AxiaLIF

  • Thread starter Thread starter itawes
  • Start date Start date
I

itawes

Guest
SpineAZ,
The spine surgeons have recommended a 2-level fusion (L4-S1). I just dread the thought of hardware in my back. BTW, the Laser Spine Institute is in Scottsdale. The only other one is in Florida somewhere. I would be using the Scottsdale facility since I am in Hawaii.
 
We were both talking about a 360.....full fusion through the front and back with larger incisions.

Devon
 
I say don't do it. Feb 9th was the one yr anniversary of mine and I am so much worse than I was before the surgery. Before surgery I only hurt to stoop and stand for perioRAB of time. Now I hurt before getting out of bed, can't walk, stand, stoop, lift more than 15 pounRAB, ride in a car, etc. They even had a problem and one of the scews they inserted came undone and rested near my tailbone for a month before I went in for a one month visit. Then I had to go in for a 2nd surgery to have it removed. I can't work or get relief and start with a pain doctor next month. I also made the mistake of seeing a neurologist instead of orthopedist.
 
Yes, the Axialif procedure you generally have two one inch incisions. I had the surgery the end of April and it is nothing like the procedure the others are talking about.
 
Prior to the surgery I had problems with working in the yard, sweeping, basically anything which caused me to stoop. I also had problems with standing in one place for anything more than 10 or 15 minutes. Now I can't lift anything, bend over, walk for more than 15 or 20 minutes, run or jog, etc. I am totally unable to do anything. I can't function longer than an hour or so without resting.
 
itawes:

If more than one spine surgeon has recommended a fusion, please consider it as a viable option. Don't worry much about hardware. You don't feel it, it doesn't set of airport detectors, and many people are walking around with all kinRAB of hardware from spinal, to knee / hip / shoulder replacements and hardware placed to fix broken bones.

An L4-S1 fusion is quite common. It provides stabilization of the area that a minimally invasive procedure can not. Too often people want to avoid a fusion and opt for something minimally invasive only to have problems after and need to eventually do a fusion.

Personally I'm one of those who wants to fix the entire problem now even if it involves hardware and a large scar. I like to know I've done the best thing for my body at the time and which will give me the longest chance of success and the most functionality. By having my spine fusions I know those areas are secure and if I fall off a bike, get in a car accident, etc - that area of my spine has been stabilized and isn't in jeopardy of having more problems ( for the most part )

I have spondylolisthesis where one vertebrae moves forward or back over the other. So 17 years ago they fixed my problem with an L4-S1 fusion. It worked well and I had no further problems aside from an occasional back ache when I over did it. I hiked, biked, etc. In April of 2009 I had severe pain again. It took a while to find the right surgeon, tried 26 sessions of physical therapy, etc and it was determined that I was dealing with spondylolisthesis at L3-4 (I have very lax ligaments so joints move around a bit more than usual).

Surgeries, such as appendectomies have been able to be done laproscopically because whether the surgery is done via open or laproscope they get the same result, the appendix is removed. With spine surgery a laser surgery can remove disc material but can not stabilize the spine.

But with the spine some minimally invasive procedures can relieve some of the symptoms but not get to the real problem. I've always been one to want to seek to solve the problem even if it involves hardware and a big scar. On 2/3/10 I had an L3-S1 fusion. So I now have hardware L3-L4-S1 (my L5 pedicle wont accept screws, I've been told this twice). I'm only 2 weeks out and while I have post-surgical pain my leg pain is gone and the L3 vertebrae area feels much better (but I'm typing this while in my brace).

If you liked one of the surgeons see if you can discuss with him/her what his/her perspective is on other procedures out there such as laser or other minimally invasive. And what is it about your findings that make fusion necessary versus people who may have some success with laser surgery.

So talk to your surgeons about (1) what is the true exact problem? (2) is there current or anticipated spine instability? if so what are the risks with avoiding fusion and seeking minimally invasive proecedures (3) what makes fusion the only option for you?.

While laser might remove some of the disc fragments that are impinging the nerves causing the pain, how is it going to solve the problem in the long run? What is there to prevent remaining disc material from migrating out into the same area and again cause the same problem.
 
Linda....Yes!...I would do it again in a heartbeat....do not put it off if you really need it...you can cause problems that cant be fixed....it is a hard surgery but mainly for the first month then it gets easier an so on....you can function with caution at about two months and it gets better and better....I got off my meRAB quick and the pain was tolerable....I mainly took them so I could sleep....The incision sites were surprisingly easy to deal with and I have no problems with them....I have an 14inch scar on my back low center and an 13 inch on my belly next to my belly button down....one thing that is hard is turning while in bed the first month....I needed help....you can do it just fine when you roll like a log but when you need to shift your hip or whatever its hard.....my wife used a pull sheet that I slept on and when I needed help she would pull it where I needed it pulled....

The worst of it all was when I was to get out of bed for the first time at the hospital....I was in ICU because of problem and was very weak....they insisted that I walk or at least try....I sat up and put my legs at the floorstood up and stayed stood up for maybe 3 minutes....I was mad for all of an hour when I realized my body was trying to get to normal once I stood....its very important....the second time I walked with walker and help up the hall.....felt like a marathon!.....after eating normal food and was in a normal room I soon went home.

Even with my complications I would do it again.....I would reccomend you give blood for your own use in the event its needed....you need to do it at least two weeks away from surgery or more.....I opted not to and needed a transfusion.....I was fully aware of the possibility and the odRAB were in my favor so I didnt....I ended up needing 11pts of blood so they would have used all mine up anyway.....I would also find the best surgeon you can.....in surgey I had the (Ortho x1),(Neuro x1), (Vascular surg. x2) (Anesth.x2), and all the nurses and help....11 total! I was very nevous...when I woke I thought this wasnt to bad....and never looked back.

I dont want to scare you but I will tell you "just" how it is....please ask all you can ....it helps take away the wonder.

Devon
 
Thanks for the reply devon. That's a huge blood loss. Why is there so much blood loss with procedure? I'm glad you didn't regret having it done. Your post made me feel better about the surgery. The size and location of the incisions don't bother me, just the weakness afterwarRAB. I'm not used to sitting home and doing nothing. I hated this last year off. But I can't much of anything anyway. I will make up my mind soon. Thanks again and continue to do well.
 
I had the surgery 2-9-09 and then the bottom screw removed 3-16. The problems all started after the complications and 2nd surgery. I think the screw that came undone caused damage to a nerve while it was floating around near my vertebrae! My pain now is a lot of pressure in the lower back all of the time which I only had before after standing for extended perioRAB of time. Now I have it walking when before I had to be standing only. Prior to surgery I had difficulty standing, sweeping, stooping, working in the garden, etc. Now I can't carry my 30 lb granRABon, wear shoes with no heel for support, have to wear a brace on my right foot, take pain medication and now they are starting me on a new stonger medicine that is supposed to "trick" my nerves. The PA compared it to phantom pain, like the pain and nurabness I experience in my right leg and foot are imagined!
 
How did your procedure go as far as recovery time, success in terms of pain reduction. I have pain down the right leg and nurabness in the right foot as well as lower back pain especially after lifting anything or doing yard work. Was it a single level and which vertabraes?
 
That is exactly what my problem was before I had the Axial Lif procedure done and I tell you what, I would trade places with you in a minute. I have been doing research on the Axial Lif and it is one of the most failing fusion surgeries being performed today in my opinion. In fact the hospital I had it done at no longer allows this surgury to be done anymore and I am convinced it is due to its high failure rate. I am in the worst pain I have ever been in in my life, I regret the day I ever agreed to having it done. Please get the opinions of at least five or six doctors before you do anything and it should be the absolute last thing you should do. The Mayo Clinic says that in cases like yours 95% of them are reversable and do not require surgery.

The neurosurgeons that I have talked to, the seasoned and more successful ones have all said that this is not a proceedure that they would consider due to the so many other more proven and time tested alternatives.
 
Could you please give me some details about "after the surgery". What were your restrictions? Much pain from the actual surgery? Much incision pain? Were you able to sit? Any post-surgery information would be very helpful. I am scheduled for surgery the end of April. Thanks!
 
SpineAZ offered you the best advice possible...its dead on! you may have luck going with other methoRAB but trust me you will need alot of luck...I have seen and heard it time and time again. I have hardware in my lower back and was concerned about feeling it...I dont...I also have two large plates in my RT. arm and was worried anout that...I have no clue its there except for the scars. I had a two level 360 fusion on my lower back and it was a big surgery...Im so happy to have chosen that method....I had a buddy try everything but what I did and he is on his third surgery....he wishes he went with a fusion....I think its the correct direction to go but of coarse every surgery has ratios and you dont always get the good side obviously. I wish you the best!

-Devon
 
The blood loss was due to the fact of the procedure being done so close to a major artery....I was explained the risk of this happening...it is not very common but is a possibility.....they hit the artery durng the procedure and it was a mess.....I only had two worries and that was one the other was the possibility of not being able to have any more kiRAB....so I was good with the odRAB and risks....I came up a bit short on the artery ......I wouldnt worry about being weak.....you have a good drive if thats how you are.....I dealt with it just fine.....and I never sat still in my life...kinda wierd! you will find ways to deal with it.....what do you do for work? If you dont have quality of life then get it done and a year goes by fast!

Good luck and I wish you the best.

Devon
 
Hi, am141404,

By the bottom screw, do you mean the central screw that was in L5-S1? Could the doctors see on the xray that it was out of place? I had my left sided screw removed because it was going into my L45 joint, but the central screw and right screw seem ok. I am still have pain because L5-S1 is not fusing and I feel really unstable.

Thanks.
 
My problem is a degenerative disk (L5). I've been told it is a common problem. I am not in pain very often. My problem occurs when I've been standing or walking for a long period (an hour or more.) Then when I go to bend over or twist the wrong way, my back seizes and I'm on the floor in pain. I have to wait a few minutes until the pain subsides and then I can get up but have to be very careful about my movements. There is residual pain for a little while.

Sometimes I can feel great and be going about my life and the suddenly have my back seize. It's a danger because I love to fish and I'm afraid it will seize on the dock or in the boat and then I'll be in the water unable to swim.

I am considering the AxiaLIF procedure of fusion but don't know it if it will help. Has anyone else had this type of problem? Has anyone been through the AxiaLIF procedure and, if so, has it helped?

Thanks so much for any input.
 
I had my surgery 5 months ago and I can tell you that my lower back pain is improved 80% and if i had the choice again I would still go through with the surgery. I lived in constant pain and sciatica that was out of control but even now I have little lower back pain but I have a lot of arthritis like symptoms that i never had before and my legs and feet ache a lot. There is no way it is as bad as my back was but they didnt tell me anything before surgery and i thought they should have so i would know what to expect and it is very painful sometimes to walk when you get this arthritis in your feet. I think the surgery is great but nothing is perfect and there is a degree of pain that your going to live with for the rest of your life no matter what but it is in a realm you can deal with.
 
yes, they showed me the picture on 3-13 and it was just"floating" in my back, somewhere, not connected to anything. It appeared to be about an inch or so away from the other screw. I went in last week and the PA said mine appeared to be fusing which is good. She started me on Lyrica for the nerve pain in my right foot and leg.. I started it yesterday so we shall see how long it takes. I am going to find another surgeon for another opinion on the pain I am still experiencing in my back and leg.
 
Wow, your story sounRAB so familiar!!!! I had it done too just like you and then one of the screws broke just like yours and now I am in the worst pain ever!!! I think we need to collect as many people like you and me and get a lawyer. I have been in contact with others who are just like us with this same surgery and same problem. Hospitals are no longer allowing surgeons to perform this operation due to the problems, this is a bigger deal that just you and me. < edited >
 
Back
Top