Hi, I’m not new to Mayo, new to group. Lumbar fusion

Welcome to Connect! I too will need a lumbar fusion at L4-L5. I am glad you posted because I would also like to know what to expect.

Helen

Hello @user_chf56161a and @bernese53 - I did a search by clicking on the Search icon (small magnifying glass) at the top of the Connect window and typing spine surgery and found another discussion you may be interested in here:

Groups > Bones, Joints & Muscles > What to expect with spine surgery?
-- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/what-to-expect/

Also, Mayo Clinic has some good information on their website here that may be helpful:

Spinal Fusion:
-- https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/spinal-fusion/about/pac-20384523

Spinal Fusion - Care at Mayo Clinic (including patient stories)
-- https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/spinal-fusion/care-at-mayo-clinic/pcc-20384525

John

Thank you John!

Hi Helen, I see my neurosurgeon and orthopedic surgeon in Rochester in August. I’ve had the simplest surgery last year, I didn’t work. I kept hoping and it kept getting worse. The last thing I want is surgery but, I don’t want to live in a chair either. I’ll let you know what they say after August 22nd.

I need a lumbar fusion at L3-L4 & L4-L5 Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion 2 small incisions on left side, I want to know what level of pain meds have been prescribed to people about to go in for this procedure~ I'm 68 years old with high blood pressure and scoliosis I am having second thoughts about going forward with this after my pain management Doctor refused to give me the pain meds I think I need to get thru this? Can you tell me what mg you got/requested. I asked for Oxycodone30 mg 1 to 2 tablets every 6 to 8 Hrs. I have been taking this medicine for years and I have a low tolerance to pain. My last surgery was horrible pain and I was only getting a pain pump implanted.
Thank You in advance for your reply.

Interesting way you posed your question regarding narcotic strength. I had my lumbar fusion surgery L4-S1 in 1988 w/ stainless steel bars and screws. It is now common knowledge that vertebrae above or below stainless implants like this cause bones destruction. Stainless is no longer used and titanium is the gold standard. And the procedures have gotten much shorter due to scopes and micro surgery. If you’re debilitated prior to the surgery you’ll have a more difficult recovery. If you’ve been on a narcotic pain medication for sometime they’ll want to reduce your dose or take you off completely. You potentially may be dependent on the oxycodone after taking it for so long. They need to be careful you don’t develop withdrawal symptoms when they ween you down. I hope you don’t need any pain meds because that would be miraculous for you.
I was where you are for many years too. I’m now retired with chronic back pain, spinal stenosis, peripheral neuropathy and osteoporosis. I’m on buprenorphine patch 20mcg/x 7 days and no longer need oxycodone for breakthrough pain. I’m a medical marijuana patient and THC/CBD combo does me well. Good luck!

What was interesting about how I posed the question, I thought it was detailed enough. I am hoping to get completely off pain meds after this surgery? I am also retired and have been debilitated for some time with scoliosis and taking narcotic pain medication, acupuncture & chiropractic. In the last few years I have reduced the amount of pain meds by quite a bit I think this may help me in the recovery of this procedure. I hope I don’t need any pain meds at all after the recovery. That would be fantastic and it is one of the primary reasons for doing the procedure along with stabilizing and straightening the spine. I know I am not going to find anyone on here that has had a spine fusion that cured there chronic pain and had a smooth recovery as this spine fusion is a difficult procedure for the body to handle..... However I have heard from people that say this procedure gave them there life back and "WE ALL NEED HOPE" ! ! !

@rwdixon4 - Let me respond with my view on your original question: What pain meds to expect post-lumbar fusion. I was 70 years old and in reasonably good physical condition when I had your procedures covering L2-5. This sort of lumbar work can be a big deal as you consider your spine is the structure that basically supports the majority of your body's weight. Lumbar work can cause pain beyond what is experienced from cervical work (which I've also had).

I have both a high tolerance for pain and a low tolerance for narcotics and oxy-type meds. After a few days, I was only taking Tylenol and my pain was well managed. Was it easy? No. Was it manageable? For me, it was. Of course, everyone's experiences are different. (You will get tired of hearing that - though it is absolutely true.)