Posted , 9 users are following.
Im having a L4 L5 S1 spinal fusion done Sept 1st. Curious about your recovery & final outcomes of patients who've had similar surgery. Also wanted to know if you had a front incision or back incision surgery
0 likes, 22 replies
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james15716 bethel0622
Posted
I had the same surgery in 94, with hardware and a bone stimulator. The surgeon that performed my surgery did so from the back.Originally, what was suppose to take 6 to 8 hours, turned into 10. I had a 1 week hospital stay and, the healing time was 6 months in a back brace and a total of a year to learn how to walk again by going through physical thearpy. I wish you the very best with your surgery and I hope that your recovery is without any huge hurdles along the way.
bethel0622 james15716
Posted
jannie11 bethel0622
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. My surgery was from the back, with one incision directly over my spine and the other to the left of my spine, to access my hip for the bone donation.
Good luck with your surgery.
bethel0622 jannie11
Posted
paula170366 bethel0622
Posted
I had this done about 6/7 years ago and has been the best thing I did. I was like a little old granny walking or rather not walking.
I had a faster recovery from this than a previous disc trim! I had back entry and they just reopened up my old scar and elongated it to about 6 inches. I get a bit of stiffness when I'm on long flights or been sitting too long but it's a fraction of what pain and discomfort I had before. It's the last option but the only one when you've tried other things.
Good luck and enjoy the break from housework etc. Don't be in a rush though and walking is the best route to recovery. Slowly and a little more each day
bethel0622 paula170366
Posted
ellen82139 bethel0622
Posted
Hi bethel I'm the very biggest wimp going,have just completed 40 years nursing,unfortunately not paid pension all that time]) I had c5/6 Discectomy and fusion 3 years ago amazing results,have now had L3/4 fusion in march
have now quit nursing,this was a work related accident on nights,with a stupid chair I sat on,provided by NHS.
anyhow doing reasonably ok but get ok days then niggldaysif I do too much