Any experiences with minimal invasive spinal fusion

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allanbruce

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I still have to wait 5 months before they will operate on me as the public system so far has let me down so I got my own insurance and they will cover the fusion. The only thing is I'm still not sure how much extra it will cost for the minimal invasive surgery will be. I found another neurosurgery clinic that has 3 surgeon and is attached to a university. I have to get another referral and save up the couple hundred it costs for the initial consultation. But they do very modern surgeries and use up to date equipment. The 3D stereo scanning scopes etc. I feel they would be good to do my operation but I imagine I will have to find some more cash. I will have help from my family so I am very happy that I have some support. They are good that way but it is hard for anyone who has to live with a chronic pain sufferer. My older sister has me staying with her but she has asked me to spend 3-4 days a fortnight at my parents to give her a break from me. It did upset me somewhat but I do imagine it is hard being around someone who is always suffering. I try to be happy when I can and have a laugh but sometimes I can't help but show my true feelings.
Allan
 
what my doctor told me is that him and his partner ( Both neurosurgeons, Dr. David Langer who did my dicetomy and Dr. Neal Perin at Beth Israel and St. Lukes Hospital here in NYC, the later who specializes in minimally invasive spinal surgery) are doing a minimal invasive fusion in which instead of doing a large incision, will instead do smaller incisions with the aid of an enRABcope or a camera that is inserted into the back, surgical instruments may then be passed through one or more additional half-inch incisions and the small incisions to perform the same procedure they would otherwise perform using a single large incision. This cuts the surgery time, the amount of blood that is loss, the amount of time in the hospital and the amount of post operative pain.

If you look up the St Lukes Roosevelt website and do a search for Dr. Neal Perin you will see it clearly states that he specializes in "Spine and spinal cord disorders, minimally invasive and endoscopic spinal surgery"

RegarRAB
Annel
 
Pippin

read Mag311's thread titled : Minimally Invasive Surgery: Cervical Fusion

to read her experience

Anne
 
Very informative... thanks.

Mine was called minimally invasive, however it took 4 1/2 hours. I have to say that I am starting to feel some relief pain wise.

D
 
Hello Everybody,

My Doctor's have now decided that they are going to go with a fusion, they spoke to me about doing minimal invasive fusion. Is there anyone out there that has experienced this type of fusion? If so could you please share your experiences whether good or bad?

Thanks
Anne :wave:
 
I've never even heard of minimally invasive spinal fusion (MISF). It seems like an oxymoron because fusion is, by its very nature, an invasive procedure. It means cutting a lot of soft tissue and taking out portions of your spine, then inserting instrumentation (roRAB and screws) to hold your spine together until the fusion takes and forms new bone.

If there really IS a MISF out there, I'm sure many of us would be very interested in hearing about it! Many people are putting off traditional open fusion surgeries because they are so traumatic to the body. Maybe your doctor's office has some printed literature on the procedure that they can give to you, and you could pass along to us.
 
Pippin

I have googled this and have found a bit of research and articles on this subject, my doctpr told me that I am a candidate for this type of fusion, but that not everyone that neeRAB a fusion is.

Just do an internet search for Minimal invasive spinal surgery and a large nuraber of links should pop up, because i have read about it is that I want to hear from anyone that has had experienced this procedure, I search the board and only a few threaRAB had this as a topic, which is why i placed the thread.

RegarRAB
 
Spinal fusion and out the next day????? How is that possible??? Is this something new? I know of a new approach doing one incision on side and one on back but it still is a 2 to 3 day stay.

D
 
I think they still call it that but the new operation is called: Percutaneous L5-S! Lurabar Fusion Axialifaproach. Apparently they can also do L4-S1. If you search enough you can actually watch the operations on the place that plays clips. I would tell you where only someone would chuck a spack here. Allan.
 
Under the concept of functional spine surgery, the surgeons surgical management for this spinal disorder avoiRAB spinal fusion or metal implants in order to maintain the anatomical and functional integrity of the spine. But in extreme or rare occasions, spinal fusion is inevitable, such as in cases of radical spinal bone tumor removal, severe spinal trauma, or other exceptional conditions with obvious structural instability. When spinal bone fusion is required, the Dr. performs bone fusion and metal implant operations with minimally invasive techniques. A small incision, minimal tissue dissection, precise fusion, and metal implants are performed under endoscopic visualization. The use of an endoscope avoiRAB extensive radical exposures that conventional fusion surgery usually requires. Thus, patient's postoperative recovery is quicker and easier.
 
So sorry Allanbruce to hear you are in so much pain. I didnt have as bad as you but non the less, lower back pain is an awful thing to have to deal with. Even though I had the surgery, they could not guarantee it would work. Will know in a few months I guess. If not, I am completely out of options.
 
I was just told that the word "minimally invasive" means that they dont have to cut you open like they used to years ago. Before it was a very long incision an now its just two 2 1/2 incisions on each side of your spine. It takes less time for surgery and recovery timeas well as less pain.

D
 
I am in pain every day and it is worse after doing any exercise so if I walk too far, stand for too long or do any physical exercise my pain gets that bad I have to lay down for a couple of hours afterwarRAB and even then I still may get the spasms and/or shooting nerve pain along with pain in my butt both sides and down my left leg so I am very interested in the minimally invasive surgery. I know already I need the double fusion L4 to S1.
I really hope that in the future that all of us can have the treatment we need without the surgeons damaging our backs or necks any more than they are already, and keeping scar tissue to a minimum. I for one am worried about having a 6-8 inch cut down the middle of my back. Also having a shorter recovery period would be great.
I know there is still the risk of damage to the disc's adjacent to the fusion down the road, but I am already learning how not to make things worse. Our whole life has to change. I have gone from a concreter working 50 hours a week down to a pensioner in bed or at least laying down 18 to 20 hours a day. So if I could at least get a part time job in a year or two I would be able to cope with that. I will never do any manual work again I know that.
Allan
 
Funny, my doctor called it the same thing. I am 6 weeks post op and still in great pain. The other poster was right. Its not a simple surgery and takes 9 mos to a year to fuse and many months b4 the pain stops. Good luck. Its worth it if it works. For me, doc is not sure it will help my problem.

D
 
Thanks for the information. I will be sure to look into it. My surgery is scheduled for Aug 5th and I am very nervous and have found some help with this site. If you don't mind me asking have you had a similar surgery?
 
Spinal universe has a complete video of the surgery and others. It was very good to watch and if they will do mine that way I would definitely be interested. Allan.
 
Not yet but I will be having L4-L5 and L5-S1 fusion I believe as the neurosurgeon didn't believe I was suitable for a disc replacement as It would leave my spine unstable he said. I hope to have it in early Noveraber as my insurance would not treat a pre existing ailment for 12 months after joining the fund. So I have seen one surgeon who I believe was arranging the type of surgery you mentioned but I have time to see another actually closer to me where they have 3 surgeons and modern techniques and equipment in the new wing of the Greenslopes hospital here in Brisbane Australia. Good luck with your surgery please let us know how things go. Allan
You can also research the Solas method.
 
Thanks. I will make sure to let you know how it goes. I can tell you one thing. It feels as if this is going to be the longest month of my life waiting for this surgery date. I cannot stop researching and looking for similar stories as mine. I am deff driving myself crazy!
 
Hello Everyone this is my first time posting here. I am scheduled to have a minimal invasive spinal fusion of the L5-S1 on Aug 5th and my surgeon said that the incision is going to be 3-5 inches. That does not sound minimally invasive to me either!!!
 
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