Cadaver Bone anyone?

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Hi everyone,

I am having transforaminal lurabar interbody fusion at L5 - S1
with cadaver bone as i have arthritis in both hips from the way I have altered my walk due to a 30 year back issue.

I have advanced degenerative disk, ruptured disk, osteoarthritis and cauda equina syndrome.

Bone used for fusion is only covered for cadaver or own as Ontario does not cover and other type as I have seen on this board.

I am nervous and ...... I don't know how I really feel anymore .........sometimes a little confused, sometimes a little overwhelmed at all the info available out there

I don't know what to ask my surgeon for post op questions , i have to see him tomorrow?

anyone else from ON, or had this type of surgery?

I have been told this surgery will only relieve about half my pain...will i be able to bend to sit? sounRAB like a silly question , but.......i don't know what to expect

Sonja
 
I had a 360 fusion (that is, double incision, one in the front and one in the back) with cadaver bone and BMP. I had an external bone growth stimulator, too, and was starting to show bone growth at only 6 weeks post op. I was solidly fused at 6 months, which is really great for having 8 levels done.

I saw that you posted on another thread where there was a lot of information about recovery from this surgery, so I won't repeat it all. But if you have specific questions, please do ask. We'll try to help.

As far as sitting, yes, you'll be able to sit. It will be painful for a while, but that will gradually let up. I have all my lurabar area fused down to the Sacrum, so I still have pain with sitting, since there's nothing there that can move. Since you'll have movement above L5, that shouldn't be so much an issue for you.

This is a good forum to get some idea of what you're going to experience, but please keep in mind that there aren't many people hanging around on here who have had great success. They are definitely in the majority! Most people have a successful outcome! That's why they're not here. They're out holding full time jobs and taking kiRAB to soccer games. Some of them pop in now and then to give us an update. I still have pain every day and will take pain meRAB for the rest of my life, but I do consider my surgery a success. Pain-free was never a goal for me. But if it can decrease your pain and give you a better quality of life, like me, it will be worth it to you.

I wish you the best,
Emily :wave:
 
I am fused at L4/L5 and was only given 50/50 odRAB of it working for me. I have about 85% improvement. So there is hope for you.

As to cadaver bone. That can be your own bone from another source of your body, including part of your own spine, as they do often remove part of the bony process to access your disc. OR they could take it from a rib, or hip, which is often the choice area. But they can also use donor bone from another human. You need to ask your doctor which he plans to use. Then you will know.

Good luck on your visit and please keep us posted.
 
First of all - good luck to you on your surgery.
I am fused at L-4, L-5 S-1, than another fusion L-3,L-4
Both times my hip bones were harvested even though I have RA and ostheo too (like most people have osteo, but my DRs believed that your own bone is better due to regection effect.
But you have to trust your DR and if he decides this is better for you - hope he knows what is better for you.

The good news is - you going to have only one level done; faster recovery and less painful.
You will need a lot of patient, keep your pain under control and positive attitued.
Best of luck to you!:angel:
 
My daughter had a TLIF with donor bone. As justoneofus posted, the donor bone was mixed with bone from her laminectomy. She was 15 at the time of surgery and is solidly fused now. cas
 
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