Looking for success stories from T3-Pelvis fusions

@memuno1stborn: For anyone reading this re: spinal fusion post-surgery, there are a few other areas that probably could be mentioned. No one told me about the possibility of intense itching and the emotional/mental stress that could be encountered after major surgery. 1-1/2 months after surgery, I had intense itching on my back. It was awful. Itching is due to the healing and regrowth of your skin and all the sublayers of tissue and nerve endings beneath your skin. During healing, histamines are released. I would use cold packs (not frozen) wrapped in a cloth to relieve the itching. I also used a cortisone cream--but be careful to read the label about re-application. The intense itching eventually ceases but I've had small flareups from time to time. If anything more than itching occurs, contact your doctor.
The other area of discomfort is the emotional distress that can occur during the healing process. I began to realize that I was not myself and talked with a doctor who suggested I meet with the practice staff therapist. A few sessions helped me work through concerns.

The itchiness and emotional distress don't happen with everyone, but I found out these are not uncommon aspects of healing after major surgery. I just wish someone had told me of the possibility because I felt alone, fearful, and misunderstood--and frankly, a bit down. All of the negative aspects have passed and I'm back to feeling like myself again. I just want to do what I can to help others about spinal fusion post-surgery aspects, and help others to know that they don't have to go through the recovery journey alone and uninformed. I think the medical profession could do more patient education about potential post-surgery issues.

@memuno1stborn I 100% agree with you on this! Healing is possibly more mental than physical! I'm really glad that your practice provided support for you! I do wish I had had that. There have been moments where the fear and the lack of progress just knocked me into a funk. I do think the field would have better outcomes if they did a mental health evaluation prior to surgery and had check-ins that were a little more substantial than just the periodic check in to see if you are in physical pain and using pain meds. I have heard of fusion patients hitting a mental slump at the one year mark, and I'm curious if anyone on the forum would be willing to share more about this?

@karenoharmon: Oh #@#*, I hope that I've already experienced the mental slump and don't have another to get through another at the 1-year mark! What likely contributed to having mental health funk post-surgery was the death of a favorite sister just 5 months before, placement in memory care of mother @ 101 yrs. with failing health just prior to surgery (recently died), another sister given only 5 months to live, other family issues; and, the seriousness and enormity of spinal surgery. A number of awful things could have happened during surgery. Mortality reality and mobility challenges overtook my ability and resiliency to "get through" tough times. Thankfully, all was put into positive perspective, along with adapting to and problem-solving the mobility issues. I don't know if going through all this made me any stronger, but it did teach me that I can endure and go on. Most, if not all, medical practices check on a patient's mental health status at each visit. As I mentioned in a previous chat, I firmly believe that the medical profession should do more in patient education about possible post-surgery issues.

I'm still looking for someone with a positive outcome from a T3 to Pelvis surgery..if they even exist! I'd love to hear from them. I'm hearing a lot of challenges (which I know I will have) but does anyone have a good end result?

I had T10-pelvis fusion with L4-L5 transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion and L5-S1 transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion with S2AI screws for pelvic fixation. In short, I had spinal fusion surgery that took place on March 23, 2026. Yes, you're right it's a huge spine surgery (not just "back surgery") and recovery is challenging. I don't know that pre-surgery I actually realized the depth of mobility limitations of a spinal fusion. I'm 79 yrs old, female, and have always been active--running, hiking, biking, walking, gardening. I gave up running a few years ago due to knee issue. Giving up gardening nearly breaks my heart because, as you will find, bending over isn't possible anymore. However, I can still walk, and in a post-surgery meeting with doctor this week, I can continue to hike as long as it is a mild rated hiking experience. Full recovery from surgery is expected to take 2 years. By that time, my goal is to be able to complete a daily (pre-surgery) 4-mile walk. I recently began driving to grocery store, church, appointments. For now, I'm avoiding highway driving until I'm very confident about re-learning how to drive. You must learn to rely on rearview mirrors because of limitations in looking backwards for approaching cars. My neurosurgeon appointments are 40 minutes during good highway traffic, so I take an Uber or Lyft. I've been contemplating taking local streets instead of highway travel but not sure that I want to spend an hour or more to get to doc's office.

Just to let you know, immediately after surgery there's a lot of pain and walking to the bathroom is excruciating. Going to the bathroom is a humbling experience. You have to rely on someone else (male or female) to clean you because you cannot do it for yourself due to mobility issues. It took me 35 days before I could clumsily clean myself while in rehab. I was in a hard body brace that could only be taken off while lying flat in bed--it had to be on at ALL other times. There's a lot more but maybe this will somewhat prepare you for what's to come. In my opinion, people who call this "back surgery" are not fully comprehending the intensity of spinal fusion. After surgery, I was sent a questionnaire as to whether or not I was glad to have had the surgery. I couldn't answer with a simple yes or no. In my mind, there were consequences for having the surgery and consequences for not having the surgery. I had to decide which type of consequence I was willing to live with. Full disclosure, I was born with scoliosis and never had any problems until about 1-1/2 yrs. ago when my head, neck, and right shoulder began leaning to the left. I was experiencing difficulty in swallowing food and liquid and had pain in my right shoulder.

You will have OT and PT after surgery. Do what you can in these areas but don't push it. You'll get to a point of comfort in these exercises, especially if you're faithful in doing them.

I don't know if the above is TMI or not enough, but I wish you well. Post the date of your surgery and I will pray for you before and during surgery, and as you recover.

I'm still looking for someone with a positive outcome from a T3 to Pelvis surgery..if they even exist! I'd love to hear from them. I'm hearing a lot of challenges (which I know I will have) but does anyone have a good end result?

@memuno1stborn Hi. Would you mind sharing who your surgeon was and which hospital?

@bassetmom: I have empathy and sympathy for your situation. I, too, live alone. While I have one son in the area, he didn’t have time to provide the 24/7 care I needed post-surgery. You’ll need help with meals, medications, OT and PT, etc. The decision to have surgery all depends on the quality of life you now, or will, have vs. the quality of life you’d have with the surgery. That’s not for the doctor to decide, that’s for you to decide. Yes, there have been times when I regretted spinal fusion surgery and the resulting mobility limitations, but the alternative wasn’t to my liking either. As I continue this post-surgery journey during the last part of my life, I have confidence that I’ll learn how to overcome mobility challenges. I know it won’t be easy, but where there’s a will, there’s a way. If it’s something that turns out to be too difficult, then I’ll accept it and be happy with other progress.
I live in the Denver area, but as mentioned, I didn’t have the support and assistance that’s necessary for successful post-surgery recovery and was admitted to a rehab facility. Discuss your situation with your doctor to find out if he or she and the surgery team can assist with recovery at a rehab facility. If you lived near, and decided to have surgery, I would do whatever is in my power to help you because this is a life-altering surgery. Only those who've been through it can understand the situation.

@richstein52: What do you mean about a positive outcome? Coming out alive after spine surgery with no neurological damage is very positive to my way of thinking. Adapting and living well after a life-altering surgery is also a positive outcome. What is it you're hoping someone wll tell you?