Lumbar spinal fusion - did you get pain relief?
My husband is 60 yr old, and has some degenerated and somewhat dried out discs, with some a herniated disc. Doc has suggested a spinal fusion. Every surgery has it's side effects, and we have to decide whether the surgery is worth it.
Please share your experience.
Get more than one opinion from reputable neurosurgeons. I had spinal surgery a couple of years ago (it did not involve fusion, though) and it did nothing but make my back pain worse. On the other hand, my father had surgery and it was a godsend. Just get several opinions and base your decisions on what you find out.
Whatever you decide, I wish your husband the best of luck. Back pain is not fun at all.
Hi i had herniated disc about 12 years ago. I was in such pain i couldn't work.First they started me out with physical therapy but i had no relief. I decided to have the fusion. I feel great. The pain in my leg down to my foot were gone almost instantly. I also got a good nights rest from that day on. After surgery i had to go to therapy for a little while to strengthen and get myself back. I am glad i did it. Everyone has their own opinion about surgery but i chose to have it and i am glad i did. If u have any questions u can call blues on call and they will answer any questions that u have. Good luck to you and god bless you...Pam
I had herniated discs and finally "blew" the disc completely requiring surgery. I went to a chiropractor for back exercises to strengthen the muscles in that area. My back is great now. I know your husband is 60 years old but even with a bad back he will find swimming casually to be very beneficial. As far as fusion goes...I refused because of the mobility I would lose. Surgery can be very effective but get 2nd and 3rd opinions on the fusion recomendation.
Ask a LOT of questions. Ask about what to expect during the recovery. Before this kind of surgery, make sure you BOTH understand everything. This can be a difficult recovery and he may need help. Be prepared.
Best wishes to both of you.
PLEASE RESEARCH an ELD (endoscopic laser discectomy, riverviewhealthinstitute.com) It is a newer procedure (about 7 years old) and it utilizes a very small laser and endoscope (video camera) introduced through a small incision above th buttocks and into the spinal canal to directly visualize and treat discogenic pain. It is 95% effective, usually immediate, takes 30-40 minutes to do, and you are home in an hour, light duty at work for about a month. However, you mentioned that he is 60. If he has Medicare, the cover it but under an $8000 differential ($30,000 procedure). If not an option then try to find a pain interventionalist that is licensed and trained to do spinal injections. This is not meant to be permanent but may keep him from surgery. Alot of physicians do injections but they are not interventionalist (members of ISIS, Internation Spine Injection Society).
Mine is fused from T3 to L3, due to severe scoliosis. My first surgery was a complete success. I had virtually no pain in my back for 20 years. But then the upper part of my back started re curving, and I had to undergo another surgery. I can't say the same for the second surgery. It has been 3 years and I am still in pain. Mostly because the fusion failed. And now I am getting ready to have another surgery to fix the second one. Hopefully the third times the charm. I will tell you that I would not have changed a thing about my first surgery. It was the best thing I ever did, and I was grateful to be pain free for 20 years.
I had a L5, and S1 fusion with a titanium plate. My back still sometimes hurts, but not as bad as it did before the surgery, so it was a success. I would get a second opinion. Of course it's going to hurt maybe the first 3 to 6 mths. depending on the person. I would encourage you to limit your pain meds, and do a lot of walking. Don't do like I did , and depend on the pain pills alone. That got me into a dangerous situation.
Good luck
Alabama
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Please share your experience.
Get more than one opinion from reputable neurosurgeons. I had spinal surgery a couple of years ago (it did not involve fusion, though) and it did nothing but make my back pain worse. On the other hand, my father had surgery and it was a godsend. Just get several opinions and base your decisions on what you find out.
Whatever you decide, I wish your husband the best of luck. Back pain is not fun at all.
Hi i had herniated disc about 12 years ago. I was in such pain i couldn't work.First they started me out with physical therapy but i had no relief. I decided to have the fusion. I feel great. The pain in my leg down to my foot were gone almost instantly. I also got a good nights rest from that day on. After surgery i had to go to therapy for a little while to strengthen and get myself back. I am glad i did it. Everyone has their own opinion about surgery but i chose to have it and i am glad i did. If u have any questions u can call blues on call and they will answer any questions that u have. Good luck to you and god bless you...Pam
I had herniated discs and finally "blew" the disc completely requiring surgery. I went to a chiropractor for back exercises to strengthen the muscles in that area. My back is great now. I know your husband is 60 years old but even with a bad back he will find swimming casually to be very beneficial. As far as fusion goes...I refused because of the mobility I would lose. Surgery can be very effective but get 2nd and 3rd opinions on the fusion recomendation.
Ask a LOT of questions. Ask about what to expect during the recovery. Before this kind of surgery, make sure you BOTH understand everything. This can be a difficult recovery and he may need help. Be prepared.
Best wishes to both of you.
PLEASE RESEARCH an ELD (endoscopic laser discectomy, riverviewhealthinstitute.com) It is a newer procedure (about 7 years old) and it utilizes a very small laser and endoscope (video camera) introduced through a small incision above th buttocks and into the spinal canal to directly visualize and treat discogenic pain. It is 95% effective, usually immediate, takes 30-40 minutes to do, and you are home in an hour, light duty at work for about a month. However, you mentioned that he is 60. If he has Medicare, the cover it but under an $8000 differential ($30,000 procedure). If not an option then try to find a pain interventionalist that is licensed and trained to do spinal injections. This is not meant to be permanent but may keep him from surgery. Alot of physicians do injections but they are not interventionalist (members of ISIS, Internation Spine Injection Society).
Mine is fused from T3 to L3, due to severe scoliosis. My first surgery was a complete success. I had virtually no pain in my back for 20 years. But then the upper part of my back started re curving, and I had to undergo another surgery. I can't say the same for the second surgery. It has been 3 years and I am still in pain. Mostly because the fusion failed. And now I am getting ready to have another surgery to fix the second one. Hopefully the third times the charm. I will tell you that I would not have changed a thing about my first surgery. It was the best thing I ever did, and I was grateful to be pain free for 20 years.
I had a L5, and S1 fusion with a titanium plate. My back still sometimes hurts, but not as bad as it did before the surgery, so it was a success. I would get a second opinion. Of course it's going to hurt maybe the first 3 to 6 mths. depending on the person. I would encourage you to limit your pain meds, and do a lot of walking. Don't do like I did , and depend on the pain pills alone. That got me into a dangerous situation.
Good luck
Alabama
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