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Spinal fusion---Is it right for you? Updated..!!
While spinal fusion does work for some people, no one should pretend it's a good option for everyone. Surgeon's themselves have very mixed views on when and fusion should be done, on which patients and which conditions. You might be surprised that it often has very little to do with the back pain your feeling. As this article on Lumbar Fusion for Degenerative Disc Disease explains, surgeons views on this do vary a great deal.
Lumbar spine fusion surgery for degenerative disc disease
Multilevel spinal fusion for lumbar degenerative disc disease NEW...!!!
Deciding on surgery for degenerative disc disease
Potential risks of surgery for a degenerated disc
Spinal fusion is done for many different spinal problems. My 4 level spinal fusion was for DDD, spinal stenosis, degenerative scoliosis and bone spurs. I qualified for surgery very quickly, because I had a severe loss of mobility, with pain, numbness and weakness early on, effecting both legs. It was rapidly progressing. Had I not had surgery, I would not be walking today..but I am walking normally. In my case things worked out very well, but only after a very long recovery. Each case and every patient is different. There are many success stories out there, mine is here. My spinal fusion story..
That recovery is something, we all have to consider and hopefully the sites I'm sending along below will help promote some discussion with your surgeons. Thankfully recovery after spinal fusion surgery is much shorter today then it was when I had my surgery. Outcomes vary a lot depending on the problems you had prior to surgery, and the lifestyle your trying to lead after recovery. Realistic expectations are important as well. If you were a weight-lifter or jockey a change of job is something you need to consider. This is what I mean about realistic expectations. We are blessed with one spine only my friends, that's something we must always remember.
Learning as much as you can about the surgery your considering, is the best way to help prepare yourself. While that may be scary as well.......if you don't know what to expect you most likely will be disappointed. Spinal fusion is not a cure all my friends. Getting back to the live you used to live is just not possible in some cases. Some people can, but you should not pretend to think that if you have problems in all areas of you spine, spinal fusion will suddenly return you to normal. It's just not possible.
Talking with your surgeon is your best hope, if he is unwilling to take the time, find a new one please. A surgeons job goes far beyond just the operating room. He is suppose to be honest and up front with you before the operation. Not all surgeon are. Remember this, when something seems to good to be true, it probably is. Be it s TV commercial or a surgeon offering you a miracle. Get a second opinion and ask lots of questions.
Surgery: Should I or Shouldn't I?
Neurosurgeon or Orthopedic Surgeon? Does it Matter?
Spine Surgery: Questions to Ask Your Doctor
Understanding Lumbar Fusion Surgery
What Should I Know About Lumbar Spinal Fusion?
Spine fusion risks and complications NEW..!!
Bone graft site pain and morbidity after spinal fusion NEW..!!!Cigarette Smoking and its Impact on Spinal Fusions
What is Spinal Instrumentation and Spinal Fusion?
Preparing For Lumbar Fusion Surgery
Postoperative care for spinal fusion surgery
The importance of psychological preparation for back surgery NEW..!!!
How to prepare psychologically for back surgery NEW..!!!
Spinal Fusion Back Surgery Health Hub NEW..!!!
Degenerative Disc Disease Health Hub NEW..!!
Surgery Often Won't Cure Back Pain this is a 3 page article, please read all 3 pages.
Rehabilitation following spine fusion
My Spinal Fusion Success Story...!!
Thanks to both Spine Universe, Spine-Health and WebMD for these sites and the x-rays shot above.
Keep in mind that these sites only scratch the surface of what is available online. Need more, just holler or leave a comment. I check and update these frequently, so make sure you keep checking back. It's best to subscribe to the blog, using and alert or your favorite feed. For more information see the top right corner of the site. If you need help, just email me HerLippy1@aol.com
My only goal, is to make sure that we as patients have the information that's available in order to make a wise decision. Decisions take time, and spine surgery is something you never want to rush into, no matter how much pain you may be in. Surgery is a personal decsion as well, one that only the patient can truly make after researching information and talking to others.
Happy reading..:)
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Hi~
I first want to say great job on all your Blogs. You have done a magnificent job, as always.
As you know I've been in pain management for 5 (yes, it's 5) years. My reason for pain management is to avoid/delay a fusion. I've promised myself that I would only do it as a last resort, like Cauda Equina or I can no longer walk.
I go to PM every 3 months for refill checks and sooner if I need an injection. I can't remember the last injection that I had.
On my last visit I met with a new PA and when she opened my chart and saw the picture of my spine her first words were: "Are you going to have surgery?" while she was shaking her head no.
I told her only as a last resort. I've acutally been feeling better though because I'm so careful.
I also weened myself off of Topamax and it did not increase my pain, as a matter of fact it may have reduced it. One of the side effects of Topamax (I read recently) is bone pain. It just may have been a coincidence or it may be changing from vicoden to vicoprofen.
Oh, I haven't told my PM that I'm off Topamax yet, I'll do that at my next visit.
It's 2/25/07 and I know you're in the middle of a snow storm, but it's rather mild here. Lil has just graduated from puppy school and I'm going to try and get her out for a walk. It will benefit both of us.
Stay warm, my 3 say "Hi" to the Boy! and Have another cup of coffee!
Barbara -
<i Just had my 4th spinal surgery. 2 years ago i had a spinal fusion with instrumentation at L4-5. About 6 weeks ago I had another surgery- revision of the prior instrumentation at L4--5 as well as as an extension of the fusion with instrumentation at L3-4 as well as L5-S1. Also a spacer was placed at L3-4. Can anyone tell me about the recovery time for pain. I had to stop all pain meds because of severe nausea and then withdrawl sympoms from ms contin. I am now only taking vicodin occasionally. I am interested as to how long this severe pain will last and when it will ease up a little. Even though i have had a previous fusion at one level, this recovery is much worse this time and i am told it is because the surgery was much more extensive. Any information you can provide as to when I will get some relief would be greatly appreciated.>
Hi Christina...:)
Everything I have on spinal fusion states that revision surgery comes with a longer recovery time and very often less successful outcomes overall. What that means is that people have a tendency to require pain meds of some type for the long term. The same holds true for extensive surgeries as well.
Now that does not always mean narcotic meds. I myself do very well with very strong anti inflammitories, muscle relaxers for spasms and a low dose of topamax for nerve pain. I don't take narcotics regularly and have not since about 6 months after my 4 level fusion. Many people do however take narcotic meds for the long term. I don't do well on them myself because of other health problems, so I try to avoid them.
If you'd like you can email me for more information Christina. Do you have problems with all narcotic medications? If you can give me a bit more detail, I might be able to help you more..:) My email is HerLippy1@aol.com
Hope to hear from you soon..:) -
i Just had my 4th spinal surgery. 2 years ago i had a spinal fusion with instrumentation at L4-5. About 6 weeks ago I had another surgery- revision of the prior instrumentation at L4--5 as well as as an extension of the fusion with instrumentation at L3-4 as well as L5-S1. Also a spacer was placed at L3-4. Can anyone tell me about the recovery time for pain. I had to stop all pain meds because of severe nausea and then withdrawl sympoms from ms contin. I am now only taking vicodin occasionally. I am interested as to how long this severe pain will last and when it will ease up a little. Even though i have had a previous fusion at one level, this recovery is much worse this time and i am told it is because the surgery was much more extensive. Any information you can provide as to when I will get some relief would be greatly appreciated.
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<Thanks for your comments. I am "just getting over" a three level failed fusion. L4-5-S1. Performed by a renown neuro-ortho team at a major institution. By the sixth week I was walking miles per day! Then by about the 10th week I was having trouble even taking a few steps. No answers, No answers. X-rays good. 3 month MRI showed only "scar tissue" that "cannot cause your pain." Then wham! at the 8th month the x-rays showed that the fused material was gone. It disappeared. Then the next MRI showed that the scar tissue was "soft tissue that can cause pain."
The reason for the failure - a decision not to use metal in this multi level fusion.
Now 9 months post op I am getting ready for another fusion. Oh, and this will be my fourth lumbar surgery in 5 years! (2 discectomies 6 years ago).
Now: anterior, posterior, rods, screws, fusions. 2nd opinions by others that are also tops in their field. Everyone seems to agree on procedure but I would jump if my window was higher than a few feet off the ground. >
Hi there, and thank you for your comment. It actually amazes me that you had a 3 level fusion...without hardware. I've not heard of that in an adult. Especially given your history. Please review the sites I passed along above. Remember that revision often is a more difficult procedure, under normal conditions. Please feel free to email me if you have any questions...:)
Best of luck to you...:)
2/26/07 4:25 PM
Good to see you my friend. I had not heard about the Topamax and bone pain, but I will check that out. Thanks for the tip.
As for the fusion, I agree completely and have never been big on spinal fusion for back pain alone. The risk is so great that in my mind it needs to be a necessity. A very last resort. That is hard for some to realize though, as they don't often think it can't be worse then it is that day, when it truly can be. Hopefully a good surgeon will let them know that. But sad to say that doesn't always happen. Glad to hear your taking charge and waiting. 5 years is a long time, but then even a fusion isn't a cure all. Keep hanging in there, and I hope you do as well for the next 5 as you are right now..:)
Talk to you soon..:)