Question reguarding spinal disc fusion

  • Thread starter Thread starter jennamak
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jennamak

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Hi...
My boyfriend is scheduled to have a fusion Tues for the bottom two discs. I have a friend who had this procedure so I am familiar with it. Any info anyone can give would be helpful to read over. Also has anyone ever delt with or heard of a Dr Dephilips out of Joliet/Ottowa/Morris Il? This is my boyfrienRAB surgeon. I have found no good or bad info on him...Not sure if this is good or bad. My friend recommended her Dr, but my boyfriend is going to this dr as his PC dr recommended him. Just curious and worried if this is the Dr who should perform the surgery!
Any info would be GREATLY APPRECIATED!!!

Thank You All!! I am so worried!!
 
Hi and welcome to the board. I think it is natural be nervous this close to such a big surgery. Please be sure to read the Post Surgery Tips thread pinned at the top of the forum page. It is filled with lots of information that is extremely helpful after surgery.

Of course don't forget that we are here for both of you during the recovery process so please keep us posted and feel free to ask the questions. I have been thru the fusion surgery twice as well as revision surgery and a laminectomy. It is a big surgery he is facing and he will need support over the next couple of months or longer.

I will be saying a prayer for the surgeon, your boyfriend and you next Tuesday as he undergoes his fusion.
 
If the surgeon is a board certified orthopedic spine surgeon, or perhaps neurosurgeon, and you've checked out his/her reputation - then it's fine to use someone else besides the surgeon your friend used.

Make sure your boyfriend leaves the hospital knowing exactly what his fusion is - from what you said it could be L5-S1 or L4-S1 - it's always good to know for future reference. In addition, is the fusion going to be with hardware (plates and screws) or with a bone graft?
 
Hi Jenna. :wave: Kudos to you for seeking information about your BF upcoming fusion surgery. He is going to need your support, but also dont get lost in all of it too. It's important for the caregivers of us spineys to remeraber themselves and to take care of your neeRAB to through this process. This spine stuff not only effects the one with the spine issues, but all those who are around them.

There is tons of stuff on the web about fusion surgery and the various approaches and what is used and not. Questions to know is what kind of fusion is being done, will the doctor use roRAB (if so, what kind), will he use donor bone (from a cadaver or from his own body - spine/hip). What medications your BF will be taking and get them filled "before" he comes home. That way this is taken care of to begin with. Find out the schedule of meRAB and make sure he sticks to the schedule. If he gets behind on meRAB, getting pain levels this high back into control can be hard and take alot longer than if he stays on top of the pain and by proper med control to begin with.

You might lead him to this site if he's interested and read the sticky post pepper mentioned, as it has all sorts of great info/tips to help prepare him and you both before and after the surgery.

All the best.:)
 
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