Will my mobility be severely impaired by another spinal fusion?
I am looking at prospect of needing another spinal fusion of my lumbar area of my back. Two years ago I had fusion done at L-4 L-5 level after severe disc herniation. I am now out from work due to disc at level L-5 S-1 having degenerated severely and now collapsed. I work in housekeeping at a busy hospital, and there is lots of bending, lifting, twisting involved with my work. I was able to return yo work with some restriction in bending after first fusion. But that may have contributed to my current problem now.I want to know if my movements will be even greater after this next surgery, and will I be able to even work at my present job, performing same work. What are limitations of this number of spinal fusions? I am male, 45 yrs. old.
Answers:
My husband is 47 years old and has had two back surgeries (at L-5 and L-6) for degenerative disc disease. He is employed as a certified mechanic and licensed smog tech. During the first surgery, they removed 2 discs and inserted a plastic "cage" in the space where the 2 discs were removed, which they secured to his spine with 4 screws. After this surgery, he was off work for approximately 6 months, and had to walk with a walker for the first month following his surgery, after which time he was able to return to his usual job. One year later, he had another surgery, as a couple of the screws from his first surgery had backed out, and the neurosurgeon also made some adjustments to the cage attached to his spine. Unfortunately, he developed a staff infection around one of the screws and after surgery, he was sent home with an infusion pump, to which he had to be hooked up to twice a day for approximately 2 hours each time to receive antibotics. After this surgery, he was off work for approximatel 2-3 months, before returning to his normal job. He has been able to eliminate approximately 75-80% of his back pain with these 2 surgeries, although he still has pain from time to time and some numbness in one foot. When he gets home from work, he fills the bathtub up with hot water, adds about 1 cup of Epsom salts, and soaks in the bathtub for about 30 minutes. He finds this helps his back. He is fine doing his normal job, as long as he doesn't have to do alot of pushing and pulling (such as pulling out an engine or transmission). If he has to do alot of bending, he finds that wearing a back brace helps. The only work restriction he has right now is that he is not supposed to lift over 50 lbs.With your job, I would think that the bending, lifting (depending on how many pounds you are required to lift) and twisting could be an issue. You could be right, the bending, lifting and twisting could have contributed to your current problem. Talk with your doctor/neuorsergeon to see what your work restrictions will be after your second surgery. Best of luck to you.
I am an old x-ray tech. I would think your movement will decrease. You may not be able to do that job. Ask your physician. Get you a set down desk job and grow fat and bossy.
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Answers:
My husband is 47 years old and has had two back surgeries (at L-5 and L-6) for degenerative disc disease. He is employed as a certified mechanic and licensed smog tech. During the first surgery, they removed 2 discs and inserted a plastic "cage" in the space where the 2 discs were removed, which they secured to his spine with 4 screws. After this surgery, he was off work for approximately 6 months, and had to walk with a walker for the first month following his surgery, after which time he was able to return to his usual job. One year later, he had another surgery, as a couple of the screws from his first surgery had backed out, and the neurosurgeon also made some adjustments to the cage attached to his spine. Unfortunately, he developed a staff infection around one of the screws and after surgery, he was sent home with an infusion pump, to which he had to be hooked up to twice a day for approximately 2 hours each time to receive antibotics. After this surgery, he was off work for approximatel 2-3 months, before returning to his normal job. He has been able to eliminate approximately 75-80% of his back pain with these 2 surgeries, although he still has pain from time to time and some numbness in one foot. When he gets home from work, he fills the bathtub up with hot water, adds about 1 cup of Epsom salts, and soaks in the bathtub for about 30 minutes. He finds this helps his back. He is fine doing his normal job, as long as he doesn't have to do alot of pushing and pulling (such as pulling out an engine or transmission). If he has to do alot of bending, he finds that wearing a back brace helps. The only work restriction he has right now is that he is not supposed to lift over 50 lbs.With your job, I would think that the bending, lifting (depending on how many pounds you are required to lift) and twisting could be an issue. You could be right, the bending, lifting and twisting could have contributed to your current problem. Talk with your doctor/neuorsergeon to see what your work restrictions will be after your second surgery. Best of luck to you.
I am an old x-ray tech. I would think your movement will decrease. You may not be able to do that job. Ask your physician. Get you a set down desk job and grow fat and bossy.
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