Transforminal Lumber Interbody Fusion (TLIF)

[Delta Expatriate]

Anyone had experience with this type of back surgery? It should be outpatient (at least that is the plan). Apparently it is not as invasive as some of the fusion surgery previously used, and should provide for a quicker recovery.

 

[Rustyt1953]

Like Schultz I know nothing but I will pray for a successful procedure and a swift recovery.

 

[Delta Expatriate]

Thank you, Rusty. I appreciate your prayers, along with all others.

 

[Alk8944]

Well, if you are talking about the spine the word is lumbar lumber is dimensional wood used in construction. You can imagine my confusion wondering about the question.

Until a few years ago one of my doctors was an Orthopedist whose specialty was Lumbar Spine. The question came up because I have a stenosis in the L4-L5 area. His advice, seriously, was to never let two types of surgeons near your spine, Orthopedists and Neurosurgeons. And, as I said, he was an orthopedist, with the specialty of lumbar spine! Repeated for emphasis.

I had a co-worker who had severe back issues who was referred to a neurosurgeon because of a church connection. I told him to at least get a 2nd opinion from my doctor, but he went ahead and allowed the first doctor to operate on him. He was left with constant severe pain!

He finally did go to my doctor who told him the first doctor had done so much there was nothing he could do to help him!

He only worked (office setting) 1-2 hours a day for a few weeks because of pain, and finally stopped completely. He never worked again, and after about 2 years I was told he had died. He was only in his late 40s! I Have always suspected suicide!

I will pray for you, but I admit I am trying to scare you! At least get a second opinion or even a third to be sure surgery is absolutely necessary before doing anything. I do wish you the best no matter what your decision!

And, no, have never had surgery on my lumbar spine! I fractured a vertebra resulting in a crushed disc. This happened when I was 14 years old, I am now 78 and have been in pain all my life, but for the time I have left I can wait it out. It should all be better soon!

 

[Rustyt1953]

Every semi-sentient sack of protoplasm here knows what the OP meant.

 

[twodog max]

I had to see a neurosurgeon about a year ago because of a cyst on the sciatic nerve where it branches from the spinal cord. He was talking fusion surgery to remove the cyst but thankfully the cyst has shrunk enough to make surgery unnecessary. The surgeon went way up on my scale of trustworthy doctors when he told me he would not do surgery as it would cause more pain than it would fix. Most uncommon!
I can literally feel your pain and sometimes one feels any change would be for the better.
Choose carefully

 

[cherrypointmarine]

I've had 3 back surgeries , 2 of which failed . The 3rd one was to implant a spinal cord stimulator . Most , if not all my discs , except for the fusion , are bulging and or herniated . Yes there's pain , which I can deal with . For me the worst part is the nerve pain . Until you've lived with it , you'll never know what it's like .

This is where the SCS comes into play , and it was a godsend . I used to eat gabapentin like it was candy , up to 1800mg a day , and that was to take the edge off , NEVER got rid of the pain . My pain Dr said to wait , they keep getting smaller and the batteries have longer life . Finally they came out with one that you can get an MRI with . I jumped on it with both feet and arms , I was ready . I now walk up to 3.5 miles with my Aussies , and am limited just from old age creeping up .

My point is , do your homework . Talk to others that have had the same surgery . Talk to the patients of the Dr.'s you are thinking of using . This is something that is major life changing . The only person looking out for you is you , and your spouse if you're married .

 

[Delta Expatriate]

Well, if you are talking about the spine the word is lumbar lumber is dimensional wood used in construction. You can imagine my confusion wondering about the question.

I apologize for the mispelling. I was looking at the brochure describing it and still mispelled it. I know better, but it happens sometimes. I usually proofread before hitting the submit button, but I missed this.

Like you, my problem is in the L4-L5 area, and involves stenosis. Apparently, as best as I can understand, the older traditional way of fustion kept you in the hospital for several days - maybe a week, and had around a year of restrictions - and it didn't always work. I have talked with someone who has had outpatient back surgery from the same doctor, and while he said he had a rough two or three days after the surgery, he was generally pleased with it. I am not sure he the same exact problem as I do. The doctor who pre-cleared me for the surgery said the recovery might be easier than the urolyft procedure I had a couple of years ago. I have looked at a few reviews on my doctor, and they have been very favorable. I hope I can hear from someone who has actually had this particular procedure, or knows somenone who has. Also, from what I can find out online, this procedure has around a 90% success rate.

I have had this problem for a couple of months, initially with a lot of pain, and very compromised mobility. I had to use a walker for several weeks, but now have graduated to using a cane - sometimes going short distances without it. The pain is not as bad as early on, but it is still there, and I have a very pronounced limp. I work as a self-employed petroleum landman and real estate title abstractor, and have missed a couple of months of work on a pretty good project (hard to pull books in a record room with this problem). I have also missed out on some other things - particularly a trip that I had planned, and has been cancelled three times during the pandemic. I wish I could retire (72) but still need to work and want to work to keep my mind active. I also would like to trade and acquire some more Smith & Wesson revolvers - and maybe take another shot at that trip, if I am still around and in fairly decent health.

As a Landman and Abstractor, I try to use due diligence, and that is what I am trying to do here. I very much appreciate your words of caution, and very much appreciate your prayers.

 

[Abbynormal]

I had a ruptured L5-S1 disc that was removed in 1995. I've had constant back aches & pain ever since.

Now arthritis is setting in and sciatic pain to boot.

Warm weather, movement and Voltarin plus other Rx's
are keeping me active.

Spring, Summer and Fall aren't too bad, but Winter sux.

 

[ladder13]

Delta

Get a second or third opinion, then get the best surgeon you can.

I went down a flight of stairs backwards, with SCBA on my back in mid 2001, herniating L4/L5, L5/S1. I hemmed and hawed for a few years, gulping down prescription meds, seeing an acupuncturist, going to PT, using a Tens unit, etc.
I knew it was no way to live but leery to have surgery hearing all the stories of failure.

Was recommended a Dr. Thomas Lee, a top notch neurosurgeon.

“Dr. Thomas T. Lee is a neurosurgeon in Tarrytown, New York and is affiliated with multiple hospitals in the area, including Mount Sinai Hospital and St. John's Riverside Hospital. He received his medical degree from David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and has been in practice for more than 20 years”

He told me he would improve my life.

I had a discectomy and laminectomy on the two discs, no fusion.
My back acts up now and then, but for the most part is vastly improved over where it was.

No metal in there, fusion is a whole other thing. Do you need to go that route?

I lift weights and do lots of cardio, all with proper form.

PM me if you like.

 

[bgrafsr]

I've had 3 or 4 lower back surgeries and one on my neck. I was told I had degenerative disc disease.
1st and 2nd surgeries were by an Orthopedic Dr., who was excellent, and he helped me immensely.
The rest of the surgeries were done by a Neurosurgeon who knew what he was doing. I have a rod and screws on my spine in L4 region, and the L5 disc, if I remember correctly, was totally removed and an artificial disc put in its place.
Last surgery was a long time ago and I do not have any problems so far. No pain to speak of at all. I'm 79.
The neck will bother me now and then, but not enough to worry about so far. I've gotten used to the cracking in my neck from moving around.

 

[jeffrefrig]

I have that spinal stenosis. I think she said 2 bulging and 3 degenerating; or the other way around. All in the lumbar area. My doctor and my orthopedic surgeons all said an operation MIGHT work for a few months/a year, but it will come back. My mom had discs fused and it didn't work for her. Neighbor friend had it done and it only lasted a year. I'm living semi-pain free with chemistry. I have curvature of the spine which may be why they won't operate.
To the OP, I hope & pray you have success.
And, by the way, neither CBD nor THC does a thing for me. Arnicare Gel actually works some when I'm out of meds or if pain's not bad enough to waste a pill on. The CBD did work on my last dog, her hips started going in her last couple years.
Sometimes I pray for another kidney stone just to mask the back pain but deep down I never want that again.

 

[Hair Trigger]

Anyone had experience with this type of back surgery? It should be outpatient (at least that is the plan). Apparently it is not as invasive as some of the fusion surgery previously used, and should provide for a quicker recovery.

Never had it done, but I've assisted on hundreds of them, as a Surgical RN. The traditional method for many years has been PLIF, which is done from a posterior approach and requires a substantial incision and tissue removal. TLIF is done from a lateral approach and can be done almost percutaneously. In any back surgery, patient need and surgeon preference and training dictates what gets done. Each approach has its benefits and risks, but TLIF should be less of a hospital stay and get you moving more quickly.

 

[crstrode]

At least get a second opinion or even a third to be sure surgery is absolutely necessary before doing anything.

And, no, have never had surgery on my lumbar spine! I fractured a vertebra resulting in a crushed disc. This happened when I was 14 years old, I am now 78 and have been in pain all my life, but for the time I have left I can wait it out.

Ditto.

Pain is my constant companion.

However, flesh and blood friends of mine that have chosen the back surgery route all, ALL, have more pain and less mobility than they did before the cutters got to them.

 

[pmanton]

I'm one of those who has had back surgery and am in constant pain.
I'm 85 and just grit my teeth and deal with it.

 

[jeffrefrig]

I'm curious how people can live with constant pain like many do. They make pain pills for a reason, and if you take them right you'd be surprised how mobility comes back. And you're not gonna end up with a cardboard sign on a street corner. I used to be pretty tough, kinda, but before I retired I HAD to do something. Now, I'm only 66 and if I make it to 80, I'm not gonna let back, knee, groin, and shoulder pain ruin my final years.
The laminectomy I had to get on the two bottom Ls, and it was worth it. But that was for sciatica and it's still okay after 5 years. I understand people are afraid of drugs like opiates because of all the kids ODing, and the govt. & media scaring the heck out of people, but used correctly and being old with common sense I think I can enjoy the few last years I have without a screwdriver being twisted into my back 24/7. But, I understand everyone is different.
Again to OP, good luck and let us know how it turns out.