What are the pros and cons of haveing a spinal fusion?

  • Thread starter Thread starter LilMonser
  • Start date Start date
Wow this is a very complex question and remeraber what is a pro for me may not be a pro for you. Each case is unique.

PRO:
*Pain Relief
*Regain your life back
*Spinal fusion can stop the instability or motion in your back that cause pain.
*decompress nerves - lesson nerve pain



CON:
*increased pain
*surgery does not always work - may have partial/temporary relief
*domino affect - once you have a fusion the levels above and below the surgery carry more of the wait and it is normal to have problems with these levels later on. They may end up needing surgery.
*reduced flexibility of the spine so you have to relearn how to do things
*need to have family support that will be there for months after the surgery in regarRAB to lifting/doing the things you can't do as well as providing you emotional support
*may need to be out of work for up to 6 to 12 weeks - financial considerations

I am sure that you will receive alot of responses and this is all that I can think of for a moment. Hope this helps some.
 
Thanks for your imput. I have had 3 laminectomy/discectomy surgeries (all at level L4/5) since 2004. Most recently in February of this year. Now I need a fourth one at the same level. My surgeon, who does not do fusions, thinks he can fix the level for good, using the same old methoRAB. Since I have had enough already..I am trying to find out all I can about fusions, hoping for long term relief. Thanks again for the info....I could use all the help I can get.

LilMonser
 
Okay, I entered into having a fusion as a total last resort, I couldnt move I was in so much pain and spent months on the floor. I begged for a fusion. I had tried everything. Epidurals, spinal blocks, facet blocks, IDET. Acupuncture, faith healers, osto, healers !! magnets and copper, chiropractors, you name it I have tried it.

Pros - I am not on the floor in pain, but still in pain
I can function for so many hours - couldnt before
drive - couldnt before
sitting is okay but not for long.

My life is better since the fusion but it isnt a quick fix. I thought I would have a better quality of life than this. I was expecting a better result.
Because of my chronic back my legs or extremely weak so when I drop something I cant pick it up without hanging on to something. That was always the case but now with the fusion I find it impossible to bend. You are really restricted with a fusion for bending down if your hamstrings are tight.

I am now on more meRAB than before the fusion and they have helped as I started to see a new PM and he has recommended a rehab physio who is extremely good, and I have a long road ahead of me with her.

Dont enter into it lightly..... I thought I would be back to work by now 12months later still out of work. But then I have been out of work for the last 4 years because of my back !

Think long and hard - it really is the last resort.
Round1
 
I would suggest you get another opinion from a spinal specialist. It is fairly uncommon to have so many procedures without a solution to your problem. I can't quite envision how you had 4 laminectomies :(, but I'm sure I'm just not understanding something.
 
I just posted a thread in this room on my upcoming laminectomy/fusion and now I am REALLY scared to death.
 
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