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What are people's experiences with spinal fusion surgery?
After trying pretty much everything, with little pain relief, my surgeon has put me on his priorty elective list for fusion of my L3/4/5, and maybe S1. I've heard both positive and negative experiences with this surgery. What are people's experiences, with this? ,
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I had a TLIF at several lumbar levels in 2011. My course was “complicated” because I had a neck fusion at two levels 6 weeks later. I took a total of 5 months off work. However, I was a Recovery Room RN, so I was going back to a very physically demanding job. It’s really going to depend on your job and what it entails. Things went well until a few years ago. Partially my fault for being stupid at the gym. Partially because when one has a fusion, it puts more strain and pressure immediately above and below the fusion. So now I have more degenerative disease above my neck fusion and below my back fusion. I began having significant leg pain/lower back pain. Began having probable sciatic pain, trouble walking, etc. Long story short have been offered more neurosurgery/another fusion in my L5/S1 area. I refused. I now have a spinal cord stimulator installed. It works well for me. Not everyone has that kind of luck, I understand.
Oh boy.
Bless you
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1 ReactionI just saw this. I tried one or two of those injections and only got a few days of relief. If I had gotten 5 months of great relief, I would have tried delaying surgery in exchange for those. Just my 2 cents.
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1 ReactionThanks! I started P/T today and am not in much pain just mostly tingling and fascitations. A dull ache in my right buttocks. I think I just went back to my old routine too aggressively vs being mindful and perhaps the shot would have lasted longer.
Thank you - I am so sorry you went through all of that! What may I ask is a spinal stimulator?
If you don't mind me asking did you have any other surgical procedures or fusion prior to this one? I ask because I had pedicle plates and screws in 1992 and now I have OA of entire spine, stenosis, leg involvement (pain, numbness), chronic pain. A NS offered to remove my old hardware and insert new cages as it appears my L4-S1 fusion did not include securing L5. It is not attached to the hardware and is relatively translucent compared to L4 and Sacrum. My original recovery was eventful and painful and I cannot fathom the thought of doing it again. I function pretty well as long as I get relief from my pain meds and mmj. I've never had steroid injection and do not intent on doing so. I'm 69 and in pretty good shape for my age but I look 50 and feel 80.
It is so great to hear when someone finds a non surgical method to combat spine pain. Congratulations
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1 ReactionNow that I'm old enough for Medicare I have been back to PT 3 times in 2 years. Our disease process posses no obstacles for PT. We get better but we always get worse as we age and more stuff breakdown. The more I move the better I feel.
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1 ReactionWell....honestly, it’s probably more sensible to have you look it up than me trying to explain it clearly! Many brands, some (but not likely limited to) are Medtronics (what I have), Boston Scientific, Abbot, Nevro, etc. etc. It involved some minimal incisions on my lower back, a bit of sedation once it was placed (by testing nerve reaction). Hardest thing for me was many movement restrictions postop for quite awhile so electrode leads did not get pulled out of place or broken. Was home within a few hours total.
Many people claim to have no luck with it, I have had marvelous results with it. For me, it was an option to try vs a second very involved back fusion surgery. Injections didn’t do anything and I have “severe” stenosis on MRI at L5-S1. Patients DO get to trial it first before permanent placement.