Anyone know anything about spinal fusion? Benefits ?? Don't do it?
I have read about 2 types. The first is the entry to repair is from the front and recovery about 4-6 weeks. The other entry to repair from the back and recovery about 6- 9 months.
Answers:
had this done in jan this year has the L4,L5,S1 fused, prior to the surgery i tried everything i dreaded having it heard so many horror stories so i tried everything and put this off for many years . in the end i couldnt walk sit down or stand i was sleep deprived very irritable and in constant pain. i was taking tylenol 4 every 2 hours almost 24 hours a day.
i caved and took the surgery
three hours after comming out of the surgery i awoke (6 hours sooner than anyone thought i would) and got out of bed half asleep to go to the bathroom, yanks out a drain and an IV before i realised where i was. then i noticed i was upright and had no pain.
once i was hooked up again i walked around and got something to drink i was so thirsty and after 6 hours i went to bed.
i thought to myself this is so going to hurt when the anesthetic wears off, but i never took anymore painlillers after that. it was uncomfortable and very stiff and sore but nothing compared to the pain before hand. after 6 months of doing nothing i started physio and that hurt alot i mean alot it brought tears to my eyes a few times, i would describe the pain at times similar to pre op
now 7 1/2 months later i am back at work i have some restrictions in movement and some in lifting but as time goes by i should regain more stregth so i can lift weight again in the region i used to.
my job,.. i am a licenced plumber and gas fitter and i love it they tried to retrain me but i was adamant i was going to go back to what i loved to do and i have done.
yes its scary yes its going to be uncomfortable , yes you are going to have to learn to wake up and roll over in bed( i pulled one screw losse the first week home because i rolled over in my sleep) all i can suggest is do what you think is right.
mine entry was thru the back i have scar about 9" long i had the disc removed and a bone graft put in. i opted for the false bone since i did not want to have the bone removed from my hip to put in. if this does happen add another 3 to 6 months to recover. always try to keep mobile dont let your body stiffen up and dont ever forget you have had this done
you will learn to think about everything you do before you do it because the first few times you dont your back lets you know very painfully
good luck on the decision hope what ever you choose is the right choice for you
Of course every case is different. I would suggest you get at least 2 opinions. One should be from a University teaching hospital if at all possible.
My wife had fusion surgery T3 to S1. The anterior (front) approach followed by the posterior (rear) approach 1 week later. A month in the hospital and several months of recovery. She is now able to stand, walk and carry on a normal life. Before the surgery she was unable to stand up, walk more than a few feet at a time and was in constant pain (morphine 4 times a day and Percoset for when the morphine wasn't strong enough. It was worth it for her as she can now hold our newest granddaughter and play with the other two.
well its a two way street people had it done and its the best thing and others still complain about the back.. only u and your doctor can make that call
HI Mary!
No one can tell you. BUT Read and study everything. My husband had t12 fusion with ribectomy and taitanium cage put in.
His life will never be the same. He had inter-costal blocks for pain and because of them developed avascular neucrosis and had to have total hip replacement. lives in constant pain.
Everyone has a story. Good Luck!
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