Understanding surgeon speak and the different approaches to fusion

Posted by annie1 @annie1, Oct 14 12:41am

I have consulted many surgeons because I have serious concerns about having fusion since I have osteoporosis. I found out there are at least four types of fusion and I would like to understand them better and what would be the best for me. Can someone elucidate on TLIF, ALIF and XLIF ?

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htolan | @htolan | Oct 23 9:38am

Yes, I had surgery at Northwestern with Dr. Tyler Koski. My pain prior to surgery was all kinks, throbbing, stabbing, aching…It was in my back, hips IT Bands and quads. With a walker I had trouble walking. It had been getting worse in the last few years.

annie1 | @annie1 | Oct 23 11:11pm

Hello thank you for sharing your story. I was wondering what procedure did you have done? And how long has your recovery been? I might get in touch with that doctor because I do have scoliosis, osteoporosis, stenosis and spondylosis. I'm a mess.

annie1 | @annie1 | Oct 24 10:27am

In reply to @htolan "Yes, I had surgery at Northwestern with Dr. Tyler Koski. My pain prior to surgery was..." + (show)

@htolan
What procedure did you have done? Fusion and if so what type of fusion? Thanks for your answer.

htolan | @htolan | Oct 24 4:33pm

Thoracic 10 to base of spine fusion/revision.

htolan | @htolan | Oct 24 4:35pm

In reply to @htolan "Thoracic 10 to base of spine fusion/revision." + (show)

@htolan rods and screws

annie1 | @annie1 | Oct 24 7:15pm

In reply to @htolan "@htolan rods and screws" + (show)

Do you know if he did TLIF, or ALIF ? And you have Osteoporosis ? how many levels of fusion ?

Thanks,
Anne

Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | Oct 24 11:51pm

In reply to @htolan "@jenatsky I have osteoporosis and scoliosis and had back fusion 8 weeks ago. I went to..." + (show)

@htolan I'm glad to hear you are doing so well and it is early in your healing. A good surgeon makes all the difference in successful surgery and recovery, and this helps other members in hearing your story.

htolan | @htolan | Oct 25 1:06pm

In reply to @annie1 "Do you know if he did TLIF, or ALIF ? And you have Osteoporosis ? how..." + (show)

@annie1 My surgery was Thoracic T10 to pelvis revision/extensions of Posterior Spinal Fusions.
L4 Pericles Subtraction Osteotomy
L1 to L2 Smith Petersen Osteotomy
Use of Autograft, Allograft, and Bone MoRogenetic Protein.
Hope this helps. It’s the description from my surgeon.

river8 | @river8 | Oct 25 3:52pm

I am having ALIF at L5-S1 and bilateral SI joint fusion surgery in January. Also have osteoporosis, specifically in L5. Will have been on Tymlos daily injections for osteoporosis for 6 months by then. This drug doesn’t just stop bone loss, it encourages new bone growth. Better spinal fusion surgery outcomes with strong bones.

annie1 | @annie1 | Oct 25 9:09pm

In reply to @htolan "@annie1 My surgery was Thoracic T10 to pelvis revision/extensions of Posterior Spinal Fusions. L4 Pericles Subtraction..." + (show)

@htolan that sounds like a huge surgery! Are you still recovering I imagine or I think you said you could walk right away farther than you had in a long time? When did the surgery take place and I guess it sounded like it's very successful.