L3-4, L4-5, L5-S1 Fusion - Unsure about it - Need advice

Hi Albero

Firstly so sorry to hear about your pain.

I have been through the same as you, i was 31 ( 2010) when i prolapsed l3, l4, l5/s1 and a anular Tare as well, I had multiple injections and discectomies only for them to fail. My pain got worse and I got lot of pain in my legs and feet. I eventually had a fusion with rods, screws and cages, for the first few months I was nearly pain free, mainly pain from recovering from the surgery which is normal and expected as the body needs to heal.

Sadly my fusion has failed and after seeing 2 surgeons they agreed that I had failed fusion, I was referred to a specialist pain clinic to have a spinal cord stimulator fitted but again sadly this didn't work for me as the pain was in to many areas and it only took away my left leg pain and not right or back.

Now this is only my story, but I have seen and spoken to so many people that the fusion has worked for and changed there life for the better.

I understand you must be worried, I had the same feeling of what if ect, but you have to make the decision based on your pain and life and how badly this is restricting you at the moment.

If you go for the fusion please allow yourself to heal properly, each person is different but most have a lot of pain for the first few weeks / months as they body is naturally healing, muscles and re binding and you will have some swelling and bruising that takes a while to go. Take little steps in your recovery process and fingers crossed it will be good for you.

The recovery time seems to be different but most people it seems 6 - 18 months, for those I have spoken to and it has worked.

All the best

George ( U.K.)

Hi, I also had a "soft fusion" at the same levels as you. It has lasted over 10 years now and was fairly successful although i have also had compression problems- recently resolved with magnificent success 5 weeks ago.

I am surprised though that they are going for a fusion as devlopments now have led to an avoidance of fusions in place of prosthetic discs which have come onto the market these last 5 years- could you not discuss this as a more viable alternative?? They are far preferable as of course you have the mechanical movement of the spine still and their success rate is amazing at over 90%.With those you would not have the rigidity he mentions. 

If he can come up with very good reasons as to why its not possible I would still go for it though- even the old hard fusion techniques were of massive benefits

Hi, I also had a "soft fusion" at the same levels as you. It has lasted over 10 years now and was fairly successful although i have also had compression problems- recently resolved with magnificent success 5 weeks ago.

I am surprised though that they are going for a fusion as devlopments now have led to an avoidance of fusions in place of prosthetic discs which have come onto the market these last 5 years- could you not discuss this as a more viable alternative?? They are far preferable as of course you have the mechanical movement of the spine still and their success rate is amazing at over 90%.With those you would not have the rigidity he mentions. 

If he can come up with very good reasons as to why its not possible I would still go for it though- even the old hard fusion techniques were of massive benefits

sorry I posted too early...wanted to say that like you I also suffred stenosis at L4/5 and had a decompression in 2001...worked very well. BUT as it has recurred I have had another decompression but this time they decompressed the formina as well as the lateral nerve canal (foramina i the exit holes at the side where the nerve exits spine to legs)

AND I must say it has been like winning the Lotto! OMG I have not had such relief and mobility for 15 years since my probs started up....so IF they mention a decompression op for your stenosis DO have it-there is no substitute and has incredible effects.

For first time for years I am able to walk properly without sticks or even a limp, and can sit and have got my meds down to very few indeed- and this after only 5 weeks! wow..  Chin up- there IS cause for optimism but you MUST press your surgeon as to he full options