Spinal fusion surgery

Over 30 years ago I had the surgery and it held for over 20 years without any problems. However, the pressure of the hardware used on my thoracic region has caused my lumbar to fail and curve severely. My cervical is now curved, my rib hump is back and bigger than before, and because of the curving lumbar, my hip presses up into my rib cage causing constant pain. The surgeon chose not to fuse my entire spine back then because he did not want to make me a robot that could not bend at all. However, I now am facing revision surgery to fix my lumbar, which we hope will, in turn, bring my thoracic region back to where it was. In those 20 years I developed osteoporosis so I went on Evenity which did improve my bone health to the point where surgery is now an option. Your bones have to be strong enough to tolerate hardware so push for a dexascan to evaluate it. If your bones cannot handle the pressure. it will be like putting screws in Swiss cheese - they will fail. My advice to you is this: Get at least 2 opinions. Go to the best possible surgeon for your type of case. In my case I have gone with Tyler Koski at Northwestern Memorial Chicago. You can research his work on You Tube. Remember that the relationship with that surgeon will not be long term. They do what they need to do and move on. Make sure the hospital they work out of is adequate for your needs because they will be the ones who get you back on your feet immediately after the procedure. Investigate what type of rehab will be involved and make sure they are qualified as well. It takes a year before you actually feel like yourself again in every way, but the quality of your life is worth the sacrifice. Scoliosis is insidious - it does damage to your other organs and eventually it will shorten your life if you ignore it. Feel free to reach out if you want to know any more about my journey. Good luck!

Thank You So Much! I would love to chat with you. We have many similarities from this hideous disease, and it would be a breath of fresh air to speak with someone who has been through some of this. I’m being seen at Mayo just visited the endocrinologist to try to build my bone strength with some medication. I’m taking time to learn all I can before surgery with would be total fusion from thoracic to lumbar spine, and I am very concerned about not being able to bend over, and truly can’t comprehend that. I would insist on pre-surgical, information, training, and meeting with other patients who have had this done. Before I agree to this surgery, I would need to know how I would compensate for that defect. Again, thank you so much for all the information you provided. Sincerely, Madeline Costello My phone # is 912-606-2563

I have had cervical disc fusions (all levels), laminectomy, anterior and posterior. The last surgery < t > was done posterior since I have had 3 prior anterior done. My last surgery at Vandy was in 2018 (I think). Now I am developing spondylosis and have not seen anyone for it as of yet. I also saw and endocrinologist who had me take injections to assist with the bones fusing. It was not prolia but for the life of me I cannot remember the name of the injection. That being said my endocrinologist was wonderful and my discs were able to fuse. 😉

My Neice has scoliosis very badly and at the age of 16 had this surgery you are talking about. Doctors put in a stimulator to help her and she 15 years later she is doing great. She also had her surgery at Vanderbilt. (We lived in Nashville). She still has to have her stimulator replaced every so often (years) but it has helped her quality of life immensely! She is 30 yo now.

Thank you for sharing! I really appreciate the information. I should be scheduled for full fusion in the next 3 to 4 months providing that my bone density is improved and I am extremely nervous about the surgery. One of my main concerns is not being able to bend over. I can’t even fathom that concept, but I have to do something, I broke my back in 1999 in boating accident and it’s been downhill since then. I am blessed to still be walking. Also, my balance is extremely bad and I can only walk very short distance before being exhausted.
I am sorry that you and your granddaughter have been through so much. It’s especially difficult and heart wrenching for a child to have to endure this but thank God she’s doing better. I am new to this app and to the Apple phone and would love to chat. I live in St. Marys Georgia and being seen at Mayo in Jacksonville Florida.
Again, thank you so much for the information.
Sincerely, Madeline
Madeline

Hello again: About bone building - keep in mind that depending on what you're taking, the process still takes time. For instance, Evenity continues to improve bone health for a while after you have finished the year long treatment. As far as bending over - think about what your limitations are now and how the new one will impact your life. Not bending over is inconvenient, but not being able to walk is worse. What medication are you taking and will the doctor be able to get a Dexascan before you go under the knife? Again - think about screws and Swiss cheese.....

Greetings and I wish you best of luck with your treatments.
I had a spinal Fusion ( L4-S1) April 2022, 15 months ago.
Dr. said It would be 6 months and I would be doing everything I was doing prior to back pain and stenosis/bulging disc problems which resulted in severe sciatica, a level of pain I was not willing to get used to.
My back is nor grinding when I lean forward and backward. you can hear it if standing next to me. It doesn't hurt when it makes noise but I cannot seem to get over a particular hump when referring to muscle fatigue resulting from this surgery. I still hurt in the muscle area and am wondering if it has something to do with this proposed squeaking/grinding which is believed to be L3 grinding on top of L4.
My back surgery instantly removed my sciatic pain but I am afraid ti will be a 2 year period before I will be out of the woods, ( if ever) when it comes to muscle pain. I'm on my feet every day, went through months of PT, was a text book case foe recovery but still have limitations.
I have spoken to people who had fusion surgery and it was 2 yrs before they could walk a mile without bending over to support pain.
Just know this, and My surgeon did not advise this prior to surgery. Fusion surgery changes your core or ever! Your stance, your posture, your walk ( gate), everything is changed and your body is forced to rebuild your core and get used to it. It's a lot worst when you are over 40. I'm 61, and you don't build muscle at 61 no matter how hard you try.
I am going to get a CT scan to try and determine what is making noise on my back. I understand this is common among a few folks in my boat.
Best of luck and wish you the best.
More later

It’s so difficult and disheartening when a person has tried everything including surgery and PT and still experiences pain and discomfort.

I have osteoarthritis in my lower back. In April I had a CT for cancer surveillance (endometrial cancer in 2019, recurrence in 2021 that was treated with radiation therapy) and there was an incidental finding of a sacral fracture. I knew something had changed that resulted in more aching but frankly since it did not affect my daily functioning I just kept on doing what I do. This includes strength training with a personal trainer.

I have hip and back pain if I bend over too often or too long. Since I have a strong core from the strength training I’ve done and I have strong legs, I try to remember to squat instead of bend over. I wonder if that will work for you, @68shooter?

The research I’ve read tells me that any amount of strength training we do when we’re over the age of 50 (I’m 71) will be of benefit. It doesn’t have to be powerlifting or anything even close to that. It could be dumbbells (2 or 3 pounds) that you hold while doing squats. It could be standing up and down from a chair without using your arms but keeping good form by contracting your abdominal muscles. I talked with a doctor just last week about this and he said the same thing.

Here’s wishing you all in the U.S.A. Happy Independence Day🐹🇺🇸

Thank you so much for your reply and information. This is something I should continue to do.
Although I feel pain after bending over for a period of time as you describe, it just doesn't' seem to get any better.
I would think that with all of the activity of just moving around every day, I would build some strength and endurance.
It's not easy at 61.
Best of luck to you @naturegirl5 and thanks again.
Kind regards,