spinal Fusion

[Guest guest]

Dysert:

Welcome. So sorry to hear what you're going through. I too am facing surgery

(either anterior spinal fusion with cages or artificial disc at L4/L5) in the

next few months. I've had a couple of discograms and know they're not much

fun. Sounds like you've been through quite a lot. Know that you've got a

great support community here. Welcome.

Robin

[Guest guest]

>i'm having spinal fusion surgery in the next 4 to six weeks. what i

>know so far is it will be posterior, and will involve at least L4 and

>L5. I've had a lumpectomy 15 years ago. i was born with a

>congenital defect in my back and my disc ruptured. Now i'm faced

>with degeneration in my spine and i also have fibermayralgia. I'm

>looking for support and some guidence along the way. And personal

>answers from others who have had this surgey. lets face it i'm

>scared. I've had 4 surgeries in the last 18 months. Non related, but

>i was hoping not to go thru surgery again, or at least not so soon.

>i have my mri on sunday, and then the next step is discography.

>thanks for listening, and any info will be muchly appreciated.>>

Hi,

Gosh, I'm probably NOT the person to give you any info then <G> I had 2

failed back surgeries last year and I am still in chronic pain My

fusion is at L4, L5 & S1. You didn't say, are you going to an Ortho or

Neuro? If I had it all to do over again, I would have a Neuro do my

surgery. I wish you all the best and we are a great source of support!

Ask me about my new MSM lotion for aches/pains!

http://www.scentsappeal.net

[Guest guest]

Hi Ray.

Welcome. I just had a l4-l5 fusion 2 weeks ago. Same thing 2 rods 4 screws. I

am still recooping but for the last 2 days been getting this weird pain in my

back. It feels like a pull..Like when i get up from the couch. I was thinking

maybe a muscle. Did you ever have that. Buts its not lower back where they

did the fusion its more top and right of my incision. Did you start therapy

yet? I will start after I see my doc for June 13. I so dont want to do PT. I

hated every min of it when I had it last surgery.

Gee I dont think I helped you any...

[Guest guest]

Hey Ray...

Welcome! Sorry I can't answer your question,just wanted to welcome you to the

group. I have a messed up L5 and S1 and don't get to see the Neuro Surgeon until

June 2nd and then have surgery soon after...

Spinal Fusion

Hello Everybody,

I am new to the group and have a question for any of you that have

had an L4-L5 Lumbar Fusion with 2 rods and 4 screws.

I am 5 months post-op and feel about 75% better. I still feel pain in

the lower back/buttocks area that does not seem to be going away. By

all means it is a lot better than before the surgery. I am just

wondering if this pain eventually goes away or is this something that

I need to deal with the rest of my life?

Thanks,

Ray

[Guest guest]

Hello Ray,

Welcome to our motley group. I'm about to get a L4/L5

Lumbar HNP fusion in a few months. Can you give me

any tips? I'm interested in how your recovery progressed

these past 5 months. What was your original pain like?

Are you on pain meds right now? What kine? What

about physical therapy?

just had a fusion at L4/5 and will be answering anytime

now.

welcome again.

joe

>

> I am new to the group and have a question for any of you that have

> had an L4-L5 Lumbar Fusion with 2 rods and 4 screws.

>

> I am 5 months post-op and feel about 75% better. I still feel pain in

> the lower back/buttocks area that does not seem to be going away. By

> all means it is a lot better than before the surgery. I am just

> wondering if this pain eventually goes away or is this something that

> I need to deal with the rest of my life?

>

> Thanks,

> Ray

[Guest guest]

> Hi! I am having spinal fusion in three weeks. <

What level?

> it sounds like I won't be able to do anything for six months? Can any one

tell what I will be able to do? My husband has MS, so I do most of the

housework, yard

work, <

You activity definiately will be limited for awhile. Depends on what level and

how intensive the surgery will be. But do plan on not doing a lot for several

months. Might be a good time to start making arrangements for home care help. If

hubby has MS and you will be out with surgery, ask your doctor about help with

housework and meal preparation. There may be social service organizations or MS

organization that would help with everything. If you or hubby gets disability,

they may also be able to help. Call around and see what they say.

> Also, how bad is the pain following surgery, and in the two weeks following? <

Everyone's pain tolerance is different. I was in a lot of pain, especially with

movement for several months...and another person who had the same surgery was

back to work in 3 weeks. Prepare for the worst case scenario.

Viv in GA

[Guest guest]

Hi in Boise!

I agree with Viv in planning for the worst, but at the same time, hope, expect,

and visualize the best. She is right in that everyone's pain tolerance levels

differ, and that it depends on your procedure.

I had a tri-level cervical discectomy at levels C 3/4, 4/5, 5/6 only 8 weeks

ago. I made a heart-level decision to go into this fighting and with the mindset

that I would heal quickly and with very little loss of motion and pain, and thus

far that has been the case. I quit taking all pain meds 5 days post-op, and

starting working again part time 7 days post-op (fortunately I work at home in

front of this computer, so it was just as easy for me to work as to sit around

laid up).

As to what you can't do, I can really only address procedures similar to mine,

and the things you are not supposed to do include not lifting anything over 10

lbs., not raising your hands over your head (especially stretching), and just

plan on a few weeks of taking it as easy as you can and gradually increasing

your activity as your body feels ready for it. The only real pain issues I had

were at the site of the incision for about a week, issues with swallowing and

speaking for a few weeks (because of the anesthesia tube they use to make you

breathe, and if they are doing the procedure anteriorly (through the throat as

mine was) they do cut through a layer of muscle and sew it back up, so there is

a good deal of discomfort with the muscles in the neck for a few weeks.

Looking at this thing now, the biggest issues were the ones I created between my

ears, and most of that was quickly dispelled post-surgically. While it IS a long

road before you will see what your final outcome will be, educating yourself as

much as you can and keeping a positive outlook can make all the difference in

the world between a failed procedure and a successful one.

One other note, if you are a smoker, quit NOW if you can!! Smokers have a much

lower rate of fusion than non-smokers, and many surgeons here wont even work on

them because the odds are so bad. I am glad I quit a year before surgery when I

found that out. Even still, as an insurance policy, I wear a bone stimulator 3

hours a day which greatly increases odds of successful fusion for anyone that

uses one. While not FDA approved for use on the cervical spine yet (it's

pending), it's approved by FDA for use everywhere else and the results are so

staggering that even HMO's are willing to pay for the device in most cases (and

mine was $6,000 and they paid for it). A company called Orthofix

www.orthofix.com seems to have the highest sauces rating, and they will send

someone to you to get you setup. I have read that a good bone stimulator can

raise fusion rates to as high as 97% whereas without one, and a prior history of

smoking, the rates can be as low as 62%.

Hope all goes well, and keep a good outlook!

Gordon

jreimannn <jreimann@...> wrote:

Hi! I am having spinal fusion in three weeks. I received my

packet of info from my doctor today, and it sounds like I won't be

able to do anything for six months? Can any one tell what I will be

able to do? My husband has MS, so I do most of the housework, yard

work, even though doing so has become more than difficult.

Also, how bad is the pain following surgery, and in the two weeks

following? I am scared to death about this, but also want to get

back to some sort of normal life. Thanks, in Boise

[Guest guest]

> Did any of you specify what side they took the bone graft from? <

I had donor bone so didn't have to go thru that.

Best wishes on yours! Keep us updated!

Viv in GA

[Guest guest]

> > Did any of you specify what side they took the bone graft from? <

>

> I had donor bone so didn't have to go thru that.

> Best wishes on yours! Keep us updated!

>

>

> Viv in GA

I had a burst fracture in the L/4, and the left ankle, from an

accident, I lost all the feeling from my hip down the left side to my

foot, they did a graft from my left hipbone, to do the fusions on my

L/4, and ankle. But this has been 20 yrs ago, and they are doing

things a lot different now, except it looks like the Drs. now are

still trying to get everyone to have lots of therapy. If this thing

gives you burning and shooting pains down either leg and back, I a

big advocate on hydrocodone, and neurontin for the pain, and

oxycodone or morphine for the breakthrough pain that breaks through

that. Those were the only ones after years of pain Drs., and

surgery's and therapy all of which they all fianlly gave up on, those

meds were the only thing that finally helped, now I feel almost

normal, and am starting back to having a nearly normal life. Hope

this helps in some way, not trying to scare you, your spine disorder

may act completely different, but if you get these pains, please at

least try these medicines, everyone I have talked to have had really

good results, also the generic brand of Neurontin is Gabapentin. I'll

pray for the best for you.

[Guest guest]

Wow! I thought I was the only one. My Wife has MS. I wonder if there

is a link between back problems and ms in spouses J/K.

>My husband has MS, so I do most of the housework, yard

> work, even though doing so has become more than difficult.

[Guest guest]

I had c5-6 fused in Y2K and still have problems (arm) but for the

injections of steroids for pain...go for it...it helps

> I'm new at this chat stuff and do not know the lingo. But I had a

> spinal fusion in Feb 2005 L3 thru S1. Has anybody out there that has

> had one of these have a problem with their foot? My left foot from

the

> ball to the toes feels swollen and very tinder. If you had the same

> problem what did you do? or did it just go away and how long did it

> take. My doctor is suggesting some kind of a shot.

[Guest guest]

I had a level 2 fusion L5 S1 in Nov 2004 and developed a drop foot

(neuritis) I couldnt lift my right foot up and when I walked my right foot drug

behind me. I have since been able to lift my right foot but my big toe in numb

and 50% of my foot and 50% of my calf/shin are numb and or get the tingling

feeling. I take neurontin for this and have found that it helps a great deal

with what I describe as fireworks going off in my foot. I have swelling at

times but not to bad. The surgeon said it will take up to a yr to heal or may

never heal as this is one of the possible side effects of the surgery. I know

it is a pain, but the surgery gave me back 90% of my mobility back and wouldnt

trade that for anything If you have any questions, feel free to email me at

cindy1966.miska@...

DeWitt <b_dewitt@...> wrote:

I'm new at this chat stuff and do not know the lingo. But I had a

spinal fusion in Feb 2005 L3 thru S1. Has anybody out there that has

had one of these have a problem with their foot? My left foot from the

ball to the toes feels swollen and very tinder. If you had the same

problem what did you do? or did it just go away and how long did it

take. My doctor is suggesting some kind of a shot.

[Guest guest]

Well, to studies that I cited during last legislative session relative to HB-2588 were the following:

Providence Workers' Comp MCO reviewed 75 lumbar fusion cases between 1997-2000.

71% had not returned to any form of work 1-year post surgery.

56% still needed narcotics for pain control.

56% stated there symptoms were either the same or worse since the surgery.

47% said if they had it to do all over again they would have never of had the surgery.

25% had two or more subsequent surgeries.

Published that same year in Surgical Neurology the authors reviewed the results of 1000 workers' comp lumbar fusion cases. Here are the wonderful results:

70% of those who had a single surgery were still totally disabled 4 years post-surgical

96% of those who had multiple surgeries were totally disabled 3 years post-surgical........

Yes, Workers' comp is a somewhat skewed population nonetheless these are flat "ugly" stats!

Vern Saboe, DC

Spinal Fusion

Hello all,

Wanted to get your takes on spinal fusion (L4/L5). Anyone have experience with the success or failure rate with this procedure?

many thanks!!

Dr. ph Medlin D.C.Spine Tree Chiropractic1627 NE Alberta St. #6Portland, OR 97211Ph: 503-788-6800c: 503-889-6204

[Guest guest]

I have many patients doing well with L4-5 fused,, I make sure the rest of the jts work well ,,Dan Beeson DC

Spinal Fusion

Hello all,

Wanted to get your takes on spinal fusion (L4/L5). Anyone have experience with the success or failure rate with this procedure?

many thanks!!

Dr. ph Medlin D.C.Spine Tree Chiropractic1627 NE Alberta St. #6Portland, OR 97211Ph: 503-788-6800c: 503-889-6204

[Guest guest]

Joe,

Despite Vern's sobering statistics I have seen some really good results in patients whom I have referred for fusion. Remember the three "S's" of spinal fusion surgery; selection, selection, selection. I would be willing to bet that many of the bad results reported in the Providence sample did not have radiographic evidence of instability and had not failed with a reasonable spectrum of conservative care. I have seen patients who had fusion surgery for no apparent reason other than their doc had recently been trained in the technique with a new set of hardware.

Freeman Re: Spinal Fusion

Well, to studies that I cited during last legislative session relative to HB-2588 were the following:

Providence Workers' Comp MCO reviewed 75 lumbar fusion cases between 1997-2000.

71% had not returned to any form of work 1-year post surgery.

56% still needed narcotics for pain control.

56% stated there symptoms were either the same or worse since the surgery.

47% said if they had it to do all over again they would have never of had the surgery.

25% had two or more subsequent surgeries.

Published that same year in Surgical Neurology the authors reviewed the results of 1000 workers' comp lumbar fusion cases. Here are the wonderful results:

70% of those who had a single surgery were still totally disabled 4 years post-surgical

96% of those who had multiple surgeries were totally disabled 3 years post-surgical........

Yes, Workers' comp is a somewhat skewed population nonetheless these are flat "ugly" stats!

Vern Saboe, DC

Spinal Fusion

Hello all,

Wanted to get your takes on spinal fusion (L4/L5). Anyone have experience with the success or failure rate with this procedure?

many thanks!!

Dr. ph Medlin D.C.Spine Tree Chiropractic1627 NE Alberta St. #6Portland, OR 97211Ph: 503-788-6800c: 503-889-6204OregonDCs rules:1. Keep correspondence professional; the purpose of the listserve is to foster communication and collegiality. No personal attacks on listserve members will be tolerated.2. Always sign your e-mails with your first and last name.3. The listserve is not secure; your e-mail could end up anywhere. However, it is against the rules of the listserve to copy, print, forward, or otherwise distribute correspondence written by another member without his or her consent, unless all personal identifiers have been removed.

[Guest guest]

Yep, trouble is and colleagues seems the selection criteria for spinal surgery in Bend (over) Oregon (spinal surgical capitol of the US) is., 1. Does the patient have a pulse? 2. Are they warm. 3. Do they indeed have a spine? and 4. Are they fully insured!

Vern Saboe

Spinal Fusion

Hello all,

Wanted to get your takes on spinal fusion (L4/L5). Anyone have experience with the success or failure rate with this procedure?

many thanks!!

Dr. ph Medlin D.C.Spine Tree Chiropractic1627 NE Alberta St. #6Portland, OR 97211Ph: 503-788-6800c: 503-889-6204OregonDCs rules:1. Keep correspondence professional; the purpose of the listserve is to foster communication and collegiality. No personal attacks on listserve members will be tolerated.2. Always sign your e-mails with your first and last name.3. The listserve is not secure; your e-mail could end up anywhere. However, it is against the rules of the listserve to copy, print, forward, or otherwise distribute correspondence written by another member without his or her consent, unless all personal identifiers have been removed.

[Guest guest]

Hi I just had a fusion from L4-L5 and L5-S1 about 3months ago.

Mine was done with bolts that screw into the disc, not rods or cages

in mine. Has your dr told you what he will be using in your fusion?? I

am sure he can tell you any answers to anything you want. But I will

be glad to share what I went thru if you have specific concerns, just

let me know. Lots of resting the first few weeks, stairs were tough

but I could do them slowly. I had a walker to get around for the first

bit then I was ok and more steady on my feet. I could not lift over 5

lbs for quite awhile and I am still not supposed to lift anything

heavy. I had my daughter staying with me for several weeks afterward

to do the bending and things I couldn't do. But after a month or so I

could get around pretty well and do most things just a little slower.I

am sure your dr will have you see a therapist in the hospital before

you leave to go over the proper way to do things. And he can tell you

how long you will be in the hospital and other info like that. Sounds

like your kids are old enough they should be able to help you out some

too. Not sure what else you are looking for, so let me know. Hope some

of this helps. Sharon Group Owner

>

> Hi,

>

> I just joined the group last month. I am about to have spinal fusion

> L3-4,4-5 on Oct. 11th. I reeally need help with all the information

> anyone can give on what to expect. I am feeling horrible, I have 2

> children 8 and 13, 3 cats and 2 puppies so any helpful hints advice

> are more than welcome!

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi I just had a fusion from L4-L5 and L5-S1 about 3months ago.

Mine was done with bolts that screw into the disc, not rods or cages

in mine. Has your dr told you what he will be using in your fusion?? I

am sure he can tell you any answers to anything you want. But I will

be glad to share what I went thru if you have specific concerns, just

let me know. Lots of resting the first few weeks, stairs were tough

but I could do them slowly. I had a walker to get around for the first

bit then I was ok and more steady on my feet. I could not lift over 5

lbs for quite awhile and I am still not supposed to lift anything

heavy. I had my daughter staying with me for several weeks afterward

to do the bending and things I couldn't do. But after a month or so I

could get around pretty well and do most things just a little slower.I

am sure your dr will have you see a therapist in the hospital before

you leave to go over the proper way to do things. And he can tell you

how long you will be in the hospital and other info like that. Sounds

like your kids are old enough they should be able to help you out some

too. Not sure what else you are looking for, so let me know. Hope some

of this helps. Sharon Group Owner

>

> Hi,

>

> I just joined the group last month. I am about to have spinal fusion

> L3-4,4-5 on Oct. 11th. I reeally need help with all the information

> anyone can give on what to expect. I am feeling horrible, I have 2

> children 8 and 13, 3 cats and 2 puppies so any helpful hints advice

> are more than welcome!

>

>

[Guest guest]

Sharon,

Thanks so much for responding! The fusion will be done from the front and the

back using

screws and rods. How was yours done? I am a little concerned the surgeon said

the

surgery time will be 6 hours and I'll spend 5 days in the hospital. Sounds

pretty rough

from what he was saying. Was this your experience too? I am just very concerned

about

after the surgery, when I am home. How far you can bend, things like that. I

just don't

want to go through this again. Has the fusion helped your pain? This is what I

am hoping

for the most along with increased activity in the long run. I appreciate any

info you care to

share.

Thanks,

> >

> > Hi,

> >

> > I just joined the group last month. I am about to have spinal fusion

> > L3-4,4-5 on Oct. 11th. I reeally need help with all the information

> > anyone can give on what to expect. I am feeling horrible, I have 2

> > children 8 and 13, 3 cats and 2 puppies so any helpful hints advice

> > are more than welcome!

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Sharon,

Thanks so much for responding! The fusion will be done from the front and the

back using

screws and rods. How was yours done? I am a little concerned the surgeon said

the

surgery time will be 6 hours and I'll spend 5 days in the hospital. Sounds

pretty rough

from what he was saying. Was this your experience too? I am just very concerned

about

after the surgery, when I am home. How far you can bend, things like that. I

just don't

want to go through this again. Has the fusion helped your pain? This is what I

am hoping

for the most along with increased activity in the long run. I appreciate any

info you care to

share.

Thanks,

> >

> > Hi,

> >

> > I just joined the group last month. I am about to have spinal fusion

> > L3-4,4-5 on Oct. 11th. I reeally need help with all the information

> > anyone can give on what to expect. I am feeling horrible, I have 2

> > children 8 and 13, 3 cats and 2 puppies so any helpful hints advice

> > are more than welcome!

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi mine was done from the back and the surgery was 6 hrs long.

I will say it was the toughest one I have been thru so far. I had a

pic line in my back for drainage the first few days and had to stay

in bed entirly unless I had help to go to the bathroom. I couldnt

get around as easily as the past surgeries even walking in the

hospital but it was a pretty involved surgery.. I also had my spinal

cord stimulator removed from my hip so I had a incicion there 3 in.

and he had to remove the wires attached to it in my upper back

another 3 in incision. Then the one in my lower back which was

almost 6 in. long. All in all I had ALOT of stitches in there so

that maybe why it was so hard on me. After a few days I got up and

used a walker to get around the hospital but it was slow going. I

had a Morp drip until I left the hospital for pain which helped

alot. And when I left to come home they gave me some kind of heavy

duty shot to get me home in the car I don't remember what it was but

it sure helped the pain of riding home for 45 min. The first few

days I really had to rest as much as possible and use my walker alot

to get up and around. Slowly it got easier to walk and it didn't

take me long to get rid of the walker and just use a cane to get

around the house. But I really couldn't do anything at all the first

week except take care of myself so don't plan on cooking or anything

I doubt you will feel up to it. why is your surgeon going in from

the front and back both?? I would think one would do the job. Oh and

my cats were scared of the walker so I had no trouble keeping them

out of my way :)I can bend pretty well, the only thing that is still

tough is putting on my socks I still can't bend all the wayd down .

They did give me a grabber to reach things in the hospital and I

already had the thingey to help you put on socks which I used for

several weeks.But at first I couldn't even dry my feet after a

shower so that tells you how far I couldn't bend. YOur fusion will

be one level up from mine so I don't know how it will affect you

bending. Just take anything they offer you at the hospital to help

and stay as long as you can cause its easier there than going home.I

planned and froze some meals ahead of time to make it easier on

everyone while I was done recovering. But it is a tough surgery I

won't lie to you and the better shape you are going in the easier it

will be for you.I still have some back and leg pain it didn't

entirely go away. And I doubt it will.But my leg is not screaming

24/7 like it was before so I consider that a success, just not a

total one. But after 6 yrs of hurting and being squished I doubted

it would be. When is your surgery coming up? I wish you the best of

luck please let me know afterwards how you are doing. Best wishes

Sharon Group Owner

In neck pain , " wikaway " <wikaway@...>

wrote:

>

> Sharon,

>

> Thanks so much for responding! The fusion will be done from the

front and the back using

> screws and rods. How was yours done? I am a little concerned the

surgeon said the

> surgery time will be 6 hours and I'll spend 5 days in the

hospital. Sounds pretty rough

> from what he was saying. Was this your experience too? I am just

very concerned about

> after the surgery, when I am home. How far you can bend, things

like that. I just don't

> want to go through this again. Has the fusion helped your pain?

This is what I am hoping

> for the most along with increased activity in the long run. I

appreciate any info you care to

> share.

>

> Thanks,

>

> ---

> <

[Guest guest]

Hi mine was done from the back and the surgery was 6 hrs long.

I will say it was the toughest one I have been thru so far. I had a

pic line in my back for drainage the first few days and had to stay

in bed entirly unless I had help to go to the bathroom. I couldnt

get around as easily as the past surgeries even walking in the

hospital but it was a pretty involved surgery.. I also had my spinal

cord stimulator removed from my hip so I had a incicion there 3 in.

and he had to remove the wires attached to it in my upper back

another 3 in incision. Then the one in my lower back which was

almost 6 in. long. All in all I had ALOT of stitches in there so

that maybe why it was so hard on me. After a few days I got up and

used a walker to get around the hospital but it was slow going. I

had a Morp drip until I left the hospital for pain which helped

alot. And when I left to come home they gave me some kind of heavy

duty shot to get me home in the car I don't remember what it was but

it sure helped the pain of riding home for 45 min. The first few

days I really had to rest as much as possible and use my walker alot

to get up and around. Slowly it got easier to walk and it didn't

take me long to get rid of the walker and just use a cane to get

around the house. But I really couldn't do anything at all the first

week except take care of myself so don't plan on cooking or anything

I doubt you will feel up to it. why is your surgeon going in from

the front and back both?? I would think one would do the job. Oh and

my cats were scared of the walker so I had no trouble keeping them

out of my way :)I can bend pretty well, the only thing that is still

tough is putting on my socks I still can't bend all the wayd down .

They did give me a grabber to reach things in the hospital and I

already had the thingey to help you put on socks which I used for

several weeks.But at first I couldn't even dry my feet after a

shower so that tells you how far I couldn't bend. YOur fusion will

be one level up from mine so I don't know how it will affect you

bending. Just take anything they offer you at the hospital to help

and stay as long as you can cause its easier there than going home.I

planned and froze some meals ahead of time to make it easier on

everyone while I was done recovering. But it is a tough surgery I

won't lie to you and the better shape you are going in the easier it

will be for you.I still have some back and leg pain it didn't

entirely go away. And I doubt it will.But my leg is not screaming

24/7 like it was before so I consider that a success, just not a

total one. But after 6 yrs of hurting and being squished I doubted

it would be. When is your surgery coming up? I wish you the best of

luck please let me know afterwards how you are doing. Best wishes

Sharon Group Owner

In neck pain , " wikaway " <wikaway@...>

wrote:

>

> Sharon,

>

> Thanks so much for responding! The fusion will be done from the

front and the back using

> screws and rods. How was yours done? I am a little concerned the

surgeon said the

> surgery time will be 6 hours and I'll spend 5 days in the

hospital. Sounds pretty rough

> from what he was saying. Was this your experience too? I am just

very concerned about

> after the surgery, when I am home. How far you can bend, things

like that. I just don't

> want to go through this again. Has the fusion helped your pain?

This is what I am hoping

> for the most along with increased activity in the long run. I

appreciate any info you care to

> share.

>

> Thanks,

>

> ---

> <

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I'm Sue and new here. I had an anterior/posterior fusion at L5-S1 in

January 2006. I was supposed to be in the hospital for about 5 days

but developed a hematoma next to my spinal cord and had to have a

3rd surgery and 7 more days in the hopital.

The anterior (through the abdomen) surgery wasn't all that bad. Much

easier than my microdiscectomy 1 1/2 years before (which failed

leading to my fusion). I had staples in my stomach which were a

little tender and they had me up and walking that afternoon.

To be honest the posterior surgery was no walk in the park and I was

hurting pretty good. The morphine pump helps and I think I wore out

the button. My Drs. hadn't bothered to tell me I would have drains

in my back. They are not painful, but a bit uncomfortable and are

usually taken out in about 48 hours. I was also up and walking hours

after that surgery too and I tried to get up as often as I could to

walk.

Before you get home, make sure you have one of those " grabber "

devices (sometimes the hospital will give you one). You will need it

to pick up stuff that falls on the floor instead of bending. You

will be stiff for the first 2-3 weeks. It helps to have your pots

and pans on the counter where you can get to them and not have to

bend or reach into cabinets. Twisting, bending, squatting, lifting,

reaching, etc are no-nos for the first few weeks following a fusion.

For the bathroom, a raised potty seat is helpful for the first

month. If you can have a safety bar and/or non skid decals put in

your tub/shower that is helpful too. I bought mine at Lowe's or Home

Depot. I also got a plastic step stool to put in the tub to sit on

and a detachable showerhead to use which helped a lot since you

can't bend or get your back or abdomen wet for about 10 days.

Also keep in mind that the meds will stop you up. Prunes or dates

can help move things along. Also some cranberry juice since you will

most likely be on a catheter and cranberry juice is good for the

bladder.

Having a fusion isn't much fun, but it's over before you know it and

you'll be back home soon to recover. Funny enough, I couldn't wait

to get home and wash my hair!

I hope I didn't scare you or lay too much information on you. If you

have anymore questions let me know.

Good Luck,

Sue

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I'm Sue and new here. I had an anterior/posterior fusion at L5-S1 in

January 2006. I was supposed to be in the hospital for about 5 days

but developed a hematoma next to my spinal cord and had to have a

3rd surgery and 7 more days in the hopital.

The anterior (through the abdomen) surgery wasn't all that bad. Much

easier than my microdiscectomy 1 1/2 years before (which failed

leading to my fusion). I had staples in my stomach which were a

little tender and they had me up and walking that afternoon.

To be honest the posterior surgery was no walk in the park and I was

hurting pretty good. The morphine pump helps and I think I wore out

the button. My Drs. hadn't bothered to tell me I would have drains

in my back. They are not painful, but a bit uncomfortable and are

usually taken out in about 48 hours. I was also up and walking hours

after that surgery too and I tried to get up as often as I could to

walk.

Before you get home, make sure you have one of those " grabber "

devices (sometimes the hospital will give you one). You will need it

to pick up stuff that falls on the floor instead of bending. You

will be stiff for the first 2-3 weeks. It helps to have your pots

and pans on the counter where you can get to them and not have to

bend or reach into cabinets. Twisting, bending, squatting, lifting,

reaching, etc are no-nos for the first few weeks following a fusion.

For the bathroom, a raised potty seat is helpful for the first

month. If you can have a safety bar and/or non skid decals put in

your tub/shower that is helpful too. I bought mine at Lowe's or Home

Depot. I also got a plastic step stool to put in the tub to sit on

and a detachable showerhead to use which helped a lot since you

can't bend or get your back or abdomen wet for about 10 days.

Also keep in mind that the meds will stop you up. Prunes or dates

can help move things along. Also some cranberry juice since you will

most likely be on a catheter and cranberry juice is good for the

bladder.

Having a fusion isn't much fun, but it's over before you know it and

you'll be back home soon to recover. Funny enough, I couldn't wait

to get home and wash my hair!

I hope I didn't scare you or lay too much information on you. If you

have anymore questions let me know.

Good Luck,

Sue

[Guest guest]

-HI I forgot to tell you my dr put in a drain in my back too

afer surgery and took it out the next day. BUT he did it since the

nurses hadn't and if I should have had them do it. He was NOT very

gentle pulling it out and the nurses told me it shouldn't have been

done that way. So make sure the nurses take yours out if you get

one. The first 24 hrs I had so many tubes in me I couldn't get out

of bed till they took several of them out. But that first day on my

feet I was pretty weak, more so than any other surgery I have had.

But it may have been since my surgery was so long and I had my other

things removed that it wore me out so much I don't know. Just be

prepared to take it as easy as possible in the hospital and the

first few weeks when you get home. Cause you won't feel up to doing

much at all for at least a couple of weeks. Sharon Group Owner

-- In neck pain , " wikaway " <wikaway@...>

wrote:

>

> Sharon,

>

> Thanks so much for responding! The fusion will be done from the

front and the back using

> screws and rods. How was yours done? I am a little concerned the

surgeon said the

> surgery time will be 6 hours and I'll spend 5 days in the

hospital. Sounds pretty rough

> from what he was saying. Was this your experience too? I am just

very concerned about

> after the surgery, when I am home. How far you can bend, things

like that. I just don't

> want to go through this again. Has the fusion helped your pain?

This is what I am hoping

> for the most along with increased activity in the long run. I

appreciate any info you care to

> share.

>

> Thanks,

>

>