Fusion. .what's involed ?

Hi Terri,

It depends on what type of fusion your surgeon is planning. Is it in via back, side or front? Are they putting in hardware? Cages, rods, screws?

I've just had a double fusion L4-S1 after a failed L4/L5 discetomy in 2012. Also had a successful one in 2007. However, DDD set in with Spondylithesis and stenosis making things a whole lot worse.

My fusion was in via the front left of the stomach ALIF. My back has been fantastic since, got some more damaged nerves and the wound site has been a bit of a pain to heal but would I go through it again? Yes!

My nerve damage will never be fixed but my back is getting better by the day.

I have 2 cages and 8 screws. No rods. Think they only use rods if they go in through the back??

Cheers

Scott

I have just has C5/6 and C6/7 discectomy and fusion. I had bone taken from my hip and yes it hurt but not as bad as I expected. Was told it would hurt for up to three months but in reality the pain had gone in three weeks.

My fusion was very successful and my only regret is that I didn't do it sooner.  Follow all your surgeon's instructions and finish ALL your physical therapy.  I still do some of my assigned exercises every day. Basically, they clean up your disc (& remove any bone spurs that might be poking your nerve) and insert a bone (from a cadaver or one that's synthetic) between your 2 vertebra to keep them apart, since yours has probably degenerated.  A titanium plate holds it in place.  Pretty simple.  Not easy but my surgeon had me walking around the hospital the first day.  Then 2 miles 3 weeks later.  

Terrie,

I had a S1-L5 fusion back in 1999 so I hope it's better than when I had mine done, but I was a difficult case, but it was painful for me but some ppl have different reactions to the surgery, don't be scared just make sure u stay positive through out the surgery and your healing time.

Keep us posted on how you do best of luck

Cynthia ( Cindy)

Thanks so much for your comments guys ! I'm just so afraid that I'm heading down a road of more surgery and it will just keep getting worse .I'm having an epidural during the week after seeing the surgeon on Monday he's clearing a space for me so he can try take the inflammation down .he did say I've very bad Ddd and quite a large bilateral l5s1 paracentral herniation impinging the s1 nerve root so he just a little worried and reckons it's just going to get worse and he's thinking he's just better off doing the fusion. I'm not kidding when i say I'm terrified after my discectomy the pain the day after I wanted to die I couldn't get the pain under control I'm just praying I never have to go through that again.

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