Re: Spinal Lumbar Fusion Surgery

Sage04 · ‎07-10-2011

@Bubby Mommy wrote:
Thanks everyone for your advice and suggestions. I am going to do my research and think long and hard before I jump into any major surgery. I will speak with many doctors and get their opinions. In the meantime, I will continue with my pain meds.

XOXO

@Bubby Mommy not the same surgery but Cervical Spine Fusion. #3-#4 and then #6-#7 a year later. Everything went perfectly. If I had listened to some people, I would never, never have done it. I'm the one that was in terrible pain and just couldn't take it anymore.

I have four screws and a titanium plate for each surgery.

Maybe once or twice a year I take Garbapentin because of something I might do wrong to cause some pain, otherwise I'm glad the horrible pain is gone.

If I were you I would see a Neurosurgeon. Listen to your heart. No one can help you with the pain. I've always had a high tolerance for pain but many times I cried, couldn't walk because it travelled all the way down to my toes. Couldn't take it anymore.

It's major sugery and that's what people I knew told me (as if I didn't know). Both surgery was at 7 in morning and by noon the next day I was at home in my bed. No pain whatsoever.

Sage04 · ‎07-10-2011

@calexand wrote:
First off every surgery is different as is everyone's diagnosis.

I've had two spinal surgeries due to congenital spinal stenosis.

The first a C5/6 fusion using a piece of my hip bone was a success. The second, 10 years later was a L3.4.5.with 12 rods and screws. It wasn't a success I woke from surgery with L5 nerve damage that has never corrected itself.

My surgeon was Chief of Neuro Surgery and did both surgeries.

Look at the statistics for Multilevel fusion surgeries. There is lots of information on Spinal health and other websites.

@calexand mine were C3-C4 and C6-C7. Both my Neurosurgeons used cadaver bones and titanium plates and screws. The first Neurosurgeon said that years ago they took a bone from your hip but they realized that it caused the patient more pain and took a while to heal so I was so happy they weren't done that way.

I must say there is nothing worse than nerve pain because you never know when it would give you some relief. Hope you are not in too much pain.

Sage04 · ‎07-10-2011

@chrystaltree wrote:
I'll tell you what a doctor recently told me about something different. He said ignore the horror stories people will be anxious to tell you and don't do a Google search. I'm glad you are going to see a neurosurgeon. I know that disc procedure you are talking about was almost always done by neurosurgeons. But orthopods can do them too. If you are in agony, it's definitely time for you to consider surgery. Pain is robbing you of your life and peace of mind. There have been enormous advances in spinal surgeries today. They are common and safe. I personally know of only one person who had a discectomy with rod placement. My friend's dad and he was 80 when he had it done two years ago. He was only in the hospital for 2 or 3 days. He recovered at her house for 2 weeks. Àfter that she said he was a new man. The pain was gone and he got his life back. He doesn't need a cane anymore which she said makes him very happy.

@chrystaltree and that's the problem. The person who is in pain listens to the people who don't know what the pain is like. I was too stubbon to listen to anyone but my Neurosurgeons. I must say I was not scared at all. I wanted to be rid of the pain.

CatsyCline · ‎07-24-2013

Find the BEST neurosurgeon you can. i have had 2 lumbar (L5-S1)(L3,4) surgeries; fusion, cage, cadaver bone... and a C-spine (C-2,3) fusion, screws (also a THR)

make sure to write down and ask them a LOT of questions. went to an Orthopedic for my hip, but for my spine no question, had to be Neurosurgeon.

hckynutjohn · ‎06-15-2015

@Bubby Mommy

A good friend of mine is an Orthopedic Micro Surgeon. He does many surgeries similar, to what you've described, regularly. I believe he told me he does some of them microscopically.

He also is my back surgeon. I have had 2 back surgeries. First one removed my ruptured L-5/S-1 discs. The second was to remove my ruptured L-3 disc.

He said, depending on the patient, he uses titanium or from cadavers, when doing Fusions.

Too many like to make cutting a finger into a horror story when clotting and putting on a bandage was about it. Spinal surgeries aren't like getting your teeth cleaned, but I have had 2, and if another is necessary, I won't hesitate. My surgeries did not prevent me from living my active lifestyle, which included playing ice hockey and running Full Marathon Races.

Best wishes with whatever you decide.

hckynut(john)🥅🏒 🇺🇸

hckynut(john)

patbz · ‎03-10-2010

DH has a spinal inplant that stimulates the spinal column and relieves much but not all of his back pain (was "only" $160,000, completely covered by insurance).He was offered the spinal fusion surgery but we declined. He still takes medications such as morphine, so his issues are many.

Ro340 · ‎01-11-2011

Hi. Yes, I had a spinal fusion and laminectomy in June 2021. Best thing I did. I had 5 opinions and after trying everything out there that was minimally invasive with no relief, decided it was time for surgery. I was also told I would be in a wheelchair within 2 years without surgery and would be in constant pain. After much thought and research, I decided on a neurosurgeon. It was a difficult recovery but it was worth it. I went into it knowing I will never be 100% but I would be happy with 80-85% relief from pain and being able to do most of what I could do before. I know at least 6 people that had this surgery and everyone had different recoveries, but none regretted the surgery. I wish you the best and hope you do what is right for you.

gabstoomuch · ‎03-16-2010

Watch a lot of You Tubes. There are so many doctors who now have channels and have webinars explaining almost every sort of surgery there is.

One thing I do know is that anyone who has back surgery ends up with adjacent disk disease. Once areas of the spine are removed, it sends the weight load off to the adjacent vertebrae. Depending on your age, as it takes time to cause trouble in the adjacent disks, it is sometimes worth the risk.

If I was 30 I would never touch my back.

Deuk Spine Institute airs all their back surgeries live on You Tube. They have developed a way to fix the disks or damaged vertebrae arthroscopically. It is fascinating, and he educates you while he is working. It is not gory or anything. Great doctor, really smart. Only problem is he does not take insurance. A lot of Drs are going to cash basis. Anyway, he does amazing laser disk surgeries where you go in the morning and you walk out late afternoon. Guide wires in through the disk, high speed laser to remove disk (or add whatever they are adding for support, 2 stitches and done.

Anyway, do research on exactly what they are doing and then interview doctors that do exactly THAT kind of surgery.

calexand · ‎02-08-2022

My C5/6 fusion was done well over 30 years ago. Times and techniques have changed dramatically over the years. Yes, the pain from the hip where the bone was removed hurt more than my neck but the surgery was a great success. Having my own bone just insured no rejections.

Glad that you had a successful surgery.

Bubby Mommy · ‎03-10-2010

Thanks again, everyone. Just an update.....I saw the orthopedic surgeon and a neurosurgeon and they both agreed on my diagnosis and my need for the lumbar fusion surgery. It will not solve all my back problems, but it will aid in relieving much of my pain, and it will prevet further deterioration of the spine. They also both said that I don't need to have it done immediately, but "I am close." I will know when it's time for me, and I won't wait until I am too "far down the road." So for now I will take a "wait and see" attitude, but I do know what's on the horizon.