Urgently need info on 'Spinal Fusion' operation. Experienced surgical knowledge would be huge help please.
I have just been told in very hazy brief terms by my Orthopaedic Specialist that I shall require a 'Spinal Fusion' to correct Spondylolisthesis of the 5th lumbar vertebrae region. The two vertrebrae are literally rubbing on each other, the disc in between being degenerated. Have been suffering for a year with pain and can walk a littlle, stand and lie, but am unable to sit. He basically said that the op would involve inserting screws to keep the vertebrae straight, but would alleviate further mobility of these discs, and hopefully rid me of pain and enable me to sit. He was in such a rush that I was not enabled to further question him about the risks, pros and cons of this seemingly radical op, but he did say that he didn't think I was eligible for less intrusive surgery. A friend in Germany says that her mother had the same diagnosis and was given two artificial vertebrae with excellent results. Please can anyone out there with surgical knowledge of this op please inform me further?
Answers:
Spinal fusion surgery: View a live operation
http://www.privatehealth.co.uk/hospitalt...
Spinal Fusion for the Lumbar Spine
Patients with degenerative spinal disease may require spinal fusion surgery to stabilize the vertebrae and to alleviate severe, chronic back pain. Spinal fusion involves correcting an unstable part of the spine by joining two or more vertebrae. Traditionally, spinal fusion is performed as open surgery, and while it has been associated with a low complication rate and pain relief for 90% of patients, many patients report experiencing back pain and fatigue as a result of muscle loss that can occur following surgery.
Laparoscopic spinal fusion is a minimally invasive alternative. The lower spinal vertebrae are repaired through an incision directly over the spine (posterior lumbar approach.) The upper spinal vertebrae are repaired through an incision in the back or side of the neck (cervical spine). The middle spinal vertebrae are repaired through an incision made in the chest and abdomen (anterior thoracic spine). The abnormal or injured vertebrae are repaired and stabilized with bone grafts, metal rods or both. The numerous benefits to this approach include reduced time in the hospital and a faster recovery.
http://www.gwhospital.com/p13258.html...
more complete info:
http://www.webmd.com/back-pain/spinal-fu...
Don't expect a big lecture from your specialist.
Once you are scheduled for surgery, the best to expect is that they might put you in a room with a video tape about your problem and let you learn from that.
It sound like you are well informed.
The risks to this surgical procedure are those of almost any other surgery:
Infection, bleeding, failure, need for further surgeries, more specific to the area, paralysis.
However these are risks, which your doctor should make you aware in a written consent that you would have to sign before the procedure.
Now, you must do your homework and find out your surgeon's success rate, ask to speak to other patients who underwent the same or similar procedures, and get an idea of who you are dealing with. Then you make your decision.
I had An Anterior Cervical Fusion Operation in 2002 .Although it was in my neck at C3- They took a piece of bone from my hip and fused it into my spine. The consultant will explain the risks to you.LISTEN CAREFULLY it carries a considerable risk.I was left with minor damage to my spinal cord which had happened before the op. After the successfull op it is up to YOU how mobile you want to be. You will get rigorous physio but it's a case of no pain no gain.Remember mate ask questions ,but it ain't' gonna get better on it's own !!
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Answers:
Spinal fusion surgery: View a live operation
http://www.privatehealth.co.uk/hospitalt...
Spinal Fusion for the Lumbar Spine
Patients with degenerative spinal disease may require spinal fusion surgery to stabilize the vertebrae and to alleviate severe, chronic back pain. Spinal fusion involves correcting an unstable part of the spine by joining two or more vertebrae. Traditionally, spinal fusion is performed as open surgery, and while it has been associated with a low complication rate and pain relief for 90% of patients, many patients report experiencing back pain and fatigue as a result of muscle loss that can occur following surgery.
Laparoscopic spinal fusion is a minimally invasive alternative. The lower spinal vertebrae are repaired through an incision directly over the spine (posterior lumbar approach.) The upper spinal vertebrae are repaired through an incision in the back or side of the neck (cervical spine). The middle spinal vertebrae are repaired through an incision made in the chest and abdomen (anterior thoracic spine). The abnormal or injured vertebrae are repaired and stabilized with bone grafts, metal rods or both. The numerous benefits to this approach include reduced time in the hospital and a faster recovery.
http://www.gwhospital.com/p13258.html...
more complete info:
http://www.webmd.com/back-pain/spinal-fu...
Don't expect a big lecture from your specialist.
Once you are scheduled for surgery, the best to expect is that they might put you in a room with a video tape about your problem and let you learn from that.
It sound like you are well informed.
The risks to this surgical procedure are those of almost any other surgery:
Infection, bleeding, failure, need for further surgeries, more specific to the area, paralysis.
However these are risks, which your doctor should make you aware in a written consent that you would have to sign before the procedure.
Now, you must do your homework and find out your surgeon's success rate, ask to speak to other patients who underwent the same or similar procedures, and get an idea of who you are dealing with. Then you make your decision.
I had An Anterior Cervical Fusion Operation in 2002 .Although it was in my neck at C3- They took a piece of bone from my hip and fused it into my spine. The consultant will explain the risks to you.LISTEN CAREFULLY it carries a considerable risk.I was left with minor damage to my spinal cord which had happened before the op. After the successfull op it is up to YOU how mobile you want to be. You will get rigorous physio but it's a case of no pain no gain.Remember mate ask questions ,but it ain't' gonna get better on it's own !!
The information post by website user , Helpde.com not guarantee correctness.