All advice on Decompression PLIF Fusion Surgery welcome

The more joints or levels of fusion the higher the failure risk and the more likely the adjacent joints will deteriorate sooner because they are picking up the loads. I have spoken with folks who had one joint fused sucessfully but no one with more than one level fused that I've spoken to has ever been improved. In my case of 2 levels it has illiminated my ability to get a night of sleep. I can now only sleep in 1 1/2 -3 hour blocks for 6 1/2 hours max and only with sleep aids otherwise its only 4 hours total.Fusion turns a spine that was designed to flex in order to accomodate normal conscious and unconsious movement. However, significant pain results when from those movements if a spine has  been fused; especially with more than one level of fusion. So I would have tolerated the higher pain level that I had before fusion that occur repeatedly rather than the slightly lower pain level that I have all the time since fusion. Hope that helps 

My cervical and lumbar spines are total messes thanks to the arthritis associated with hemochromatosis.  I have also given anesthesia for innumerable spinal fusions and I have seen what a bloody, invasive procedure it is.  Expect a prolonged recovery period even though it is only one level, unless you are having some kind of laparoscopic procedure, these surgeons will expose EVERYTHING in their way to do the fusion.  Moving all that around and putting it back means PAIN for you afterwards.  It is for those reasons, and the many failed back patients I had in my pain clinic that I have avoided fusion surgery for my neck or back.

As for what is natural, I am always reminded that when I went into my Pilates instructor with some of my worst back pain she would always take me first take me to a machine called the Cadillac for a series of roll downs.  You hang on a bar for support and try as best you can to roll down onto the bed one vertebrate at a time.  It is extraordinarily difficult when your back is in spasm and hurting, but the stretch when you get it right is oh so good and is natural for your back.  That's how your back was meant to move.  Once you fuse it, you won't be able to do a roll down.  I can't imagine never feeling that beautiful release when my muscles finally give up and let my vertebrate roll down.

Be sure and ask what type of media he will be using for the Fusion and the success rate of said material. If he says Infuse RUN. No, using successful Fusion material is very important to a successful procedure. I have 11 years of chronic pain to prove that the wrong material plus the surgeon's inexperience with it can lead to disastrous results.

Hi there.  I had anterior lumbar fusion at L5/S1 last July and swear it was the best choice I could have made.  I am 42 and lived with back pain for nearly 18 years but it took a ruptured disc to finally get some attention.  I had a microdiscectomy first and that did nothing for me, actually caused me more pain and discomfort.  My surgeon wanted to do a disc replacement but my insurance said that I showed too much degeneration at L4/L5 so fusion was my last option.

The surgery and recovery was very difficult, once I was cleared to start PT I requested and got my way with just aquatic therapy.  I swear that this made all the difference.  I did this for 2X per week for 6 weeks and felt great afterwards.  My new found sciatic pain eventually disappeared and my back feels great.  There are new challenges and limitations that come along with a fusion but every day is an education.  Now that the weather is better I've began running again and will swing a golf club here soon.  I really feel like the future is bright as long as I take care of my back with proper posture, lifting, and twisting.  Good luck and trust in your doctors and the system.

Brent

I had cadaver bone for my fusion and it really limited the pain I went through.  Not only are you dealing with abdomen pain and back pain but you will suffer through the hip pain.  I've heard that it is a miserable thing to go through on top of everything else.  I'd ask if cadaver bone is an option where you're at.  A fusion can take up to 2 years to complete the process and that's including your bone as a donor.

I think using your own bone is a better choice just because you don't have to deal with any rejection issues at all. Yes, most people tolerate cadaver tissue very well, but even microscopic inflammation because of rejection can be the source of failed back syndrome, so I think staying with your own bone grafts is a great idea.  I also agree with the poster that starting PT as soon as you can in a pool is an awesome idea.  My back got so bad once I could barely move and as new studies have been showing that bed rest really isn't the best thing for a flare up, going to PT is, a gentle regimen in a nice warm pool really did do the trick for me.  LOL it was getting me out of the house and to the pool that was the challenge. Finally, given this damn war on opioids, the orthopedic docs are under considerable scrutiny and I've even seen some looney tune suggestions that all patients should only be sent home with a 5 day supply of pain pills.  Do make sure you have your pain needs adequately addressed BEFORE discharge.  Once you leave the hospital it is extremely hard to get further meds until your post op appointment.  Good Luck!