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L5/S1 fusion and laminectomy post surg advise

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Guest
Guest

Hey all- I'm scheduled for surgery in two weeks. Looking for advise on what will make things easier post op wise. I'm having l5/S1 fusion with l5 laminectomy. 28 yo very athletic. I'm hoping I will be on my feel fairly quickly, but obviously will be taking. It easy!

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • CHICO_MARX
    CHICO_MARX Guest

    Posted

    First: I had an L4/L5 laminectomy (no fusion) in '12 to get rid of a bone spur crushing my sciatic nerve.  Instant relief; no rehab.  Then I had an L3 through S1 fusion in '15; 10 days in the hospital, 4-6 month rehab.  Just had an L2/L3 LLIF fusion for spinal stenosis a month ago; one day in the hospital, zero rehab.

    Question...what technique is the doc using?  This makes a BIG difference.  If this is a traditional fusion or TLIF, they go in through your back and use rods and screws.  That's hospital and rehab time...plus you lose the bend in your spine at that location.

    For my stenosis, my neuro suggested an alternative...an LLIF.  The difference is the first "L" that stands for LATERAL. They go in through your SIDE, clear the original disk, insert the "device", use an Allen wrench to crank it open decompressing the nerves (works like a jack lifting up a car), backfill the "device" with a bone graft from your hip (the fusion part of this) and close.  I was literally sprinting the hallway an hour after I woke up and went up and down stairs with zero pain.  Yes, there is residual nerve pain for about a month but it's one day in the hospital and ZERO rehab.  

    A picture of my LLIF fusion is attached; you can see it above the original fusion.  I'm sending you a PM link to the animation video of the procedure.

    I would seriously talk to your doc to see if this is a possible solution to your problem vs. a traditional fusion.  Immediate relief, 1 day in the hospital and no rehab time.  Think about it...

    • Guest
      Guest CHICO_MARX

      Posted

      Hey it's a L5 laminectomy and L5-S1 tlif that he plans on doing. I will check out the video you sent me... thanks!!

  • JMSL345
    JMSL345 Guest

    Posted

    Im post op 12 weeks from lumabr fusion 3,4,5. XLIF worked for 3&4 but was unable to access for 4&5 had to have TLIF for that level. My doctor stated the lowest levels are sometimes difficult to access from the side (XLIF approach)

    My advice is to make everything in your home  accesible at waist level.  No bending, lifting, or twisting is so important to your recovery. Get a grabber .

     

    • CHICO_MARX
      CHICO_MARX JMSL345

      Posted

      Absolutely.  Prepare your house.  Walk it like you do you normal activities then note where you have to reach, bend, kneel, twist, etc.  Rework those rooms accordingly.  You can forget about lifting 40-pound bags of potting soil for your plants...or bending over to pull weeds.  Inside, think about getting under your sink, cleaning the toilet, reaching for canned goods in pantries.  Also...forget about ladders and step stools...especially at the beginning.  Prepare your home so you can avoid all the no-nos.
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