Spinal fusion

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jaws7777

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Anyone have it done or know anyone that had it done ? Did it help or make things better ?

Im told that i need a 2 level lumbar fusion (L4-L5 and L5-S1)
 
Jeez,good luck bro.
 
I deal with neurosurgery patients regularly. Its typically successful, but of course, the degree of success varies from patients to patients.

Nobody wants to have this done, but chances are, things will likely just get worst if you do nothing. My wife's aunt finally had this done after putting it off for years until the pain completely affected her quality of life. Now, she wished she'd done it years ago.

My best advice is to do your research and find a notable surgeon
 
My wife had that done nine years ago. Same ones you mentioned L4-L5 and L5-S1. Overall it's better than before ( pain wise ) although there are still good days and bad days. The biggest issue is with her digestive system. One surgeon removes your guts from the front so the orthopedic can get in and remove the discs and install the cages and bone fragments, then the first surgeon stuffs your guts back in and close you up. Then the orthopedic can install the hardware from the back side to hold all your vertebrae in place. The problem, at least with my wife is that all your guts don't go back exactly how/where they were before causing some intestinal issues. Like I said overall it's a lot better than before but not perfect. Best of luck to you, if you have any specific questions let me know and I'll ask my wife. Also I've done a lot of work for a group of orthopedic surgeons and know them on somewhat of a personal level, so I may be able to answer those questions as well.
 
If the pain in ur back is that bad and cannot be controlled with pain meds then fusion should be considered.

Can get premature arthritis and can't undo fusion.
 
Thx for the replies guys. And yeah i have tons of questions lol johnny potatoes johnny potatoes

So i had back surgery about 3 yrs ago. Just cleaned up the herniated discs i think it was a laminotomy and farminotomy. The surgeon wasnt too optomistic that it woul fix the problem long term. Needless to say a few injuries later and all the burning in my legs is getting out of control again
I had orthoscopic hip surgery in DEC and my god it mad everything worse. Allot of pain in the back and both legs as well as scar tissue left in my hip.

I know co-workers that have had cervical fusions and they were much better after the surgery. Another co-worker had a lumbar fusion and he says he regrets it that the pain moved to both sides of his legs.

Soo im really confused.
 
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johnny potatoes said:
My wife had that done nine years ago. Same ones you mentioned L4-L5 and L5-S1. Overall it's better than before ( pain wise ) although there are still good days and bad days. The biggest issue is with her digestive system. One surgeon removes your guts from the front so the orthopedic can get in and remove the discs and install the cages and bone fragments, then the first surgeon stuffs your guts back in and close you up. Then the orthopedic can install the hardware from the back side to hold all your vertebrae in place.
Click to expand...

What your wife had is referred to as an anterior and posterior approach. This is usually the preference of the surgeon. I work with 2 neurosurgeons: one does all his cases via the anterior and posterior approach, while the other predominately uses the posterior approach....only using the anterior approach if the posterior vertebra structures are healthy.
 
johnny potatoes said:
My wife had that done nine years ago. Same ones you mentioned L4-L5 and L5-S1. Overall it's better than before ( pain wise ) although there are still good days and bad days. The biggest issue is with her digestive system. One surgeon removes your guts from the front so the orthopedic can get in and remove the discs and install the cages and bone fragments, then the first surgeon stuffs your guts back in and close you up. Then the orthopedic can install the hardware from the back side to hold all your vertebrae in place. The problem, at least with my wife is that all your guts don't go back exactly how/where they were before causing some intestinal issues. Like I said overall it's a lot better than before but not perfect. Best of luck to you, if you have any specific questions let me know and I'll ask my wife. Also I've done a lot of work for a group of orthopedic surgeons and know them on somewhat of a personal level, so I may be able to answer those questions as well.
Click to expand...
Yuck. I stopped reading. Good luck OP.
 
xraycer said:
What your wife had is referred to as an anterior and posterior approach. This is usually the preference of the surgeon. I work with 2 neurosurgeons: one does all his cases via the anterior and posterior approach, while the other predominately uses the posterior approach....only using the anterior approach if the posterior vertebra structures are healthy.
Click to expand...

We just looked over an mri i had done on my lumbar region that was taken a few months after the hip surgey and i forgot the exact terminology the dr used but what he said is not only are we dealing with the re-herniated discs but part of the spine is unstable and slipped off. Also these were work related injuries. Not sure if that mattere

My physical therapist feels that its a 50/50 shot because of all the hip issues im having
 
I would say get a 2nd opinion. Cause it sounds like there is compression of the nerves in ur back.

Did the surgeon say you need to have a laminectomy as well? Since ur having leg symptoms.
 
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