Spinal Fusion

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Ellie - 04 Nov 2007 13:47 GMT

First of all a little background: I have dealt with some low back pain
on and off for years. Had a few bulging discs. One herniated disc.
But with meds, rest and physical therapy I was always able to over come
it and get back to functioning relatively normal. Well again I am
having some pretty severe back pain since July. I had a month off work,
medications, physical therapy religiously and things didn't progress as
they did before. Well my rheumatologist did another MRI the other
day(had one in July also)and there is significant change and I was sent
to a neurosurgeon. The neurosurgeon is recommending spinal fusion. I
asked about epidural injections or any other options and he stated that
my DDD is so bad I am way past any other options. My question is: Has
anybody had a spinal fusion? Did it help? I have heard that many back
surgeries don't help the problem, so I am at a loss what to do. I do
plan on getting a second opinion, but was just curious what anyone here
thought, or any of their own experiences. I'm sorry this is so long but
it is a big decision, but the pain is unbearable anymore and affecting
my everyday life. Please help.

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Paul Cassel - 04 Nov 2007 20:17 GMT

> First of all a little background: I have dealt with some low back pain
> on and off for years. Had a few bulging discs. One herniated disc. But
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
> it is a big decision, but the pain is unbearable anymore and affecting
> my everyday life. Please help.

I had one including putting a LOT of Ti metal,huge screws, plates and
cages in me. I'm 100% today.

Actually this was the second of mine. I lift heavy loads, feel no pain,
no loss of sensation in my legs - I'm perfect. Before I couldn't walk
more than 20 feet and couldn't stand straight up at all.

That said, my experience should NOT influence you AT ALL. We are all
different and those who had just what I had sometimes get no improvement
at all or even go backwards into worse condition. While the surgeon's
skill is important, IMO, the more important thing is your general
conditioning and willingness to do PAINFUL therapies.

In my case, aside from a lot of weakness and pain, I was in terrific
condition and general good health aside from several forms of arthritis.
Ironically, the arthritis, which I fight by remaining highly active or
as highly active as possible, caused me to be in good condition to
recover well from the surgery which wasn't related directly to any
inflammatory disease.

I would recommend strongly that you get a second neuro consult. Epi and
other palliatives are useless unless combined with therapy to alleviate
the condition. If, frex, your back problems are caused by a weak core,
and you use your epi to get pain free enough to work the core, then
that's a good idea. Just an epi seems silly to me.

NB: bulging or herniated discs are NOT a reason to get a fusion. Many
folks have them and are symptom free. Just seeing a crappy MRI is common.

Get that consult.

-paul

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janers - 05 Nov 2007 14:26 GMT

I agree with Paul about consult first. I have a fusion but it is the neck and it was instant relief
of pain but then about 4 yrs after I developed arthritis above and below that fusion.

I have DDD and had a diskectomy done on my LOWER back and at that time was told I would have
problems with arthritis there, so during my recovery in PT from that I ruptured my neck vertebrae.
Thus the fusion.

Since having that lower disk, I now have another rupture and scar tissue from the old surgery in 98
now. I have numbness in the right leg and pain on and off. Had 2 spinal epiderals and 2 facet
blocks. All helped and now in PT with water exercises A GOD send, because the pain is much less and
tolerable. I also saw a neurosurgeon who actually recommended the above FIRST TO TRY before any
type of surgery on your back. So I suggest the NEW consult before you do any surgery.

I also would see a pain management doc and see what they say and bring that MRI. I am not trying to
scare you at all, just trying to let you know to do conservative measures first then think about it.
MY neurosurgeon warned me IF I had any type of surgery now, it would be a health risk due to my
medication of steriods for lupus and bp meds. PLUS he could not guarantee me that IF he did do the
surgery, that it would not happen again.
So please see another doc

janers

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jb - 05 Nov 2007 15:58 GMT

Hi Ellie
Sorry to hear of your pain and believe me I can relate to it, as I went
through back , hip and leg pain for over a year until I couldnt stand it any
longer and went under the knife and had the spinal fusion surgery. just to
let you know that my back pain is gone. my back is somewhat weak and I cant
hold out to do much work. I have arthritis so this has a lot to do with my
inability to do much. the surgery took a long time for me to recover but
didnt have anything to do with the surgery itself. . I had some
complications . I would advise to go ahead and have it fixed.
janice

| First of all a little background: I have dealt with some low back pain
| on and off for years. Had a few bulging discs. One herniated disc.
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
| it is a big decision, but the pain is unbearable anymore and affecting
| my everyday life. Please help.

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jb - 05 Nov 2007 15:59 GMT

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california_chief - 05 Nov 2007 20:54 GMT

> My question is: Has anybody had a spinal fusion? Did it help?

Mine is fused, but not from surgery - ankylosing spondylitis did the job.

I'm now 8 inches shorted than my maximum heighth 40 years ago, but pain-free
in the back (where the pain first appeared).

When I was appealing disability retirement, the judge asked, "When did you
have surgery to fuse your neck and spine?"

My lawyer has to explain that the disease, not surgery, did it.

... Firemen have longer hoses.

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