Doctor recommended l4-5, l5-s1 fusion. What'll my life be like?

@llander1966
Your welcome, far and away the best explanation I have ever seen. Wish I would have seen it before my wife started down the fusion rabbit hole

My only thought on this topic is: Please get a second opinion before allowing someone to cut into your back. I had L5-S1 fusion nine years ago. Did not help with my lower back pain.

@heisenberg34
I've been recommended to have l3 all the way down to s1 fused. I have had stenosis for 7 years but after year I did have a laminectomy however it only worked for 3 months and then the pain came back it's only in my legs though. Was your pain in your legs or back? I don't know what to do I don't really like living with legs that throb after I walk which is what they do and the only way I can control it is with oxycodone. However I don't want to have a huge operation and not be better. So you had no relief and where were your symptoms?

@jenatsky
I've written to you before about fusion. I'm still trying to decide if I'm going to go ahead with it after being recommended to have a three level fusion. The pain is in my legs after I walk or stand and it does diminish my quality of life but I don't want to do a big surgery like three level fusion and then have very little relief. Why do you say you wouldn't do any more surgery? Did it relieve your pain at all?

@drichards1567
This is encouraging but I have a few questions. Was your pain in your legs or back is the first question. Second how long did you have stenosis or what was the reason for the surgery? Why do you say find a neurosurgeon instead of just an orthopedic surgeon because even at HSS in New York where I live which is supposed to be one of the best spine centers in the world mainly has orthopedic surgeons. In fact I don't think they have neurosurgeons. Can I ask where you did your surgery and with whom and also did you have pain in your legs after you walked. Thank you

@annie1 my surgery in 1988 was with stainless steel plates and screws before titanium even existed. My recovery was a long year wearing an external turtle like torso clam shell and PT certainly was not what it is today. So far I’ve been able to make it through life not needing a GI or lumbar spine MRI since my SS bars bounce X-rays and make them unreadable. I’m not looking to repeat recovery unless I absolutely require it, which is why I try to keep myself energized, exercise, walk daily and watch my diet. So far no one’s suggested I replace my bars after 30 years which is fine with me.

@annie1 I had severe buttock and lower back pain. I tried injections and ablations... no help. Then, an orthopedic surgeon checked my MRI and told me that I needed fusion of L5-S1 to correct spondylolisthesis. No help. Please get a second opinion.

I'm 65 4 yrs ago I had a lamenectomy, That worked my legs were going numb, then a yr after that I had L4 L5 fusion then I had a S1. Fusion, then right hip replacement, still in incredible pain, take 30 mgs of methadone, up to 3 percocet and 2 Valium daily, I'm bed ridden basically live in my recliner, I'm going to Northwestern Memorial Hospital on the 30th of August pain clinic, I've also broken down the amount of meds I take I'm down to 1 percocet, and 27 mgs of methadone the constipation is unbearable I'm on Movantik for that , still taking forever to go to bathroom 50 mgs every other day, Now I was just diagnosed with bladder cancer I. Feel like I wanna give up I'm tired can't take it anymore ty for letting me vent ,My name is Brian

No lifting bending or twisting till death do you part. All will be limited.

@abettera1961 Brian, if you are going to Northwestern anyway, perhaps you could make an appointment with Dr. Tyler Koski, neurosurgeon. I have heard he is excellent. Maybe he could give you a second/third/fourth opinion. I don't think it could hurt considering all you have been through and are facing.