lumbar fusion

[Fred Perreault]

I am going in on March 2nd for lumbar fusion....L2-3 and L3-4. Has anyone on the Creek ever had lower back fusion? And if so, any suggestions about physical limitations and timing for getting back at it?


thanks, Fred

[Morey St. Denis]

What exactly was the original diagnosis of your lower back condition? Spinal Stenosis, per chance?.. Fusion of your lower vertebrae should always be an absolute last resort. Have you gotten a second or even a third well qualified opinion? I've had close friends, including my father, who've also suffered from lumbar region back injuries, excruciating pain and unbearable debilitation. As a scientist, I've also had a fairly extensive medical background and have paid very close attention to individual treatments, prognosis and eventual outcome. In many cases, the inflammation, pain & debilitation can be relieved by infrequent highly targeted (& often highly effective) localized Cortisone steroid injections. In some cases, Orthopedic surgery to resculpt certain lumbar vertebrae where impingement against the spinal cord or nerve tissue may be occurring can be highly effective with a positive long-term outcome. Fusion surgery is irreversible, and most often carries no guarantee of a cure or positive outcome... Just be certain you've fully exhausted all alternative options considered by several well qualified lumbar specialists before you elect to undergo any fusion of your vertebrae. Very Best Wishes,

[Bert Kemp]

I had lower back surgery 27 years ago , I ruptured L4 L5 s1 and the Dr told me he would not fuse my back because it would cause me to many problem in the future . I remember the pain well and was really scared about surgery but it came out fine . Funny this came up now as I just hurt my back again a couple days ago and the pain is the same as I had back 27 yrs ago , hope I'm wrong and theis goes away soon. Get more opinions and good luck

[Myk Rian]

Is it possible to visit a chiropractor?
More info on your condition would help us provide reasonable answers/suggestions.

[Larry Frank]

I have had lumbar fusion about 12 years ago. In my case the disks were ruptured and had fissured. There was not any other option as the disks were free to move and cause nerve damage and potentially damage the spinal column. I would not even consider in my case having a chiropractor manipulate my back considering the state the it was in. I have had L3, L4 and S1 fused. I looked at the MRI and still have it and understood the issues. I also read a lot about the surgery and the potential outcomes.

If it were me, I would get a least two opinions and maybe a third. I would check carefully into the background of anyone that is going to do the operation and find the best that you can. I would look to see if the person has written any papers. Take as much time as you can to check this out.

I think that you also need to be aware of the potential outcomes. The majority of the people who have this surgery still have some pain after everything is done. I still have pain but the option of not having surgery was frightening.

It will not be easy and recovery will take time and you are going to need help as you heal and get better. I know that it was a stress on my family helping me and doing some of the things that I had done before.

I needed hand surgery a year ago and spent a long time finding the right doctor and reading his papers and getting opinions about him. It was the best thing that I could have done as I ended up with one of the top hand surgeons in the Chicago area.

Please take your time as much as needed to completely understand your issues, the proposed surgery and find the best doctor. Nobody on this forum can diagnose your issues and give you medical advice. You need to study your conditions and doctors until you are satisfied with a decision.

Best Luck to you and hope things work out for the best.

[Phil Thien]

If it were me, I would get a least two opinions and maybe a third. I would check carefully into the background of anyone that is going to do the operation and find the best that you can. I would look to see if the person has written any papers. Take as much time as you can to check this out.


Yep!

When I was looking at having back work done twenty years ago, there was basically one go-to guy in town. It seemed all his patients recovered fairly quickly, while patients of other doctors struggled and needed multiple procedures.

That particular doctor's dance card was full, I couldn't get an appt. I actually ended up seeing his partner for an evaluation, figuring if he said I needed work that I'd try switching.

But ultimately I decided to avoid surgery.

Although my problem obviously wasn't as severe as one where fusion is indicated. Where fusion is indicated I'm not so sure you can decide to just forgo surgery.

[Andrew Joiner]

My wife had fusion 18 years ago. They took bone from her hip to do it. She was pain free after a few months of recovery. Of course get opinions from more than one doctor. In my wife's case she's extremely happy with spinal fusion to this day.

[David Ragan]

Well, as a family practice/occ med doc i have seen lots of studies that are not very optimistic about fusion..... While going to seminars about perhaps doing formal Disability Evaluation/Ratings, etc.... Same outlook.
That body of literature i suspect is biased tho on account of the audience-Disability evaluation


but- i saw a young gal yesterday with complete thoracic/spinal fusion- no mobility at all- but....no pain
that said-we have here Shepard Spinal Ctr.....a tertiary referral center-sees/draws folks from wide geographic area would be who i would see if i personally faced that problem/pain

good luck!

these are my personal views, not necessarily those of my employer

[Fred Perreault]

Thank you all for your helpful responses. My history is that in 2002 I had a laminectomy for spinal stenosis and other issues at 2-3, 3-4, and 4-5. Of course I did not do as required and went back at it too quickly/too aggressively. That led to additional surgery 18 months later. Now I have serious disk loss at 2-3 and 3-4 with pinching causing back, hip, leg and foot pain as well as very little sleep. I dealt with injections and PT for the last few years but the pain, discomfort and sleep loss is mounting up. I did go to a well respected surgeon in Boston last year, and then to 2 more neurosurgeons in New England. I selected the route I am taking after talking to 3 men that I have known for decades. One is a brick mason that is going on 15 months post surgery and doing very well. The other 2 guys are builder/carpenters, and one of them is going on 3 years post fusion and is back to playing golf (ouch!). The other is 2 years post fusion and back to carpentering. All of them used the same surgeon that I have selected. I have done a lot of research and believe that I am going into this with my eyes open, expecting to feel better but not perfect, and will have to allow for some limitations at 67 years old.

thank ya'll again

[Shawn Pixley]

I can't speak to lumbar surgery, but I had cervical implants last year. If there is any thing I can do let me know. I am happy to share. I got great support from the SMC crowd. Best wishes to you.

[David Ragan]

Thank you all for your helpful responses. My history is that in 2002 I had a laminectomy for spinal stenosis and other issues at 2-3, 3-4, and 4-5. Of course I did not do as required and went back at it too quickly/too aggressively. That led to additional surgery 18 months later. Now I have serious disk loss at 2-3 and 3-4 with pinching causing back, hip, leg and foot pain as well as very little sleep. I dealt with injections and PT for the last few years but the pain, discomfort and sleep loss is mounting up. I did go to a well respected surgeon in Boston last year, and then to 2 more neurosurgeons in New England. I selected the route I am taking after talking to 3 men that I have known for decades. One is a brick mason that is going on 15 months post surgery and doing very well. The other 2 guys are builder/carpenters, and one of them is going on 3 years post fusion and is back to playing golf (ouch!). The other is 2 years post fusion and back to carpentering. All of them used the same surgeon that I have selected. I have done a lot of research and believe that I am going into this with my eyes open, expecting to feel better but not perfect, and will have to allow for some limitations at 67 years old.

thank ya'll again

You said it there, Fred..... Expectations
i had my knee surg Friday and expected to be back in my shop, at least for a couple hours. Whst a fool i am. Am on my can still nursing my knee on Monday- maybe tomorrow
i have been told my, um, serenity is inversely proportinal to my expectations
All the best to you Fred