I'm going to need spinal fusion surgery.

[MoonRiver]

Surgeon said recovery time is 3 to 6 months. Does anybody know what that recovery is like?

[Faux pas]

1. Don't know about the recovery

but wish you the best MoonRiver!

[MoonRiver]

2. Thanks Faux pas!

[shraby]

3. My sister in law had that done twice and she recovered nicely.

[MoonRiver]

9. Good to hear. I'm feeling a little less terrified by these stories!

[MineralMan]

4. My wife had cervical fusion surgery

20 years ago. Her recovery was not awful. She's still doing very well.

[MoonRiver]

8. Thanks MM. That is good to know.

[uponit7771]

5. Any other options, there minimum evasive etc.... how many opinions? regards

[mopinko]

6. depends on where in the spine.

i had a double cervical fusion in '08. went well, recovered in a few weeks.
i understand lower in the back is more complicated.

maybe look around at options for the procedure. i had carpal tunnel this summer and heard a lot of horror stories. my doc said 2 weeks. as it happened, i was really only sore for a few days, and was back to using them well before my 2 weeks. newer procedure. but there are still docs out there doing the old one.
so....

[MoonRiver]

7. L4, L5. I am going to get another opinion and probably use a different surgeon.

But I think this surgery is in my near future. I'm in pain all day. It is only alleviated by Ultram, which still doesn't take it all away. I've tried all the other non-invasive treatments to no long lasting effect.

[arthritisR_US]

11. L 4 and 5 is where they pioneered the

procedure so it is now one they do with great facility. I've had several good mates who have had it done all with excellent outcomes. After recovery, without fail, they have all said it gave them their quality of life back. The daily pain they endured is no more and during recovery they developed better ab and thigh muscles thereby helping them protect the rest of their back from the same disc degeneration they suufered with the L4 and 5.

[MoonRiver]

14. Very encouraging!

Thanks!

[ellenrr]

12. I'm glad you're going to get a 2nd opinion...my friend

was scheduled for surgery, it was also spinal fusion.

But she got another opinion, and the 2nd surgeon said absolutely NO to surgery. Plus, in her case, the 1st surgeon receives $ from the company that makes the device that he was going to implant.

The 2nd surgeon said he had performed surgeries to take the device out.

I'll find out what it was and post.

Obviously I don't know the differences between her condition and yours.
Your case may merit surgery.
In her case she had tried, the shots, chiropractory, physical therapy, and was still in pain.

Either way, I wish you the best.
Surgery is always scary, but if you get a second confirmed opinion, at least you can feel confident it is necessary.

[MoonRiver]

15. I don't think they're going to implant anything.

What he said was that the vertebra would have pins put through them and fused together.

[ellenrr]

19. oh, ok. In case anyone wants to know- this device is called Coflex, and some

doctors get paid by the manufacturer, so their recommendation would not be totally objective!
anyway, good luck to you.

[arthritisR_US]

26. None of my mates had that, theirs were all

fusion and pins - same pins that surgeons have been using for decades. Here in Canada the surgeons won't use implants because the research outcomes have been spotty at best.

[ellenrr]

28. you're ahead of us for sure in Canada. nt

[mopinko]

40. those pins are prolly the same deal.

"pins" could mean specially made titanium wonder pins.
for mine they used a plate that they screws the bones to. it had give to it because they said it would settle back.

good luck. and my advice is go for it. i waited too long and ended up w permanent nerve damage in my neck and arm.
i would do it over in a heartbeat, tho.

night and day. why live w pain?

[WhiteTara]

10. You will be in pain for at least a year.

The recovery time is the minimal time for initial healing. I had a lumbar lamictomy -- no fusion or pins, just removing the impinging bone on the nerve bundle. I was told 6 weeks recovery, but that is the minimal time. I still use pain pills at night (although not every night now) and it's been 7 months.

Good luck!

[GeorgeGist]

13. I'm going on 2 years.

I honestly don't believe I will ever 'recover'.

[MoonRiver]

16. So sorry. Do you know what the problem is?

[bigwillq]

17. All the best!

Hope everything goes smoothly.

[MoonRiver]

18. Thanks bigwillq!

[MANative]

20. Depends on where in the spine...

I had an L5 laminectomy several years ago rather than going the fusion route. Pain was gone when I woke up from surgery, and I only needed about six weeks of PT thereafter. No residual effects, ten years later. My SIL just had cervical fusion three days ago, and she says the nerve pain is greatly reduced. She'll be in a neck brace for two more weeks, then two months of scheduled PT.

I honestly think that it depends on the person and the specific issue causing the pain. Skeletal, neural, and muscular problems all require different solutions, and everyone has different tolerances for pain.

I strongly concur with other posters who advocate at least one second opinion. There are some doctors who just love to cut or are looking for the solution that makes them the most money.

[MoonRiver]

21. My problem is a pinched nerve, also known as Sciatica.

I will be having a second opinion.

[MANative]

22. Well familiar with that! It's exactly what I had.

Shooting, radiating pain down my hip, buttocks, thigh, and calf. No relief from any other therapy, including PT, chiropractic, anti-inflammatory drugs, etc. My surgeon told me that the best solution depends on why the sciatic nerve is being pinched. In my case, it was the disc that had ruptured and calcified. When that material was removed, the problem was completely solved. In my case, only the L5 was involved. If you've got both L4 and L5 issues, it probably will require a slightly different approach.

I empathize with your problem, and wish you a speedy recovery, no matter what route you decide.

[MoonRiver]

23. Thanks MANative!

My problem is the discs have slipped and are irritating the sciatic nerve by moving. And yep, I have all those miserable symptoms. My husband got me a back strengthening device that he uses at the gym. He swears by it. I think it may help me, but not fix the underlying cause. I increasingly believe that only surgery will do that permanently.

[MANative]

24. I suffered with the pain for nearly three years before finally giving in to the surgery.

I fervently wish I hadn't waited so long. The results were, for me, as close to miraculous as I could wish. The strengthening device may help minimally, but what that does is beef up the muscles in your lower back, which are not the source of the pain, but they do weaken because you probably aren't as active as you might want to be because of the nerve pain. It would likely be a great help to you post-surgery, just to build up your basic core strength again.

A laminectomy probably wouldn't be your best choice as that's typically used when the disc ruptures. The fusion would stabilize the shifting, so it makes sense that the doctor is starting there as a recommendation.

I really do know just how much you're hurting and I wish I could channel my inner-Hermione Granger for you, wave my wand and make it all go away. It's the kind of constant pain that I wouldn't even wish on Rush Limbaugh!

[MoonRiver]

25. Yes, it is horrible and its getting worse.

I was thinking I would wait until September but I don't know if I can stand it that long. Helps to talk with those who have "been there."

[MANative]

27. You might want to think about taking the next few weeks to fully investigate...

your options and target a date to make a decision. Like March 1st, or thereabouts. From there, it usually takes a few weeks to get the surgery scheduled, so you'd be looking at April or May. By early summer, you'd be mostly through your recovery and PT. Whatever timetable you pick, I think it's helpful to have one. Those targets give you things to focus on and give you clarity and purpose. If the pain is getting worse, I'm sorry to say that, in my experience, it never abated; it kept spiraling.

Keep us updated, and feel free to PM me if you want the gorier details. Happy to provide whatever support I can.

[MoonRiver]

32. The info and advice I am getting here are awesome!

Unfortunately I think my surgery will have to wait until September. My husband has a trip scheduled in March and two over the summer. He'll set aside time once we know when the surgery is, but those trips have been scheduled for a long time.

[MANative]

37. Ah! A very important factor, indeed. You will need plenty of support...

for the weeks after the surgery, without a doubt. There are always limitations and restrictions to what you can do for at least a month, regardless of the kind of procedure. Adironacker's advice about a memory foam mattress pad is helpful, too. It helps to reduce direct friction aggravating the nerves. Hang in there, MoonRiver.

[adirondacker]

29. I had a laminectomy and discectomy on the l5-s1 and wasn't so lucky as to be "instantly cured".

I sheared off a portion of the disc which lacerated the sciatic nerve during some Heavy and awkward lifting. By the time the surgery was performed, the inflammation constantly irritated the nerve and I was in pain for over a year and a half until I was introduced to a physiatrist who gave me two sequential epidural injections. The epidurals are what FINALLY reduced the inflammation and led me to a path of significant recovery.

I found cycling and walking to be the best exercise to strengthen the muscles and I also limit myself to lifting 60 lbs or less nowadays. A good matress with a memory foam pad can be quite beneficial to a good nights rest. I still have an occasional flare up, but can perform fairly well for a "normal" person. Steep hikes and climbing are no longer part of my adventures ( I can't hyperextend). I've learned to "follow gravity" and still enjoy a hilly walk, relaxing canoe trip, or a pleasant ride on my bike.

I think the key is to get rid of the inflammation first, and strengthen the muscles that support your spine. You will need to push yourself to exercise, but don't overdue it either.

Another note... DO NOT try and self diagnose and get caught up reading the horror stories on the internet. That includes WebMD and Spine Universe. A good neurologist will be able to diagnose the problem with an MRI, along with scoping during the surgery. Try and find a reputable neurosurgeon and yes get a second opinion.

Best wishes and plenty of empathy!

[MoonRiver]

33. Thank you!

I have had 2 MRIs. Most recent one was about a month ago. I've met with one spine surgeon and will meet with my husband's neurologist soon. Then I'll get another referral for a surgeon from him.

I really appreciate the support!

[misterhighwasted]

30. Here is a spinal fusion website my daughter used through her SpF ordeal.

She found a lot of useful info from others who are dealing with the same thing.

spinehealth.com has a good amount of info & videos.
They explain the terminology & has links to everything from exercise you can do to help during the process as well as just learning the in's & out's of what you are are dealing with.
Very useful.
Good Luck to you.
She did say to stay away from the Facebook blogs since she found they were rather depressing & not encouraging as she needed.
Most people on the FB pages had complaint issues and she found more useful information & links on the spine.com website.

I wish you much success with this as it is a rather lengthy process & daunting at times. Learn as much as you can. Knowledge is indeed a useful tool to get you from beginning to end.

[MoonRiver]

35. Just googled and bookmarked that site!

THANK YOU!

[NuclearDem]

31. I don't know what the recovery is like

But I wish you the best, MoonRiver.

[MoonRiver]

34. Thanks so much NuclearDem!

I know I am one of many on this site who have needed support, and DU always comes through! I hope I have been as supportive to others.

[misterhighwasted]

38. True about DU, its very easy to show kindness.

Am grateful for the good people I have met through DU.
Do keep in touch as things progress for you.

[Lugnut]

36. I had cervical spinal fusion 20 years ago.

C 3, 4 & 5. I was in a halo brace for three months. I can walk with the aid of a cane but I can drive my car and keep up with a lot of the things I want to. I do have some neuropathy issues but nothing that's debilitating. Please feel free to contact me by PM if you have any questions. I hope you have a speedy recovery.

[panader0]

39. Please consider chiropractic adjustments.

I know there are some here who think it's woo. But I disagree. I have been a bricklayer for forty years and have benefitted greatly from the occasional crack of the back. I have had issues of sciatica, pain going down my right leg. I have been almost unable to move at all. A ten minute
visit to my chiropractor stopped it more than once. Not to cause worries, but I have also had friends (construction)
who have had spinal fusion and could never work again. I think doctors always try to sell the most expensive procedure possible. A chiropractic adjustment is about 30 to 40 bucks, although as a first timer, there may be x-rays.
It is not woo.

[MoonRiver]

42. I've been going to a chiropractor for two months.

I get temporary relief, sometimes, but nothing more. I am retired and don't need to worry about doing hard labor after surgery.

[csziggy]

41. A friend got all sorts of things done to her spine

She got plates, fusion, decompression, etc. It was extensive - the incision goes from between her shoulder blades to her tail bone. The operation was the first week in October - she is still not able to sit up for any length of time and is still using drugs to control the pain. She is doing physical therapy but can't do much of it.

Now she can use a tablet, but a laptop or desktop computer is not in the picture. Last year her husband bought a powered reclining sofa and that lets her recline in front of the TV and veg out. I think they are planning to start her on a more extensive PT schedule after the first of the year. She's hoping to come to one of our club's events in January but I'm not sure she will be up for it.

I'd say 3- 6 months is a good prognosis but I wouldn't plan on doing much for the first couple of months.