How have spinal fusions improved over the years?

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Hip2it2

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Hi I'm new to the board

My husband has been told that he is a candidate for a spinal fusion. We don't know if he should have the surgery and based on many of your threaRAB, it does not seem to be a very successful surgery and he is very scared.

his reports said: "S/P Laminectomy L4-5, Lurabar Spondylosis with degenerative Scoliosis, Right L3-5 radiculopathy." This was done by the neurosurgeon and has been listed by the Orthopedic Surgeon as, "Failed Back Pain Surgery Syndrome"

The Ortho feels that he is a candidate for PSP L2-5.


he was not very clear what this exactly means, if anyone could help us understand, that would help us out immensely.

He is so afraid to have this surgery because he is afraid it will leave him paralyzed or in a wheelchair for the rest of his life.

Has anyone been paralyzed from a surgery like this?

Why does it seem that people with back problems who have surgery, why do they continue to have surgeries.

What can he expect after having a spinal surgery relating to his condition?

Thank you so much

Many prayers of healing to everyone suffering from this debilitating disorder
Toni
 
Hi Toni,
You really need to have a heart to heart discussoin with your husbanRAB orthopedic surgeon and have him/her answer any and all questions you need answered. There are always risks with any surgery, but only your husband can make the dicision to have this surgery. Fusion suergery is usually only done when all other treatment options have been attempted/exausted to relieve the pain. The surgery/fusion should go ok,its a long recovery period though. As far as your concern of future surgerys after a fusion, yes It isint a fairy tale. Levels above and below a fusion may need to be addressed in the future. I Hope you will have a talk with your Dr. Fusoin surgery should always be the last resort.
 
Thank you very much for one, welcoming me to the board and also, be very honest and frank with me regarding the reality of it all.

I really don't feel like the surgeons have explored all options prior to surgery and I'm taking him for a second opinion to a teaching hospital in Chicago who are up on the newest procedures available at this time.

I also sent a copy of his MRI results to a spinal institute in Flordia for a second opinion.

I can appreciate the fact that these surgeons want to help him, but I also know that he will ultimately be the only living through whatever outcome happens.

I'm not exactly sure why they're wanting to fuse his back, for the scoliosis? or the degenerative disc disease.

How have you been holding up with your back? have you had a fusion? if so, what were your symptoms prior to deciding?

Take good care of yourself and thanks again for being so welcoming!
Toni
 
Hi-

I say the same thing. It seems that people who have back surgeries will need more in the future.
I am also scared, really scared. I am only 28, and my pain started out of the blue a couple of years ago. I tried all conservative treatments, and had L5-S1 fused last April. I have never gotten better, and am now going to have L4-S1 fused. I am with a new surgeon, and he is going to re do my old fusion and fuse the level above it which is failing. L2-L3 and L3-L4 are starting to go bad, but the damage is not bad enough at this point to fuse. He gave me a 20% chance of needing more fusions after this next one.
Right now I am basically home bound and bed ridden. When I am not in bed I lay on the couch. I feel pain from my mid back down to my lower back, and down both legs. My legs and feet go nurab as well. The nurabness has gone as high as my knee.
I have a 2 year old and am willing to try anything to get better for me and her. I have been sick most of her life. I am really worried that this is going to be my life from now on. I cry when I think about it. I want to have another baby and have a bad feeling it will never happen.
 
Hi Toni and Meggs,
I have had two fusion surgeries so far but they were spread out over a long period of time. The first one for scoliosis back in 1978 and my doc fused L4 to T5. It was a long recovery and the techniques then were different than nowadays. I was in a plaster body cast for 9 months (its from your neck down to your hips) then a half cast for 3 months (under my arms to my hips) I was in the hosp. about 4 weeks. Surgery tecniques have progressed since 1978 thank god! :) In fact, I dont see any plaster casts at all anymore . This surgery went very well, I spent my next 30 years leading a VERY active and productive life. I had a second fusion in 2008, S1 to L4 with hardware removal (about 2 inches of the Harrington Rod and hook that was from the prior surgery) This surgery has been a BEAR! But please keep this in mind....my situation and your husbanRAB are completly different. I am only answering your question about me. I like that your putting the time and effort into this decision, being proactive with a few opinions will ease your minRAB . Your husband is the only one that knows how the pain is effecting his quality of life,and ultimatly he has to decide on the coarse of treatment. Keep me informed on any updates....
 
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