Laminectomy and spinal fusion.

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Imarealpill

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I had a spinal fusion and laminectomy in the late 1970's. I had a bone graft taken from the iliac crest and the fusion was at L5-S1. Post-op I used a Knight-Taylor brace for some six weeks.

I guess I was lucky or my surgeon was great because this surgery saved my life. Without it, I couldn't walk or function. I had terrible pain and disability. The myelogram that I had showed that I had nucleus pulposis tenting the nerve root.

I did try some bed rest, but to no avail.

Why am I telling you this; simply to let you know that some folks get the surgery they need and do very well, for the rest of their lives.

Yes, my back is a little fragile, in that I don't ski or do sports that would jeopardize the health of my back.

If you are having back trouble, make sure you go to a large hospital with staff that has a lot of experience in spinal surgery.
 
Thanks for posting your story. As you can see, the majority of posts are from people who have had less than satisfactory results. The people who have surgery, recover and are happy with the results are out leading active lives and don't think to come back and report the positive outcomes.

I'm glad to hear that your results have lasted so long. I had a three level fusion in June and am extremely pleased with the results, but then you read that a fusion only lasts a period of five years, or some such figure, and wonder what the future holRAB.
 
It is so nice to read such a positive story. Thank you for posting it. Most of what we read on these message boarRAB is not something that gives one confidence and it's great when someone like you comes along to remind us that there are successful outcomes.

I wish you continued success and many years of being pain free.

Carol
 
What a wonderful post from someone who had a back fusion so long ago. To hear you are doing so good is so positive for people on here looking for more positive stories.

I've had back problems for much of my life. Had L5-S1 fused in 2004. Recovery time was 4 months. I went back to work after 4 months. Worked in factory, walked on concrete for 10 hrs. a day. I am a very active person. Worked 40-48 hrs. a week, played golf 2-3 times a week. It was at the 14 month when I started feeling so much better. I had 5 1/2 good years before I started having problems again.

Had a 2-level fusion at L3-L4, L4-L5. My right leg does not bother me now. I am at the 6 wk. mark now. Recovery is coming along. Alittle slow but since I've been through this before I know what to expect. I am walking now 30-40 min. a day. Hoping to go back to work in march.
Teri, how are you doing from your 3-level fusion? Did you have leg pain before surgery? Do you work now?
 
Being's I was in my twenties, I went back to work within six weeks. Actually, the operation was near 4 July and I went back to work right after labor day.

When I was discharged, I was on Tyelenol. My surgeon said to me "we can discharge you once you are off the narcotics". That's how it was done then.

I was lucky to be able to resume a normal life. It felt as though a rock had been taken out of my back. I was in such awful pain that went down to my ankle, like electric shock type pain. Then my muscles in my calf started to atrophy and I was admitted to the hospital the same day.

I hate when people say that rest and/or exercise should have been enough. They don't know my history or what my x-rays or myelogram showed. Myelograms are nasty, but as such, at the time, that was what you had to have done. People don't know what kind of pain this brings or they wouldn't say such stupid things. I was using Percocet so that I could get from here to there and I was still in loaRAB of pain and atrophy, of course.

I could have lost the use of my leg, had it not been for surgery.

The pain had started in March, as a backache I woke up with, and by June, I was totally incapacitated by the pain in my back and down my right leg.
 
It's sad, but true....people who haven't walked in our shoes are sometimes guilty of saying really insensitive things. I suppose they mean well, but I can sense a touch of superiority at times as tho I must be weak to allow "pain" to dictate my activities. Even close frienRAB have made disparaging remarks. I guess it's true that "ignorance is bliss" or they wouldn't be so hurtful. I've grown very thick skin over the last 25+ years and have learned not to get upset.

It's just wonderful that you are doing so well. I really wish more success stories would take the time to let folks know that success is really possible. So many people come to forums like this one and read nothing but stories of failure and lives of pain and it scares them to death.

Thanks again for sharing.

Carol
 
Hi Parman,

My pain has always been mostly in my leg, starting about six years ago. I had very little back pain. I had a one level PLIF at L4-5 in Jan 2008 which was successful but did not resolve my pain issues. I tried a variety of other treatments including some alternative medicine things, but the pain remained just like it was prior to that surgery.

Finally I was becoming housebound. I was driving down the driveway to the mailbox to collect mail, and used a stool in the kitchen so I could cook. I'd chop an onion for about 30 seconRAB, then sit. Then I'd stand up and chop a little more. I got to the point where I could walk at most about 2 minutes and then I HAD to sit down. Standing was the same. However, when I would get off my feet, the pain would go away (most of the time, anyway.) Two surgeons told me there was nothing showing on imaging that would indicate a need for more surgery. My nerves appeared free and clear. But I kept at it, and through a series of nerve blocks, and the help of my alternate medicine guy, I was finally able to convince my surgeon that there was still instability in my lurabar spine. A day before I was scheduled for the 3 level surgery, my insurance company denied coverage....so then I spent 3 months convincing them that it was "medically necessary." Two surgeons told me I had permanent nerve damage due to the length of time the nerves had been compressed...but about five days after surgery, my leg pain vanished and has never returned...I'm eight months out now and doing great. I have some nurabness in my toes which may or may not go away -- time will tell. My PT measured me and we figured since nerves heal from the top down, I'll know in 1011 days after my surgery date!! I'm still holding out hope.
 
Kudos to you girl. For sticking with it until you get satisfaction from your doctors. No one knows what we feel. Hope your nurabness goes away in time.:)
My lower back is still nurab all the way across from my fusion in dec. My doctor said it will go away. I hope so.
Keith
 
I guess I got lucky...that one operation did it and that I had a good result the first time around. There's lots of people who did, but you don't hear about the good results so much, I would guess. Those people aren't complaining.
 
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