Who has had successful fusion surgery that has osteoporosis?

Anyone had ALIF with osteoporetis? I wàs told by a surgeon I need ALIF but another one said it is risky with osteoporosis . Any experience?

I have severe osteoporosis, -4.3 on Dexa. I also have degenerative disc disease and arthritis. I’m 62 and had a compression fracture on L1. I just had L1-L5 fusion. This went went well then I started having pain again. I’m now getting RFA from paint and it seems to be working!!

@shirleyhibb26 - just wanting to be sure I and other members understand your meaning. Are you saying radiofrequency ablation from paint?

Yes RFA - Radiofrequency Ablation
I did the first of two tests- just numbing agent and I got 8 hours pain free. Do the 2nd one in 2 weeks
Then if all goes well then the actual ablation in April !! I’m hopeful!! I’ve been in severe pain since L1-L5 fusion in October!

Hi Shirley, I too was recently diagnosed with severe osteoporosis and severe ddd. I see a spine specialist on Monday however I can’t get into an endocrinologist till May. Are you taking any medication for your osteoporosis?
Hope you get some relief soon!

Hi im due my Alif any day im desperate to get this dont it was from the back now its changed to an Alif ive been fkd about for years

@shirleyhibb26
From what I understand the ablation is only good for back pain I don't have back pain I only have pain in my legs so they won't do it for me. Where is your pain? Did you say it worked for you?

My back is fused L1-L5 and the pain is the S1 joint. I have gone thru the first of 2 tests and hopeful it will work for me. Sorry that isn’t going to work for you.

@mika86753099 I also had a diagnosis of severe osteoporosis and severe DDD. My rheumatologist has been on me for years to take medication for my bones. I rejected because of all the side effects....until he said I could no longer go without doing "something." I started the Forteo injections almost two years ago. My spine has improved greatly and now I'm considered to have osteopenia, not osteoporosis. I am so thankful I did the injections because I now need back surgery. My spine is so compressed with stenosis that I can no longer wait for back surgery. I don't think any doctor would have touched me if I had not started the injections. It was a scary choice, but the right choice.

@annie1 yes I have just had an ALIF L4/5 . I also have osteoporosis -4.2 L3. Op went well had a stand alone cage with two screws. I am four months post op now. I am 75 and female. Small bones. I also suffer chronic fatigue do my recovery is very slow and depressing so far. My problem was always sacroiliac dysfunction either nerve pain and that has been worsened by the extra load from the stretching of the spine. It’s an individual decision so all I can say is do not go into it lightly . Try everything else first.