considering fusion l5 s1

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apocalypto22

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hi,if a person has the plif first and it doesn't take that means next trip you need the anterior approach?no end to this type surgery.good thing I read this boarRAB or i would been in for a real treat,cause the doctors told me very little.they made it sound so easy.I too suffering from a failed back disc trouble,now got L5S1 narrowing disc.I been using the radio frequency,but I'm under WC and its not easy cause they insist i take surgery in order to continue to get my meRAB.ridiculous.
 
I would only consider back fusion as the last resort. It is very painfull and the recovery is long and the results are not guaranteed.
I had my first fusion L4/5 S1 after an injury fighting a fire. This surgery was successfull until post op complicaions started 6 years later. Scar tissue started to close of the spinal column at L4 and my L2and L3 herniated from having to do the additional work caused by the fusion of the first discs. I then had my second surgery a nerve decompression. The Dr. was supposed to fuse L3 but he changed his mind while operating. I was always in pain after this surgery and required pain meRAB to make live liveable. The pain meRAB required for chronic back pain can be very debilitating. Life is not enjoyable when you need the heavy duty pain meRAB to get you through the day comfortable.
I just had may third operation a little over a week ago. They had to fuse the rest of my lurabar to T12 and install hardware from S1 to T12. The first two surgeries were a walk in the park compared to this one. When you are on heavy meRAB prier to surgery, getting pain relief, is very difficult to achieve if not impossible. I am very lucky to have had family merabers in the medical field who worked to find a solution to my incredable pain, but, I am still not pain free and probably never will be. I can only hope it will get better. There are no garantees with any back surgery.
I am not looking for anyones sympathy, it won't help ease my pain.The point I want to make is you can always get worse and if you have one surgery the chances are you will have another, in time.
A disc repair is nothing like a single level fusion and a multi level fusion can be brutal especially if you have been on heavy pain medication previously and you have had previous surgeries.
There are all kinRAB of possible complications when you start going down the surgical road, infection, the body can reject hardware, scare tissue can grow around nerves, you can get bleeding ulsers from meRAB, drug addiction is very common, you can have terrible chronic pain for life, chronic pain leaRAB to depression and some people become total disabled and live in a wheel chair for the rest of their life.
Yes minor surgery can help, but, it can also open the door for a life of missery no matter how good the surgeon . Take surgery options very seriously and have it only when there is NO OTHER OPION. In many cases a few months of pain with physio, exercises, weight loss, and life style changes are much better than any type of surgery.
I hope my story helps you make the right decision
 
Rae, welcome to the board. I have not had an SI joint fusion, but just wanted to suggest that you start a new thread for your question. More people will see it if it isn't hidden in another thread.

Look for the "New Thread" button near the top of the page.

There are lots of us here with all sorts of back issues. We're not doctors, just regular people who have been there and done that. This is a wonderful forum for support, help, and encouragement. I hope you'll find some answers that will help you.

Take care,
Emily
 
After reading numerous posts I decided to join and ask my own question. It is very evident that many of us are in the same boat (PAIN), but everyone's situation is very different so here it goes...

Two years ago I had a discectomy which was pretty severe on my l4-l5 and a small bulge on l5-s1. The surgery was a complete success, going from a wheelchair to running! However, I now have a lot of pain on my left side and taking motrin like candy, which I stopped as it isn't doing a thing for my pain. It is not crippling but I feel like a very old man especially at night. I would prefer not to have a fusion considering how invasive it is but I do not want to give up riding horses or change jobs. I am a mounted police officer and taking the horses to kiRAB in the community is very rewarding!

My question is... Is a discectomy and fusion an answer in relieving the pain, still allow me to ride horses, and prevent it from getting any worse?
 
I am new to the board...first day! I have had spinal fusion of L5 S1 in Oct. 2006. I am scheduled for surgery to remove the hardware for April 2, 2008. I am a little nervous, but realize I am doing the right thing. I am not a doctor, but when I saw my xray at my 3 month post op appointment I knew that I would need to have the hardware removed eventually. The xray showed the hardware with the screws had slipped out of place. I believe what I am constantly feeling is the pointed end of one of the screws rubbing under my skin on my back. The discomfort has always been in the same place on my back. The fusion took but am having a hardware problem.:)
 
First, THANK YOU for your service :)

From what I understand, surgery is a temporary fix and eventually the pain will return...but I certainly have zero experience in surgery...YET. I'm considering it too....but then I'm also thinking about another cortizone shot. It worked once...for a while. Have you tried that yet? Physical Therapy has given me improvement during the day, but nights around here are excrusiating. I just can't imagine being in this pain, and worse, for the rest of my life.

I do wish you luck....it would be devistating to lose the job you love. Hope to see you around.
 
Hello grandma,

Welcome to the board. Do you mind me asking who is your doctor? Were you told why the hardware would slip out of place?

Hopefully your surgery will be a success and you will not have that pain any longer! I hear the revision surgery is easier, with a faster recovery time.
 
You will know when you would need to do the surgery i dont know if i would say wait until the lastes possible time. Cause i waited and have permanent nerve damage in left leg. And i am in the beginning of incontinence and i dont know why anyone would wait that long. I dont know i guess that is what i think cause i know how erabarraing mine is and its not as bad as it could get. Good luck!!
 
Welcome aboard Rae62. I will make this short and if anyone wants more detail I would be happy to provide it for you. I have fusion of L5 S1 in October of 2006. April 2, 2008 I had a second surgery to have the hardware removed. I am very happy with the results so far. I hope this will put just about back (no pun intented, he he) where I was before all this began in July of 2005. I am wearing my brace agin when up, and using a walker as it keeps the pressure off of the verterbrae and skin, muscel, etc. as they heal. Give me a reply if you want more information. Enjoy your day.
 
What a noble job you have and you obviously love what you do. The disectomy allowed you to get back to life. The other disc was still bulging l5/s1 and I take it, it was left alone.

Now it's acting up? Everyone is different and it's hard to say if surgery will solve your problem and you'll be painfree as a normal person can be, is unknown.

I could barely walk before I was fused (l4/l5) and I can't imagine where I would be had I not had the surgery. My disc was blown and was about to collapse. I had to have the surgery (a fusion) and I wanted it. It improved my pain by 85%. I also have a bulging disc at l5/s1 that's been there since age 18 at least and up to the surgery, it caused me no pain, so it was left alone too. It may now be bothering me some.. we don't know yet.

I had horses and rode, etc. But I haven't done so in years now. So my body is not conditioned to do so anymore. Yours is. You ride all the time. So there is a good chance that you should be able to return to doing that and with no problems.

Most fusions go really well and people are painfree and out living their lives. There is a percentage that don't get painfree or that it doesnt help them get rid of the pain. My surgeon told me that he can only do the very best job to his abilities and the rest of it was up to my body and whatever powers that be. He was right about that. It's not a guarantee.

It comes down to how are you, is it threatening your life, does your pain hamper your lifestyle in a negative way, does it control your life, does it consume you, etc. If the pain gets to the point that it's there constantly, you can't do ordinary things, you constantly think of the pain, etc. it may be time to consider a surgical remedy. ONLY, and I truly mean ONLY AFTER all other non-invasive treatments have been tried and failed to help.

Get more than one opinion if surgery is discussed. And also if you feel that your doctor just isnt going the extra mile to help you.

Keep us posted.
 
I just had the ALIF surgery 3 weeks ago and I am miserable. My pain is crazy. I am out of my meRAB because I have a very high tolerance to pain med and am now feeling withdrawals. I can;t call the dr., becasue how do you go through all your medication in 4 days? Any suggestions?
 
I'll second what Justoneofus said... it really depenRAB on how badly it is affecting your life.

I had a TLIF at L5/S1 5 months ago, and, at that point, it really was not optional... my life was a living hell. I could not walk, stand, or even sit in a chair for more than 20 seconRAB without falling to the floor crying! If you can stand the pain you have now, then I would definitely do all the non-surgical stuff you can to try to ease it.

Unfortunately, it seems to be fairly rare that someone will do just one surgery and have it be over with for good. I had a microdiscectomy in the same spot, which failed a few months afterward. Bottom line, in my opinion, is that if you have other options than fusion exhaust them first.

My fusion was a lifesaver and I would definitely do it again in a heartbeat... but the recovery time is very long (at least 4-6 months), and, depending on the health of your bones, you may have to give up horseback riding, at least for a good long while. Another microdiscectomy may be a good option for you since the first one did OK.

Good Luck,
David
 
Hi Marlosmom...my doctor never said anything about what was in the x-ray. However, there was no hesitation to schedule the appointment for removal of the hardware. Did or do you also have hardware problems? Have a good evening.
 
I have had ALIF Lurabar and a Cervical Fusion With no regrets, The recovery of the lurabar was several months and the cervical recovery was several weeks. They improved my function ability. But I am not pain free and never will be. I am scheduled for another series of epidural injections starting tomorrow. It's been about two years since the first set.
My doctor said have the surgery or select a wheelchair well it's been 6 years and i haven't got a w/c yet.
Good luck and have a wonderful day
 
Thank you everyone for the quick and very informative responses!!!!

I've done the back academies, Epideral, stretching, massage, motrin. I just have a feeling that I could get a lower invasive fix but because of my job (duty belt, jumping in and out of cars, scuffling with people) and riding horses I am punishing my spine and any therapy I try. I see how easy it is to become addicted to pain meRAB and that scares the heck out of me. I am only considering the fusion because it might keep anything from getting worse if I have to put the abuse on my back. Honestly it hurts, but not crippling like the l4-l5 blow out I had. This is just constant, gnawing with a firepoker in the back if I sneeze or bend the wrong way.
 
This board always has a lot of useful information. I just want to say that back surgery and recovery is a long process. There are a nuraber of medications out there for any pain you may have prior to and post op. I feel back surgery is worth it. To be active again and get your life back (at age 50 or any age) is worth it. Whatever it is you need to do to make you feel better, injections, PT, or surgery...just do it. Best wishes and enjoy Spring!
 
Howie, Hi and welcome to the board. I too had a discectomy two years ago and considered it a success until Nov of last year. I started having severe (drop me to my knees) back pain that would come on unexpectadly at any time of the day. I wasn't in pain all the time but eventually I was fearful of walking because I never knew when I would litterly let out a scream. I had fusion of L5/S1 eight weeks ago. Like stated in the previous post everyone heals differently and there are no guarantees. I was bone on bone and really didn't have any other options. Right now I have nerve pain in my legs and feet that I didn't have before surgery and a constant burning back ache. I had none of this prior to surgery. I am on meRAB for it and the doctor assures me that it will go away since it's so early in my recovery. But if you have read any posts regarding nerve pain he really can't assure me of that. Remeraber, fusion is a MAJOR surgery with a 6 month to a year recovery and is in no way comparable to your discectomy. I am not trying to discourage you from the surgery but just want you to know what you are geting in to. Most of us on this board are here because we are having difficulties with our recoveries and hopefully will be able to drop off here someday. I am sure there are 1000's of people out there who have had great outcomes. I didn't find this board until after my surgery so my only info was from my doc. Had I read some of these posts I may have chickened out. At least you will have good info before going ahead. You did not mention if your doctor has reccommend fusion. So to answer your question about your life after fusion there are no guarantees, it's the chance you take when you can no longer stand the pain that you have and all other options have been pursued. Good luck with your decision....................................Debbie
 
On another note, as a police officer I just wanted to say that I see Oxycontin abusers on a daily basis. They are now robbing pharmacies at gunpoint in our area for them. They are being sold on the street and are passing methamphetamines as the drug of choice. They are very profitable for dealers because there is no manufacturing process. I am not preaching about taking these, but please be careful if you are prescribed them, and do not let ANYONE have access to these as they are the most stolen drug from people who do really need them.
 
hi, i had my fusion done on l5 s1 4 weeks ago and i am walking a mile a day,twice a day without any pain,i went shopping for the first time the other day since the op and i was out for 3 hours,we did sit down occasionally but even at this early stage i was not in any pain and before the op i would not have been able to go shopping for 3 hours,so i was really surprised and happy by that,i did have a lie down when i got home but that was because i was more tired than in pain,at the moment im surprised at how well i feel,i thought i would be in alot more pain than i am,i will keep you updated.

kezzo:)
 
How did it go ? Are you back to work ? Looking like I will be going down the same road :(
 
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