1. < Spine Health

Laminectomy with fusions

Posted by charlena @charlena, Dec 17, 2019

Has anyone had a laminectomy w/fusions done? If so, have you experienced swelling in your legs and feet? My husband had the laminectomy done on October 25th, 2019 and surgery went well. He woke up with very little pain and was up and walking within a few hours. However, he contracted an e-coli infection and had to be re-admitted to Emory hospital and had surgery to clean his surgery wound. Thankfully, the infection did not go down as far as the hardware. He was given Ertapenem in the hospital and his left leg and foot began to swell. After a week in the hospital he came home on a PIKK line through which I administer a daily infusion of Ertapenem. The swelling initially was only in the left leg and foot but last night the right leg and foot was also swollen. Talked w/his infectious disease doctor's nurse today and she advised that swelling was not a side effect of Ertapenem. Just wondering if anyone out there has had this surgery and experienced swelling in your legs and feet. Thank you for any and all comments.

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carlajo | @carlajo | Dec 18, 2019

I had that surgery nine years ago and didn't experience swelling of the legs

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1 reply
charlena | @charlena | Dec 18, 2019
In reply to @carlajo "I had that surgery nine years ago and didn't experience swelling of the legs" + (show)
@carlajo

I had that surgery nine years ago and didn't experience swelling of the legs

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Thank you @carlajo for your response. I really think it is the ertapenem via IV that is causing the swelling. Doctor's nurse said that swelling is not a side effect of ertapenem. But, then everyone's body is different….

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red3 | @red3 | Jan 4, 2020

@charlena, I had a laminectomy and spine fusion of L5-S1, 13 days ago. I don't have swelling in my legs or feet but I do have a lot of pain in my legs and feet which is worse at night.

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1 reply
bstephens | @bstephens | Jan 23, 2020
In reply to @mickaela "hello, I had the procedure you are talking about starting from the time I was 24..." + (show)
@mickaela

hello, I had the procedure you are talking about starting from the time I was 24 and last surgery 36. It was like a domino, you alter one and here I am at age 59 with the back of an 80 year old. Following L4-5 S1, they all ended up herniated. I just found out there is a bulge in the only remaining disc. L1. Would I do it i over? NO. I always thought when the pain gets bad enough what else could I do. No, the fusion was a disaster. I was told there was a non union, I was told it looked great, and told it wasn’t there. At my 6 week check up for my first surgery, I told the doctor it doesn’t feel like you did anything, he said it was surgery pain. I asked him to humor me and do an MRI, the part of the disc they left because they only take what is bulged, was bulged, just this time it was the part they left. I lost my 20’s, 30’s, 40’s, now my 50’s. I was in good shape, I loved life. I have spent all those years in pain and given an 8 pound weight restriction. I could not have a pregnancy because my back couldn’t take it, which wasn’t a problem since it couldn’t take a sex life either. Ask yourself how bad is it. If your life sucks now, I would risk it, otherwise, run and don’t look back. Good Luck, From Michaela Just one thing, once the get you on the narcotics, when they are finished with you, you are on own. In pain. Most likely wind up in a Pain Clinic.

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Mickaela, it breaks my heart to read your story. I have seen so many people who have a story as yours, botched by doctors who don’t have what is needed. This is exactly why I swore for a lifetime that no one would touch mine. I was finally forced to have the whole disc removed, a cage w/donor bone and fusion. I am still healing since it has only been 3 months and doing great. I have a bone stimulator to help the graft and take very good care of myself(something I have never done).
I don’t know if it would help any but you might consider getting an opinion from a well respected neurosurgeon with good references. I do hope the best for you and pray that you will find some portion of relief. Don’t give up!

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mickaela | @mickaela | Jan 23, 2020
In reply to @mickaela "hello, I had the procedure you are talking about starting from the time I was 24..." + (show)
@mickaela

hello, I had the procedure you are talking about starting from the time I was 24 and last surgery 36. It was like a domino, you alter one and here I am at age 59 with the back of an 80 year old. Following L4-5 S1, they all ended up herniated. I just found out there is a bulge in the only remaining disc. L1. Would I do it i over? NO. I always thought when the pain gets bad enough what else could I do. No, the fusion was a disaster. I was told there was a non union, I was told it looked great, and told it wasn’t there. At my 6 week check up for my first surgery, I told the doctor it doesn’t feel like you did anything, he said it was surgery pain. I asked him to humor me and do an MRI, the part of the disc they left because they only take what is bulged, was bulged, just this time it was the part they left. I lost my 20’s, 30’s, 40’s, now my 50’s. I was in good shape, I loved life. I have spent all those years in pain and given an 8 pound weight restriction. I could not have a pregnancy because my back couldn’t take it, which wasn’t a problem since it couldn’t take a sex life either. Ask yourself how bad is it. If your life sucks now, I would risk it, otherwise, run and don’t look back. Good Luck, From Michaela Just one thing, once the get you on the narcotics, when they are finished with you, you are on own. In pain. Most likely wind up in a Pain Clinic.

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Thank you for responding. I am in the process of getting the nerve stimulater implant, quite a long process. After two medial branch blocks and a Radio Frequency Ablation, I am trying to find people who had had the implant device. I have three doctors that I work with, all with a different opinion. I was told most people have them removed aft a couple of months due to all kinds of problems. After having this for 25 years, I am not very trusting of the medical community. Good luck to you as well, thank you for sharing, Michaela

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crockett | @crockett | Jan 23, 2020

Friends; I am looking at a combined laminectomy and fusion at L4-L5-S1. I’m a 68 year-old male relatively fit for my age and height-weight proportionate. Anyone out there who has been through this successfully who would be willing to give me a summary of what I am looking at in terms of relief and recovery? Time, PT, improvement, surprises you were not told about or did not expect, etc… –Crockett

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6 replies
Mentor
Scott, Volunteer Mentor | @IndianaScott | Jan 23, 2020
In reply to @crockett "Friends; I am looking at a combined laminectomy and fusion at L4-L5-S1. I'm a 68 year-old..." + (show)
@crockett

Friends; I am looking at a combined laminectomy and fusion at L4-L5-S1. I’m a 68 year-old male relatively fit for my age and height-weight proportionate. Anyone out there who has been through this successfully who would be willing to give me a summary of what I am looking at in terms of relief and recovery? Time, PT, improvement, surprises you were not told about or did not expect, etc… –Crockett

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Hello @crockett Nice to e-meet you here. I had a similar fusion and laminectomy, plus my wife had far more extensive spinal surgery. I am basing my comments only on my personal experience as I am not any kind of medical professional.

First I would say spine surgery is unique to each individual. What mine entailed, while at the same location might well have been far different than what you will experience. My surgery was scheduled for out-patient, but they decided to keep me overnight as it went longer than scheduled. My immediate info was no lifting nor driving. I was given an Rx for two months of PT outpatient and then take home exercises.

After the post surgery pain, I did get wonderful relief from the sciatic pain in my legs, which had made laying down impossible. It remained that way for almost 10 years until the physical labors of caregiving caused the benefits of my surgery to fail.

Peace and courage

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Justin McClanahan | @JustinMcClanahan | Jan 23, 2020
In reply to @crockett "Friends; I am looking at a combined laminectomy and fusion at L4-L5-S1. I'm a 68 year-old..." + (show)
@crockett

Friends; I am looking at a combined laminectomy and fusion at L4-L5-S1. I’m a 68 year-old male relatively fit for my age and height-weight proportionate. Anyone out there who has been through this successfully who would be willing to give me a summary of what I am looking at in terms of relief and recovery? Time, PT, improvement, surprises you were not told about or did not expect, etc… –Crockett

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Hello @crockett, thank you for sharing a bit about your concerns and what to expect regarding your back surgery.

You may want to read through some of the following discussion that took place early 2016 on spinal fusions. While the types of fusions vary, you may find some helpful information in the discussion:
– Spinal fusion of L1-4 and managing pain. What works for you? http://mayocl.in/2bbREQi

Crockett, has the surgery been scheduled or has it just been recommended?

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mote1 | @mote1 | Jan 23, 2020
In reply to @crockett "Friends; I am looking at a combined laminectomy and fusion at L4-L5-S1. I'm a 68 year-old..." + (show)
@crockett

Friends; I am looking at a combined laminectomy and fusion at L4-L5-S1. I’m a 68 year-old male relatively fit for my age and height-weight proportionate. Anyone out there who has been through this successfully who would be willing to give me a summary of what I am looking at in terms of relief and recovery? Time, PT, improvement, surprises you were not told about or did not expect, etc… –Crockett

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I suggest you find out from an “expert” neurosurgeon , or your own, exactly why fusion is required. Find out exactly what pain or pains it will be relieving and how the surgery will accomplish that relief. If he or she has detailed replies, ask about your doctor’s experience and success rate with spinal fusion.
Also, inquire about PT as soon as you are able to keep your core strong. Too many doctors are operating under the add hardware system and keeping patients in the dark about their standard protocols for “curing all back pain.” Ask a lot of questions about what physical therapy you can do to avoid surgery – not steroid shots which can cause arachnoiditis. The best of luck!

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bstephens | @bstephens | Jan 23, 2020
In reply to @crockett "Friends; I am looking at a combined laminectomy and fusion at L4-L5-S1. I'm a 68 year-old..." + (show)
@crockett

Friends; I am looking at a combined laminectomy and fusion at L4-L5-S1. I’m a 68 year-old male relatively fit for my age and height-weight proportionate. Anyone out there who has been through this successfully who would be willing to give me a summary of what I am looking at in terms of relief and recovery? Time, PT, improvement, surprises you were not told about or did not expect, etc… –Crockett

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Have you had the surgery yet, or are you still interested in experiences?

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