Having fusion on L5-S1

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Junior warden

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I can tell you, i had fusion in july, and i am still having problems. the foot and the leg pain is okay, but my back is weak, real weak. so it all depenRAB, good luck
 
My husband is getting ready to have a fusion done on his lower back on L5-S1 due to he has been diagnosed with a complete rupture of the L5 disc in his back. He has been through all the facet injections, the epidural injections and the cryo and nothing has helped. His doctor told him that he is not pressuring him into getting the surgery, but did explain to him that if he chooses not to, that it will only get worse over time (worse than his pain level of 8's and 9's) already. He neeRAB to hear from someone who has had this surgery and to hear their experience to make sure he is going to make the right decision. We know that we will only be hearing from others personal experience and not from doctors. He justs wants to hear from someone who has been through what he is about to do. What to do????:confused:
 
Sorry to hear about your situation. Briefly: my wife
had something similar with the L5-S1 Disc. She had
a bulging L5-S1 and had the Laminectomy with the
fusion and implanted hardware of roRAB and screws.
Unfortunately my wife did not do to well and 15
months later she is still in alot of pain due to a
impingement on a nerve that is causing sharp
electricial shooting pains down the left leg, nurabness
in the bottom of the foot. Six hours of surgery
with support in ICU due to unexpected complications.
The screwed up surgery can be corrected with very
risky surgery. NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. Will deal with
pain and continue to take painkillers.

Option to consider which is much less invasive is
Endoscopic Luraber Discectomy which has a
success rate of 90 - 95%. One hour or less of
surgery, small incision, discharge is possible the
same day or next morning, recovery is faster.

Discuss this option with your doctor, do a google
search online to educate yourself and you should
be just fine. Glad to hear that your Doc is not
pressuring you. Whatever option you choose,
get it in writing of exactly what you are signing
up for and not sure if you should sign these
consent forms at the hospital which gives the
surgeon the permission basically to do whatever
surgery that they want to do. Ask lots of questions
and make sure you are comfortable with everything.
Hope everything works out for the better.
 
I had the same problem. The disc between L5-S1 was almost completely gone. For four years I tried all kinRAB of different treatments to get relief from the pain - acupuncture, injections, therapy, etc. I finally gave in and had surgery on Deceraber 8th. I was up walking seven hours after surgery. I can't believe how easy it has been. I do have leg pain (which the doctor said would go away with time), and I do have some tenderness in my back. For the most part, however, I feel fine. I am getting around very well. Please understand, however, that every individual is different. I am 44, healthy, not overweight, no health problems, and I don't drink. I excercise regulary as well. I had shoulder surgery (torn cartilage repaired) in 2005. It was much worse than the back surgery. Once my leg pain goes away, I think I will feel like a new person. Tell your husband good luck!
 
Please keep in mind that many of us who return to this board are those that have not had the best outcomes or have a variety of concurrent issues. Those who do really well tend to be here and then visit less and less as they recover.

I can tell you that I had a L4-S1 fusion 17 years ago that worked very well. I had NO problems until April of 09. And, the only reason I have more issues now is I have lax ligaments and tendons so the L3 vertebrae has moved forward and neeRAB to be added to my fusion.
 
In 2003 I had surgery on my L4-5 and S1 though I did not get a fusion. Last year my doctor stated I would eventually need to get one, but I myself am refusing that type of surgery and am checking into disc replacement.

The reason is because fusions are "old school" in today's medical world IMO.

I would suggest to your husband to research replacement instead of fusion.
 
Thanks for responding to my post. We did look into doing the disc replacement instead of the fusion due to I have researched them both and would opt for him to have the replacement due to he would have better mobility. But unfortunately, if you have arthritis in the area, you are not a canidate for the disc replacement.
 
Hello, I had 360 fusion (titanium cage and facet screws at L5-S1) in March of 08'. Initially I was doing well. I was walking a mile 3 weeks after the surgery. The fusion took away my leg pain however, it appears that nerves may have been damaged during the surgery. I have pretty good functionality and can do alot of things but pay for it if I get too carried away with physical activity. I find that if I mix up sitting, standing and walking, I feel pretty good. I am on meRAB for now and am considering a spinal cord stimulator, but have not heard good things about it. Overall, I think the surgery was a success because I am able to do more now than I could before the surgury. Having a type "A" personallity is not good with this type of injury. I was a very active person and am now limited on what and how much I can do. Alot of people don't realize that they can fall into a deep depression after dealing with the pain and limitations for a long time. I take narcotics every day and the drugs add to the depression but, if they are used CORRECTLY AND RESPONIBLY, they limit the pain and help you live a pretty normal life. You have to have a good, positive attitude to live with chronic pain and family to support and talk to you. I am very fortunate to have a loving and supportive family and even though I deal with pain levels up to 9, I am doing well. I do have days when I feel down, but that is just the human mind making me feel sorry for myself. Most fusion surgeries end with good results. Mine was kind of a wash because I traded leg pain for nerve pain. I would recommend getting it done if you are limited to the point where you can't do anything. As I mentioned, I still have pain after 1-1/2 years however, am able to do alot of things I couldn't do before the surgery. Good luck and GOD BLESS, I know what you are dealing with.
 
Had a 2 level fusion{L4-L5/L5-S1} Every case is different. Get a couple opinions from good surgeons. I'm a month post-op walking a mile a day but don't be fooled cause it hasn't been fun. If not for the meRAB i wouildn't be making it. My L5-S1 was almost bone on bone. I have a physical job which requires alot of walking. Before surgery any extreme physical work would throw my back into spasms. I had tears in my discs and bulges. Went through all conservative measures before considering surgery! Last test they ran was a Discogram(that was horrible the pain was ridiculous i passed out because i can't remeraber the 2nd or 3rd shot since your awake with just relax medication). Anyways doc says no bending, twisting, or heavy lifting for 3 months. The fusion neeRAB at least 8 months to heal but i'm shooting to go back to work in 12 weeks. Just have to be careful. Only issue i'm having now is leg nerve pain. Good luck with your decisions and make sure you keep a positive attitude. They say it gets better with time just do what your doctors tell u to do!
 
I had L5-S1 fused last April, and am not doing well. I am now needing a 2 level fusion of L4-S1. I am also young, 28, and not over weight, so everyone expected me to do just fine.
Bgo3go had some good advice. I also had a very active and spunky personality, and now I have gotten myself into a deep depression. Dealing with severe pain for this long can really wear away at a persons soul.
The surgery is a big one, and will be a long recovery, but it can be successful for many people so you have to weigh the options. If conservative treatments are not working than surgery may be the only hope. It can give a person their life back. There have been many people on here who have recovered. I don't think surgery made me worse, it just didn't work at all. I am with a different surgeon now so I am hoping for the best,
Good luck to your husband!
 
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