Fusion of the spine — other alternatives?
Question by : Fusion of the spine — other alternatives?
Went in to get a dissectomy today and the Dr. sent me for another MRI (3rd in 6 weeks) because of some recent changes. Came back saying that the disk at L5/S1 is completely blown out or extruded and that there is too much pressure on the nerve and that he needs to do a fusion asap.
I have been losing strength quickly, a lot in the past week in my leg and have a lot of permanent numbness in my foot and leg and these symptoms are getting worse by the day.
Seeing that I dont have a lot of time to decide I opted to come home and look at any other options available. I at least want to be mentally prepared for this.
Any other advice for this?
Any positive fusion stories?
To add to this problem… I have a lot of degeneration at L4/L5, L3/L4, and L2/L3. So I am also afraid of the potential dominoe effect. Currently though I dont have lower back pain, just the sciatica.
Thanks in advance! Please easy on the negativity, I need support here!
About 2 weeks ago I had my 3rd cortisone injection. Until then I was able to work w/ the aid of pain meds. About 2 hours after the injection I began having excrutiating pain that lasted for about 10 days. The pain went away overnight from a 10 to a 0 or 1, but the numbness stayed and has been increasing ever since along with the burning sensations.
The day before the pain went away, we decided to do the dissectomy. I couldnt walk, sit or stand for that week, just layed in bed the whole time.
Sorry to be so long winded, just want to lay the facts out.
Best answer:
Answer by mommanuke
My spinal fusion was at C4/5 C5/6. I was losing function and muscle mass in my left upper arm. The surgery went OK and the recovery was as expected. I no longer have the problem, although I occasionally have some pain, but not anything I can’t deal with.
If you are really uncertain, I would ask for a second opinion ASAP, as it sounds like the consequences of not getting any treatment could be pretty severe. If you have that many bad discs, maybe they would want to do the steel rod implantation through all of them, although this also has long term consequences. Only another surgeon can tell you if what they are wanting to do is appropriate.
What do you think? Answer below!
First of all, go onto my profile and write or IM me and I can share with you my girlfriend’s fusion which, for her, was a total success. Normally, I would personally recommend physical therapy, working out, pain shots, and narcotic pain medication. But at this point, what you described, there is no other choice but to go through a fusion. I’m afraid that if you don’t have a fusion, in your case, that some of the damage could be permanent.
I have no words of comfort that I can give you short of giving you my support and being there to listen to you. Hopefully, you and my girlfriend can talk and she can tell you what her experience(s) were like. I face a fusion or spinal replacement in the future and can only imagine what you’re going through. If you want support, then write me and my beloved. With the two of us, you will have it.
I just had a percutaneous discectomy done on June 1st and I am doing very well. Please check into this option before doing a fusion. This is my 2nd surgery in 10 yrs on l4/l5 and l5/s1. I wish you luck.
I had a fusion of L4/5 L5/S1, but mine did not turn out so well. I will not elaborate on it, but I will tell you that you are at a point that you really have no other options. Things turn out far better than they do otherwise. You need to go ahead and have this done or you will continue to have this horrible pain in your back and leg forever and it will only get worse. My prayers are with you.