and they follow me. Then I turn around and come home, and they follow me back. Talk about nuts!! I wondered if there was some vehicle I could ride/drive and walk him with. I'll look into a motorized scooter. I have 2 Bassets and one Beagle. The Beagle is the one who is too fat so he needs to walk. Not sure what MILD procedure is but I'll google it. Thanks for responding and good luck to you, too!

Your comments are me exactly except I am a 76 year old male. I’ve been to Mayo 5 times and Cleveland twice. I retired with my 75 lb dog and wife, started hiking, lost 45 lbs and felt like I was in my 20’s. Long story, flipping my feet occasionally, NO PAIN local surgeon said I needed lumbar laminectomy immediately and would benefit me long term and would be hiking in 3 weeks…I was never in pain. I am badly crippled, a Mayo doctor said the unnecessary surgery destabilized my entire back. I’ve been offered fusion of entire back. A surgeon met with me and concluded that I could walk better BUT would not do the surgery because I have no pain. Even though I am badly crippled, he said that it is highly possible that I would have lifelong meaningful pain even if my stature was improved. I researched what complications can occur with a FULL fusion even if the surgery is performed perfectly and there are 7 or 8 including death. I hike with an off-road rollator made in Sweden and hike my dog on leash and off leash with training and a group of similar aged people and my dog’s life is very acceptable. I have a beeper collar and a GPS collar. By chance, one of our group is my age and she had a full fusion 12 years ago and she is pretty functional but does have some pain. So I walk 9/10 mile in and out in woods with a beautiful stream and even though I am blatantly crippled, I think I’m blessed.