What are people's experiences with spinal fusion surgery?

@jenniferhunter

I had a pre-op bone scan recently to assess for osteoporosis due to long term prednisone use. I have been off prednisone for a few years so I thought things might have improved by now.

My current neurosurgeon wanted to recheck a bone scan again because another surgeon was reluctant to do surgery. The surgeon in the past wasn't sure that I had enough "good bone" meaning normal dense bone.

My recent bone scan was called "normal" with a T-score +4.2 but the report says the following:

1. Normal bone density on the bilateral hips.

2. Due to extensive degenerative changes in the lumbar spine, the spine is
invalid for assessment for osteopenia. On the follow-up DEXA
scan, consider including the forearm.

A bone scan done 6 years ago had a similar finding. That scan stated my T-score was abnormally high and advised "clinical correlation" of the result. The surgeon in the past said there was a lot of bone that needed to be removed. He didn't think there would be enough "good bone" left to hold all the hardware that would be needed to fuse my lumbar spine.

That put a damper on the whole idea of doing the fusion 6 years ago!

Just my own opinion but always get a 2nd opinion from a qualified spinal surgeon. Unfortunately most of us don’t ( like me ) and we end up in worse shape than before. Once done, it can not be changed. Just a FYI, only 1 out of 8 patients resume normal employment after spinal surgery. ( I was one of the other 7 lol ) . Also after any spinal surgery, you face adjacent disk disease where the stress is put on other vertebrae. …..David

I had L4-L5 spinal fusion in early dec and it was a complete success. I’m an active 65 yr old and have been walking every day since surgery now up to 2-3 miles, swimming and working out. Anxious to return to tennis . I believe the better shape you’re in and your dedication to rehab and exercise is the key to success. I hope to return to near 100% mobility (and play tennis) in a few more months.

I had L4-L5 spinal fusion in early dec and it was a complete success. I’m an active 65 yr old and have been walking every day since surgery now up to 2-3 miles, swimming and working out. Anxious to return to tennis . I believe the better shape you’re in and your dedication to rehab and exercise is the key to success. I hope to return to near 100% mobility (and play tennis) in a few more months.

@dadcue Have you consulted an endocrinologist about your bone density? That might be something to discuss with your surgeon in case you can improve your bone quality. Are you able to walk to help maintain core strength? Perhaps your surgeon hasn't discussed any procedures yet. My cousin who also had severe canal stenosis had a laminectomy which essentially expands he space in the spinal canal but does not remove or fuse any discs. He is 80, and had that within the last 6 months, and after a couple weeks didn't need pain meds anymore and he was up and around. He has returned to normal activities except golfing because that twisting action on the spine isn't good for him.

I used to see an endocrinologist when I was coming off prednisone. The endocrinologist was helpful with getting my adrenals going again.

The endocrinologist found several hormone imbalances in addition to a low cortisol level. He said there were metabolic problems as a result of long term prednisone use. The only way to correct those things was to stay off prednisone along with diet and exercise. The prognosis was that some of the things can be reversed but other things may never be reversed.

My endocrinologist didn't address my high bone density. The surgeon said there was "a lot of extra bone" in my lumbar spine. The surgeon didn't know if there would be enough "good dense bone" to hold the hardware needed to fuse my spine after the extra bone was removed.

The bone scan result says my reading is invalid. I was told my reading was too high but not what I should do about it.

Last year, there was a large synovial cyst contributing to the spinal stenosis and compressing my spinal cord. My latest MRI says the synovial cyst is much smaller and can barely be seen. There is more space now but the spinal stenosis is still significant. My symptoms have improved too but still far from being normal.

I’d really like to hear how soon others went back to active sports like tennis after a lumbar fusion.
Thanks!

Judenapier, single level fusions have a greater success rate which decreases with the amounts of levels fused. As far as Tennis goes, definitely ask your surgeon. The twisting of your back would be a concern. Secondly, when a vertebrae is fused, it sends the stress to the next weakest area. When you get a chance, look at adjacent disk disease……David