I'm answering for everyone reading instead of trying to send an answer to each post. As you can tell after reading these comments, there is not one experience for spinal fusion surgery. Each person has a different issue with their spine, and each person's body will respond differently to surgery.
I had spine surgery in November last year, an L5-S1 fusion. My surgeon made it seem as if it was more minor of a procedure than it is. Then he didn't set up any pans for physical therapy, or have anyone explain what I was allowed and not allowed to do after surgery. So I am now going on my own to specialists with scoliosis, as I have a curve and a rotation in my spine.
So, my advice is do not believe anyone telling you spinal fusion surgery is a minor surgery, ask all of the questions you have run through in your mind, and make sure physical therapy is not an after-thought.
Another thing patients are not always told is the success rate of spine surgery. It is successful about 40% of the time, so don't let the surgeon get away with telling you an unrealistic success rate. Or in my case, leading me to believe this was easier than it is.
@marcd2k Yes I can absolutely agree with your comments on this procedure . I had a very experienced Professor who carried out my surgery . I am a complicated case as I have supposedly got osteoporosis which was looked into and meetings were had and came to the conclusion that I was still. Good candidate for surgery . I am female 75 yrs but previously very fit apart from sacrum pain for three years . I was told recovery 6 weeks !! I had an ALIF anterior approach stand alone cage fusion . This was four half months ago !! Since then I have been in considerably more pain than before with leg pain stiffness, sacrum pain and terrible nerve pain . I am now told it could take 2 years and had suggestions of spinal cord stimulators or steroid injections !! The op went ok so I was lucky there but there are no guarantees as with any op. And as far as I can see I have come off much worse then before and am convinced that it is and always was my sacroiliac joints and hyper mobile issues causing g the problems . However , even though every day and night is a huge struggle we must keep going what else is there only hope .
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Thank you for your HONESTY! I have gathered a lot of information and WILL ask a lot of questions! Thank you again!
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1 Reaction@marcd2k Yes I can absolutely agree with your comments on this procedure . I had a very experienced Professor who carried out my surgery . I am a complicated case as I have supposedly got osteoporosis which was looked into and meetings were had and came to the conclusion that I was still. Good candidate for surgery . I am female 75 yrs but previously very fit apart from sacrum pain for three years . I was told recovery 6 weeks !! I had an ALIF anterior approach stand alone cage fusion . This was four half months ago !! Since then I have been in considerably more pain than before with leg pain stiffness, sacrum pain and terrible nerve pain . I am now told it could take 2 years and had suggestions of spinal cord stimulators or steroid injections !! The op went ok so I was lucky there but there are no guarantees as with any op. And as far as I can see I have come off much worse then before and am convinced that it is and always was my sacroiliac joints and hyper mobile issues causing g the problems . However , even though every day and night is a huge struggle we must keep going what else is there only hope .
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