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t-10 to s-1 Spinal Fusion Using INTRAOPERATIVE NEUROMONITORING ANYONE?
After two years of trying to make the right decision to have the t-10 to s-1 fusion done, I am scheduled for it on September 19th.
The surgery will be done in two parts on two different days, the first one on the 19th will be anterior to remove three discs and install cages. The second surgery on the 23rd will be posterior to insert the rods.
The surgeon told me he would use robitics to assist with placement of the screws. I noticed on the operative notes, he will also be using neuromonitoring during the surgery. I never heard of it and was wondering if anyone else has? I found a few articals about it and they all seem very promising in reducing recovery time and recognizing unanticipated problems during the surgery that may require an adjustment to the surgical procedure plan while you are in open surgery.
I would love feedback from anyone who may have had a conversation with health professional about it.
Here is a link to one of the articals I found about it:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11122101/
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@berniej1 Pet Detective
Good morning, the surgeon used Neuromonitoring on me during my back fusion at the Mayo Clinic last year. I remember they put leads just under my skin, in different locations on my head, arms and legs. The surgeon told me that someone was specifically assigned to monitor my brain and spinal cord functions and if anything was compromised during the surgery, they could immediately stop and adjust.
They applied all of the transmitters after I was asleep. I only noticed one small bump on my scalp above my ear as a result.
Good luck with your surgery!
Sherry
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3 ReactionsSherry,
Thank you so much for this information! When I saw this mentioned on the clinical notes regarding the surgery plan, I never heard of it. Did they mention after the surgery if any adjustments were made during the surgery that were performed due to monitoring signals?
Oh, I hope your surgery was a complete success! Thank you again.
Bernie
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1 Reaction@berniej1 I had neuro monitoring during my cervical spine surgery. It lets the surgical team know that everything is functioning with your nerves so they know they haven’t damaged anything. It’s a safety check and I felt safer knowing my surgeon was doing this. They will insert needles that are electrodes at various places, so there may be some bruises in spots afterward. I had no evidence of it after my surgery. It’s a good thing, so no worries.
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1 ReactionBernie, my surgeon did not say anything to me about there being any issues with my nervous system during the surgery.
I was happy to hear him tell me that the surgery went “very well”when I woke up!!!
I agree with Jennifer that it is a good thing to have this monitoring in place!!
Sherry
Bernie, and yes, my surgery was an absolute success! I’m still recovering from the surgery, but it gets a little better each day and I am now about 8 1/2 months postop. My surgeon ordered up a scan that I will do in December to show the fusion that has taken place. I can’t wait to get back riding my horses!
Sherry
Thank you ladies so much for this feedback. I have been on this journey for over two years interviewing multiple doctors. I scheduled and cancelled it with two other doctors before starting over again to find one who I felt had the right approach to helping me. The neuromonotoring is a bonus because none of the other surgeons even mentioned it. It gives me comfort and peace of mind knowing that their is another level of oversite to assist the doctor during the surgery, and of course God in the room with me.
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3 ReactionsWhen I had my fusion of L-4-5 & S-1 I had neural monitoring. I awoke with no sciatica but had a numb right foot for nearly two years.
Spine surgery is always complicated.