1. Community
  2. Brain and nerves
  3. Spinal Problems

Multi level surgery. Artificial disc.

Posted , 6 users are following.

simlor85
simlor85

Hello.

Just wondering if anyone has had replacement disc surgery?

How did it go, how.has it held up?

Looks like I'll be having l5/s1 and l1/l2 replaced and a fusion in the s1/s2.

30yrs old and no other health issues so hoping for a good outcome.

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • Breezy1974
    Breezy1974 simlor85

    Posted

    My dr is talking about doing disc replacement in my neck so I would also like to know how it goes.
  • scott17436
    scott17436 simlor85

    Posted

    Are you sure it's S1/S2? Those disc spaces are pretty irrelevant hence it just tends to be called your sacrum. Your bottom disc is L5/S1. I've had a double fusion on L4/L5-L5/S1. L1/L2 is the top disc space in your lumbar spine. Sounds like you are having your sacrum fused together and a disc replacement at L5/S1 and L4/L5?? If you were getting L1/L2 it would mean two op sites pretty far apart.

    • simlor85
      simlor85 scott17436

      Posted

      Hi mate.

      Yeah I wasn't sure what they were called under s1 but that vertebrae has not developed apparently so the surgeon mentioned fusion to take the load of s1'. L1/l2 is also no good so yeah it would be at either end of the lumbar section. L2/l3 has annular tear so it's kinda tricky by the sounds of it.

    • scott17436
      scott17436 simlor85

      Posted

      Damn. That's going to be a hell of a difficult recovery. Hope all goes well. Keep us posted.

  • jannie11
    jannie11 simlor85

    Posted

    I am a 66 year old from New Zealand. I had fusion at C4/5 in 2009 which went very well. 5 weeks ago I had L3 - L5 decompression and fusion using bone from my hip, almost 6 hours of surgery.  I was in hospital for a week, with the physiotherapist getting me out of bed briefly the day after surgery. I walked with help a short distance on day 3, then by day 5 I also did a few stairs, day 6 the complete staircase with the physio watching on, but not helping me. The surgeon does not want me to have any physio apart from walking, which he said is the key to recovery.  I was able to walk 2km less than 3 weeks post op, and some of that being uphill. The pain I had before the op has gone completely, and the only pain now is at the operation sites. Needless to say I am more than happy with my surgeon, and my decision to go ahead with the surgery. I hope all goes well for you too.
    • simlor85
      simlor85 jannie11

      Posted

      Thanks jannie. :-) glad to hear you are doing well. I'm remaining optimistic. What else can you do right.

      All the best

    • jannie11
      jannie11 simlor85

      Posted

      I am convinced that a positive attitude plays an enormous part in recovery from any surgery.  My health in regards to my lumbar spine had been declining for 5-6 years, and since August last year I was hardly able to do the things I needed to survive (cooking, shopping, housework etc). I did these tasks in the mornings (a little bit each day) and then spent the rest of the day lying down as I was unable to sit except for very short periods.  I was not able to socialise except with immediate family as the pain was too great to get out and about so I was just existing, not living my life. Both my surgeon and GP were not sure I should go ahead with the surgery, but being just retired (because of my back pain) I did not want to spend the next 10-20 years at home lying on the sofa watching TV.  Added to that I am otherwise healthy, so did my research. Among other things I talked to a nurse who had cared for people after this type of surgery, and also to a lovely lady in UK via this forum who was and continues to be very supportive, despite her very poor health. I hate walking alone, nice if someone to chat with, but will continue to do so as I do feel better when I am more active. It is very hilly where I live so walking route has been very restricted but now I am driving again so am able to go somewhere nicer to walk, where there is a "destination" like shops, beaches or cafes to make it more interesting!  

      Other people on this forum have talked about having physio after their surgery but with poor or worsening pain. From my experience so far, just 39 days post op, I tend to agree with my surgeon that a physio could so easily undo the good work the surgeon has done so I will continue with walking. I am almost fully independent now, except for the heavy housework - vacuuming, mopping floors, cleaning shower and toilet for which I am getting assistance from the hospital board for a few more weeks. Of course I am being very careful in what I do, for instance lifting and bending as I don't want to cause any harm to what is working so well. Time will be the healer so my advice would be to buy a reacher to pick things up off the floor, no lifting, bending or twisting, and take the advice of your surgeon. 

       

  • rachel2202
    rachel2202 simlor85

    Posted

    I had a fusion L5 & L4 8 years ago and then a disc replacement at L3 6 years ago.

    Fusion op went thru back but disc replacement they go thru the front and i have a pretty big scar!! Not sure how they do both ops together but i arent a sirgeon 😉

    I still take pain meds & muscle relaxants daily but not the amount i did before the ops.

    As disc sat on solid fusion surgeon said could only last 15 years (was a guestimate) as at the time there was no data on how the disc would respond to being against a ridgid structure.

    So far so good had no problems.

    No phisio after as surgeon said worst thing for back problems and to gradually build up walking.

    Post op recovery was about 3/6 weeks (think at the 3rd week i was in agony and thought maybe i had done wrong thing) so if uou start to feel bad its pretty normal as its a massive op and your body just needs time to settle.

    I was hooked up to an epidural before i went into theatre and for 3 days after for pain relief and also so i couldnt move.

    Its the best decision i ever made, without it i would have been in a wheelchair by now and not walking 30+ miles a week with my dog.

    Good luck and hope all goes well

  • glenn1964
    glenn1964 simlor85

    Posted

    I’ve had a Artificial disc done in my neck see four and five

    Now I have a bad lower back I’ve had two surgeries and looking to have a third has anyone ever had L2 -L3 operator on and used an artificial disc or is it even possible

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.