What are people's experiences with spinal fusion surgery?

Could you be more specific about facility radiologic work and surgeon. I had L4-5 laminectomy at what I thought was the best. Not successful and now suggesting fusion. I would appreciate your info.

I had two prior fusions that helped for a few years. Last year the last lumbar disc ruptured and my spine collapsed into an S shape. No one in my town would touch me. Thank God a PA knew of a surgeon in another state who was doing a spine reconstruction surgery.
I met with the surgeon and he so impressed me with his positivity and experience that I agreed to the surgery. It was done the end of January last year. I have to say, the pain was more than I had ever experienced. I don't remember a lot about the first couple days. When I was more with it, they put me on oral pain med and that made a big difference. As an aside, I was told a hospital stay of 4 days max., but I ended up there for 12 days. My blood pressure kept bottoming out when I stood up. Never did find a reason for it but was gone morning of day 12 and I was released to fly home.
I injured my back at work in 1989 and this is the first time I have been pain free. I still am amazed that I am but am very grateful. I agree that a good surgeon makes a big difference. Even if you have to travel to get the right care, it is worth it.

I am a 69 year old female who had L4-S1 fusion in January 22 at Mayo AZ. Prior to the surgery I had experienced 18 months of horrific pain related to severe spinal stenosis, grade 2 spondy, and 2 completely smashed discs. I started PT at 8 weeks post-op. My pain is now completely gone, and I am back to my regular activity level of Pickleball, bike riding, various fitness classes and light weight training at the gym, plus 3-5 mile hikes. My surgeon was kind and supportive, and surgery at Mayo was an amazing experience.

Thanks. Yes, I'm sure everyone is different. My surgeon said he was operating on me for 3 hours, it was long and deep and going around bones and inside of bones. I'm in good physical shape, go to the gym every day, walk on the beach every day - the people in the hospital noticed my fitness and said it would help me. I know it helped me post surgery - I used my quads to get in and out of chairs for example. Some people opt for a second surgery to take the screws out after the bones have knit together (I don't know whether the metal box can be removed or not). I will just keep my titanium screws rather than have my back opened up again.
Peggy

PS - Yes, I kept a diary. I wanted to know how well the pain meds were working and at the same time, keep track of what I had taken and when I took it, during the first two weeks when I slept so much I lost track of time.
Peggy

Hi Peggy. I'm chuckling about your statement of losing track of time because you slept so much! I would love to sleep too much - even one night! Sleeping is one of my lingering uncomfortable surgical after-effects. Hope you're still progressing...

A second response today...Yes, pre-surgical good physical conditioning is a factor in recovery. BTW - I can't imagine a surgery just to remove the screws. That option has never been presented by my neurosurgeon - nor would I be interested in another cycle of surgery/recovery just for that reason!

It was wonderful to catch up on sleep ! I too battle pain-induced insomnia. I hope doctors give you something that works.

In my case, not the best result. Was diagnosed with both peripheral neuropathy and spinal stenosis. Vanderbilt specialists were saying one thing (peripheral neuropathy) and an other prominent neurological surgery group saying spinal stenosis. Tried to get in to Mayo and John Hopkins to get another opinion to break the tie but I guess because I had been seen and diagnosed by two competent groups of specialists, I was turned down. I finally had to make a decision as I was beginning to fall down.

So, in mid-May of last year, at the age of 67 I had both a spinal fusion and laminectomy performed. 12 hour surgery from T-10 to S-1. Brutal. The first month I was in so much pain even under medication I just wanted to die.

So, fast forward to today, 13 1/2 months later. Am really no better. While I advanced from a wheelchair to a walker to a cane, I am still in considerable pain even though I am on muscle relaxers and pain medication (Oxycodone) under the supervision of a pain management clinic. I am still very unstable and feel as though I don’t have the connectivity in my back / spine to be able to walk.

Have done the electronic stimulator for six (6) months to promote bone and nerve regeneration, continued physical therapy and also recently a laser therapy that is fairly new technology and not covered by insurance.

Bottom line is is that after all that I have not improved my quality of life and probably have added to it extra pain and discomfort, fatigue, and continued lack of stability on my feet and mobility.

Just had an MRI done yesterday for a third spine specialist to look at my back to determine if a grant else is going on. He mentioned when he looked at a regular e-ray last week that I might have some screws loose which might explain the continued pain after over a year.

Am not complaining if it sounds that way. Am grateful to still be hanging around. So may other people have is a lot worse then I do. Just trying to encourage anybody who is contemplating any kind of back / spine surgery to prayerfully consider the potential risk and the fact that you may not be any better and maybe worse after the surgery.

Mayo Connect is a life saver. To have a forum by which you have others and a support group to talk to who have been through similar experiences and can relate has been extreme helpful to me.

My surgery was a only a 3 level open surgical fusion, and very complex. My surgeon was the first in the US to use the Mazor robotic approach. I was hospitalized for 4/5 days and then transitioned into the hospital’s acute recovery unit for 3 weeks. I had 3 physical therapy and occupational sessions daily, it was difficult. I also had a neurologist, his PA and a RN overseeing my care plus an assigned nurse and nurses aides. A hospitalist, my surgeon, his surgical assistant and PA came to see me several times while I was in the unit. This group took a team approach to decisions concerning my care, arranged for an emergency MRI and OR room for my seroma and another drain.

The skill of my orthopedic surgeon was a major blessing, and he used the Mazor robot to set the screws (99.9% accuracy) in the fusion hardware, which is so important. My surgeon also had another physician on his surgical team who monitored the nerves in my spine as he worked on each vertebrae.
I was well trained and prepared to go home after receiving this care. Did I mention my surgeon prayed with me before went went in to the OR.

The surgeon’s name is Neville Alleyene and his hospital affiliation is TriCity Medical Center in Oceanside CA.

Above all, please don’t give up. God led me to this doctor and I suffered for two decades before finding a doctor who said he could fix my back! AND HE DID. The first couple of months after surgery was rough, but is now very tolerable.

May the Lord bless you as well.