Spinal Fusion

[PA Reb]

I wanted to ask if any forum members have ever undergone lumbar spinal fusion? If anyone has and cares to share the experience, I'd love to hear from them either here or in private. Did it help, not help? Bad experience or I wish I had done it sooner experiences? Many people have told me its a "last resort" option but its starting to look more and more like that's where I may be headed. While we're at it, has anyone undergone the spinal injection process to alleviate the pain?

Thanks!

 

[ordy]

What you've heard is on the money. Some get better, some get no relief and some get worse. It's a **** shoot and should be considered as a last resort. I have a bad back and a few years ago, it put me out of work for a solid month. Doctors visits, steroids by mouth and physical therapy didn't help at all. I finally went for the injections and it worked like a charm. I got the shot on Friday and was back to work on Monday. Where I went, they schedule you for a series of three injections spaced a week apart. They do it in the operating room under a twilight anesthesia. I only needed one shot. That being said, I have heard of people who it didn't work for. I'd suggest looking for a doc who specializes in pain management and discuss your options.

 

[A10]

Cervical, not lumbar. Had 6 fused, removed 4 discs. Still got some numbness from the nerve damage I suffered just before the surgery. It was get the fusion or expect to be paralysed, so I chose Option A. If there is ever an alternative to the surgery, I'd advise taking it....

 

[dcxplant]

My uncle had that done.

Complete disaster. One operation turned into three and he has less mobility and more pain than he did before.

He used a reputable surgeon, and follow up surgeries at UVA, and still had no success.

I'm not trying to persuade you one way or the other, but do a lot of research.

Best of luck.

 

[tlay]

I had an accident in 96 while flying. I broke my back along with 14 other bones. I am fused L2 to L5. I had to have another back surgery in 03 to remove one of the disks and put a titanium one in. I have a lot of nerve damage and constant pain. I have had many shots in the facets with no help. I had a spinal cord stimulator implanted that also doesn't help much.
If you don't have a lot if damage check out the spinal cord stimulator. They seem to help some people. Also check out the burning of the nerves. Helps some. If you want more info. p.m. me. I have a lot of experience with back pain.

 

[H Richard]

Done it all. I had my first ruptured disc back in mid 80's and after physical therapy and finally a CT scan (MRI's weren't readily available then) it was Diagnosed a ruptured disc L4-L5. A local neurosurgeon did the discectomy and I was good for about 12 years. pain and numbness in the left leg and then began limping and dragging my left foot. MRI's indicated a questionable area in the L4-L5 area again, with a "shadow" in the L2-L3 area. Had 3 different injections by an anesthesiologist, and the first one worked great for about 3 months then stopped working, the second shot helped for maybe 30 days and the third shot did no good at all. Neurosurgeon opened me up and found massive scar tissue around the first surgical area, and a small rupture (bulging) in the L2-L3 area which he removed. This was fine for a couple years, but continued to have numbness in the left leg and loss of strength in the leg. I finally went to another Neurosurgeon well renowned for back problems. He advised me that only a fusion was going to help (the prior surgeon also mentioned if what he did didn't help I was looking at a fusion). I had the fusion at L4-L5 and it seemed to work I had no further pain but I did have continued numbness. After putting up with this and continued weakening of my left leg, and inability to walk greater distances without resting I went to see a Orthopedic surgeon specially trained in problems of the spine. Two years ago I had a "minimally invasive" X-lif procedure that fused me from L2-L3-L4 which was already fused to L5. I have no pain. I still do have some numbness in the left leg but it is tolerable. Where I still have problems is when I tend to stand too long without moving, and the numbness continues down my leg past my knee. I just avoid any activities where I need to stand for extended times. I can just make it through about two rounds of skeet before I need to sit down for awhile.

What does this all tell you? Avoid surgery unless that is the last option. If and when you have surgery, seek out the best Neurosurgeon or specially trained spin surgeon you can find. If you live in the Midwest I can recommend one.

Good luck. Thankfully I had a desk job so I continued to work through most all of that, ( I was retired when I had the last one). If I had been any occupation where I needed to be on my feet, I would have had to go on disability

 

[Philadelphia Patriot]

I wanted to ask if any forum members have ever undergone lumbar spinal fusion? If anyone has and cares to share the experience, I'd love to hear from them either here or in private. Did it help, not help? Bad experience or I wish I had done it sooner experiences? Many people have told me its a "last resort" option but its starting to look more and more like that's where I may be headed. While we're at it, has anyone undergone the spinal injection process to alleviate the pain?

Thanks!

I noticed you have the LEO badge next to your username. Let me guess, lots of years of wearing a duty belt and sitting in a patrol car all day? I did security through college. I saw a chirporactor to stretch and crack me. My problem was my hamstrings were tugging on my lower back because I sat on my butt all day long. However, I will acknowledge my duty belt wasn't setup perfectly (I had my cuff case and medical glove pouch, and radio near my 5 through 8 o'clock positions). My buddies who are cops try to keep nothing near their backs either. I also know a guy who was issued a G22 w/ trl1 attached to it. The low riding duty holster caused him to lean more towards his support side while driving, and he had to see a doctor too. Also don't keep your wallet in your back pocket. Sitting in a patrol car (if you're a cop, or even in a truck if you're a deliveryman, etc.) can mess up your back too.

 

[Fishinfool]

PA REB

I have two degenerated disks that used to cause me serious back pain, spreading down to my legs, to the point where sometimes I could only walk 100 yards before I had to just sit down to alleviate the pain. Once I was about a mile in the woods hunting when it flared up, and I wasn't sure I was going to get back out.

Several Dr.'s mentioned surgery, but both said it pretty much follows the rules of thirds - 1/3 get better, 1/3 feel no improvement, and 1/3 get worse.

I was 6'3 and 300 lbs at the time. My regular Dr. recommended trying weight loss, as it would reduce the curvature / stress on my spine. I dropped my weight to 240, and it has made a big improvement. My back rarely acts up anymore, and when it does, no where near as bad as before. So, weight loss may be something to try, if that is an issue in your case. Good luck in whatever you decide. People who have never experienced back problems have no idea how painful it can be.

Larry

 

[tops]

I wouldn't have anything done as long as you can stay up walking. When you can't get up and move you don't have anything to lose. That is the way I did it and I think that is still the way to go. I can't remember the disc letters and numbers but it was 3 disc in the lower part of my back. They cut my back and stomach so they could get to both sides of my spine and they told me they used some of my bone, some dead person bone and some bolts and metal. I was up walking in a couple of days but I had to wear a brace for about 6 mos. That was 8 yrs. ago and I am glad I had it done. Larry

 

[4011]

Had the injections and they didn't help. Know a man that had the new style fusion and he was up and going in four weeks. PAIN free.

 

[bgrafsr]

I have had 6 or 7 surgeries for herniated discs, both lumbar and neck. The last one I had the Dr. removed the disc completely and put an artificial disc in, then used a titanium plate and screws to reinforce the area. I left the hospital the next day with little to no pain.

A couple of years later I was getting pain again and went to see the Dr. He told me that due to all the scar tissue I had, he was very reluctant to operate on me again, and suggested I try the injections. I had two and have had no problems since. I don't have the limberness I once had and at times it is difficult to put my socks on and tie my shoes, but so far I can do it without help. I'm 70 years old.

 

[WuzzFuzz]

Reb,

My take on it is darn near identical to B Graf's post....As others have posted too, do what you can to relieve the pain. One day, you'll come to the conclusion all that stuff hasn't helped. So then...you'll know what you need to do...

Medicine today, is a far, far cry from what they did for me years back...Some is almost magic, as far as I'm concerned.

I just can't give any advise...not even a wise crack. Only empathy..

WuzzFuzz

 

[PA Reb]

I noticed you have the LEO badge next to your username. Let me guess, lots of years of wearing a duty belt and sitting in a patrol car all day? I did security through college. I saw a chirporactor to stretch and crack me. My problem was my hamstrings were tugging on my lower back because I sat on my butt all day long. However, I will acknowledge my duty belt wasn't setup perfectly (I had my cuff case and medical glove pouch, and radio near my 5 through 8 o'clock positions). My buddies who are cops try to keep nothing near their backs either. I also know a guy who was issued a G22 w/ trl1 attached to it. The low riding duty holster caused him to lean more towards his support side while driving, and he had to see a doctor too. Also don't keep your wallet in your back pocket. Sitting in a patrol car (if you're a cop, or even in a truck if you're a deliveryman, etc.) can mess up your back too.

No sir, that's not what caused the initial problem. In 1988 and for a long time previous to that, I was working in a big steel foundry and I blew L4-5 out the side as I was carrying and then trying to place what we called a chill which weighed about 275 pounds. Back then, I thought I was a big tough guy that could do anything. I found out the opposite in the blink of an eye!

Thanks very much to all that offered opinions. Right now, all my lumbar discs starting at the "S" level are bulged or herniated. MRI looks like the remnants of a train wreck and severe spinal stenosis is present. I've had to stop working and apply for benefits so it has been a life changing experience since November. I guess I'll do what I can, think seriously about the injections and go from there. Again, thanks to all!

 

[A10]

Wishing you the best Reb. It seems like back pain is a way of life for a bunch of us here!

The older I get, the more my scars hurt.....

 

[Cintiballer]

Oct 2001 L5-S1

I had it at age 35 and after six month of body cast and therapy I was back to playing golf, riding bike and within one year, back to playing baseball. To this day, I have had no issues with my back, knock on wood. I used an orthopedic surgeon that was very well respected. It was a last resort for my degenerative disk issues. As for the epidurals, they never helped me very much and they only mask the pain anyways.
It sucks either way, but if I had to do it again I would not hesitate. I talked to numerous people when I was deciding, good and bad, nobody can guarantee success, but if you choose not to do it you can guarantee continued pain. It is a quality of life decision. Recovery was not bad at all. I have a desk job basically and was out of the office for about 4-5 weeks.
Good luck man.

 

[BrianE]

My wife had a lower lumbar spinal fusion 2 Octobers ago. She had a removable cast, used a walker the. Just a cain, etc for about 6 months, along with therapy and she's up and at 'em now. Theres definitely going to be restrictions like if theres an unknown that could happen to you (ie: white water tubing) try to avoid it. She has hardware in there now that did get sore on occasion, but haven't heard much complaints in awhile. And remember that once you have a surgery like that the discs above or below take more of the duty and you may need another fusion 15-20 years down the road. It'd take me awhile to type out all details on my phone here, but short story is... only due it if theres no options, find the best Dr. (we drove 2 hours every appt, etc and back), avoid the pain pump (its what they can do for the pain instead of the surgery, but you get used to it later on and... blah. Its surgecly installed... I would), due what youre told for recovery, stay positive because it can get frustrating and understand you may not be able to do all the things you once could (possible you can and maybe cannot). Hopefully you have someone at home to help as I know I had a lot of extra duties and I was getting burned out and no sleep.

Good luck to ya... Just be sure you do your homework 1st.

 

[4011]

As you said. Why not try the injections. Some people have had a huge help from them. They don't hurt. I only passed out from the first set. I'm a white coat coward.

 

[DaGOOSExyz]

I know nothing on the subject but wanted to wish you best of luck
no matter what you decide to do.

 

[Jebus35745]

Last spring the Doc sent my wife for the pain injections, had 3 and didn't touch the pain in her legs. Had the back surgery in August and never felt better. Very little after surgery pain, her therapy was walking and wow did we walk. Good luck, hope you come to pease with the pain and your decision. Larry

 

[finesse_r]

I had a fusion in my neck and then several years later a fusion in my lower back. Back then they cut a hunk of bone out of your hip to make the fusion material.

Today I think they use cadaver bone to grind up and use to fuse. That is good the hip pain was almost as bad as the fusion area.

the Neck was in good shape in 6 months. The lower back took a lot longer in my case. Today I feel pretty good. I have some restricted movement, and I still can't sit in one position for too long with out irritating a nerve. But 98 percent of the pain is gone and I move about freely and do what ever I need to do.

The surgeries were life savers for me.

 

[gfy1960]

I was 6'3 and 300 lbs at the time. My regular Dr. recommended trying weight loss, as it would reduce the curvature / stress on my spine. I dropped my weight to 240, and it has made a big improvement. My back rarely acts up anymore, and when it does, no where near as bad as before. So, weight loss may be something to try, if that is an issue in your case. Good luck in whatever you decide. People who have never experienced back problems have no idea how painful it can be.

Larry

May I inquire as to how you lost the weight? I'm 6' and 350. I hurt so bad after work I can't move to exercise much. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks Mike

 

[Fishinfool]

May I inquire as to how you lost the weight? I'm 6' and 350. I hurt so bad after work I can't move to exercise much. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks Mike

Hello Mike

For me, the weight crept up slowly, 5lbs. a year. Long hours and a lot of time traveling in my LEO job meant lots of fast food.

I eventually just decided to get on a diet, and stick with it. Being that I had just retired helped a lot as well. Amazing how many calories you can cut just by drinking, say, diet iced tea compared to regular. Lots of grilled skinless chicken breast and salads, along with healthy breakfasts, like cereal with fresh fruit instead of eggs, sausage, and home fries. A 6oz grilled Top Round steak, along with a salad, diet iced tea, and corn on the cobb is half the calories and fat as a 10 oz ribeye, baked potato with butter, and a soft drink, and tastes just as good.

Key is to pick to a diet you can stay with long term. Starving yourself works in the short term, but you won't be able to maintain it. 20 lbs a month is easy if you cut your calories in half (not hard to do - read labels), and exercise a little. I like riding my bicycle, maybe 6 or 7 miles a day, weather permitting.

If you make a plan, read labels, and stick with it, you'll do fine. Good luck.

Larry

 

[Beemerguy53]

I wanted to ask if any forum members have ever undergone lumbar spinal fusion? If anyone has and cares to share the experience, I'd love to hear from them either here or in private. Did it help, not help? Bad experience or I wish I had done it sooner experiences? Many people have told me its a "last resort" option but its starting to look more and more like that's where I may be headed. While we're at it, has anyone undergone the spinal injection process to alleviate the pain?

Thanks!

I bulged the L4/L5 disc in 2000, and got it back in place with physical therapy...but the surgeon I saw told me that eventually he would need to operate.

For a decade I went to physical therapy, had nerve blocks done, did exercises, and saw a chiropractor...all of which helped to some degree. But finally, in the fall of 2010, the disc ruptured, and I had no alternative but surgery, done in early 2011.

The operation is called a laminectomy (removal of deteriorated bone in the spine) and discectomy (removal of the ruptured disc material). My surgeon did not install any hardware in my spine. When I woke up in the recovery room, I was shocked: I was totally pain-free for the first time in years. It was like a light switch had been turned off!

In June 2011 I ruptured the same disc again (by slouching in a chair) and had to undergo another discectomy. I watch my posture now, and have had no problems since...

Nobody can make the decision for you on whether to have this surgery, but it worked out very well for me. Good luck to you...

 

[fat tom]

I only needed one shot. That being said, I have heard of people who it didn't work for. I'd suggest looking for a doc who specializes in pain management and discuss your options.

Yep. I'm one of 'em. First shot gave me SOME relief for about a week. Second one did nothing. No way I'm havin' spinal fusion! Like a previous poster said,"It's a crapshoot." I'm in varying degrees of pain at all times,but I've managed to function for 3 years. My surgeon said I might as well learn to live with it,so I have. Old age ain't for sissies.
f.t.