Who has had successful fusion surgery that has osteoporosis?

I always get a second opinion! The first surgeon I saw told me I needed a 360 because I have a slipped disc (stenosis too). I have seen two surgeons since and they both recommended a fusion of L 4-5 and a laminectomy. I have an appointment consultation to see if I can have the TOPS procedure instead of a fusion. The recovery time is less and since I live alone, it would be extremely hard to take care of myself, my home and my yard for the first year. I had osteoporosis and just finished the Forteo injections. My back is now strong enough and I am no longer in the range of osteoporosis. Good luck with your procedure!

I am 73 and have osteoporosis. I have had stenosis of lumbar spine with degenerative disc disease, foraminal stenosis, radiculopathy etc. my main symptom is that my calf muscles throb painfully after walking even if it's just a few steps. I had a laminotomy to me without fusion but now I was told I need fusion however several surgeons have warned that with my osteoporosis that could be risky. How many people out there have had successful fusion with osteoporosis. I would need three levels fuse. Thanks

Hi @annie1 - just wanted to let you know that I moved your post to this discussion so that you could talk with others who've had fusion surgery who also have osteoporosis:

- Who has had successful fusion surgery that has osteoporosis? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/who-has-had-successful-fusion-surgery-that-has-osteoporosis/

Have the surgeons you've seen commented on why they think you are experiencing the calf muscle throbbing when walking? If so, what did they say?

@lisalucier
Going on for 7 years already but they said it was probably from the stenosis compressing the nerves. Recently one surgeon wanted me to get some kind of vascular test which I have to do. As far as the osteoporosis discussion let me look into that I might have been the one who posted that actually.

@shirleyhibb26
I think your pain probably is different than mine because I was told that RFA doesn't work for me cuz I have pain most all in my legs not my back. They said RFA only works for back pain. How long did the fusion last before you had your pain come back?

@lisalucier
Actually that was me that started that discussion a month or so ago. I'm going to put another question out to everyone. I think it's probably necessary for a surgeon to want you to have a dexa scan and CT scan if you have osteoporosis before fusion surgery? I read in a NIH research article that are in HU. That stands for hounds field units I think and is much more precise than the dexa scan. I already had bad luck just with a laminotomy and I think it's because of my osteoporosis. I got a pars fracture from the surgery. I don't want to risk anymore things going wrong because of my osteoporosis.