More back problems. Anybody had successful fusion?

[TRPrecision]

Back Just before Thanksgiving I had a L4 L5 bilateral laminectomy / micro discectomy due to a herniation and spinal stenosis / bone spurs. It took almost 2 years of dealing with pain during covid getting injections, ablations etc. and fighting with insurance. After surgery and recovery I had about 3 months of pain relief until dropping to a low position at a 22 match. Felt a sharp stabbing pain / pop in my lower back. Returned to the surgeon, had to do steroids, PT etc. for 6 weeks before insurance would allow and mri. Had my MRI on Monday and reviewed with the DR yesterday. The disk at the same level has fully ruptured and is pushing into the nerves agin, worse this time despite the extra room made by the laminectomy. I am now being told the only option I have is to live with the pain / pain management or to have a complete fusion at that level.

For those whom have been here before, I am looking for some 1st hand accounts on fusion. I have read plenty and lots of articles are stating that there is a very limited chance of returning to work if you do heavy labor. I am a diesel mechanic working mainly on medium duty trucks and busses, as well as a small scale gunsmith / machinist on my own time. If I go through with a fusion will I be able to continue working or will I be forced into a new line of work? Starting over at nearly 50yo dosent seem like the best option to me...

What do ya'll have for me???

 

[Eli17L]

I haven't heard any success stories.

 

[judgedelta]

I had a fusion about three years ago and have no back pain whatsoever. I do have some numbness in my left leg resulting either from the surgery or the dislocation of the vertebrae or the stenosis (2) that were relieved at the same time. I am retired and not a diesel mechanic, however, I can do whatever I please, within reason...

 

[oneshot86]

I had 4 vertibrea fusions in March and still recovering. So far so good.

With only 1 fusion, you should be back to work. Are you eligible for a disc replacement?

 

[TRPrecision]

I had 4 vertibrea fusions in March and still recovering. So far so good.

With only 1 fusion, you should be back to work. Are you eligible for a disc replacement?

Not eligible for disc replacement due to fairly severe arthritis in the facet joints at that level. I need to have yearly radio frequency ablations of the medial branch nerve at that level due to the arthritis. Disk replacement will not help facet joint disease, only the primary disk joint

 

[260284]

I have had a L4-L5 laminectomy with good success until a car wreck that re-injured the same spot. I was told by my surgeon that I needed fusion. I went to a PT and got relief by doing the stretches and exercise she gave me. Had about three weeks of severe pain during PT, but she helped me get through it. If you go through with the fusion, get with a good PT and do what they say. I am strengthening my core so my spine doesn't have to carry the load.

I have had great success with a C5-C7 fusion 7 years ago. Trying to do whatever it takes to stay away from the knife again on my lower back.

 

[Doc68]

I had C3-T1 replaced and fused in my neck. Don't regret a minute of it. Yes I still have a little daily pain but nothing like it used to be.

Doc

 

[Ridgeback80]

Went in for S1,L5,L4 fusion. As a bonus they went ahead and did L3 just for shits and giggles! Lol The nerve pain and damage took about a year to recover. The pain I have now is different! I got a super sweet scar! And I can tell when it's going to rain from all the titanium in my back! Best of luck and LISTEN TO THE DR. AND PT ! DONT OVER DO IT DURING RECOVERY.

 

[deltawiskey]

I had a fusion in February, I'd say it's about a 60% reduction in pain...
DW

 

[TRPrecision]

Pretty sure I over did things after the laminectomy. Dr said it was ok, so I shot a match at 4 weeks post surgery including a 10hr round trip in the car. Hauling around a pack and a 25lb rifle was probably not a wise choice. My PT was not amused at the following weeks appointment when I could hardly walk

 

[TRPrecision]

I had a fusion in February, I'd say it's about a 60% reduction in pain...
DW

I am dealing with the pain pretty well at this point. Right now my biggest issue is at random times my right leg will feel like a shock goes through it and it will just fold at the knee. Has caused me to fall at work a few times just walking across the shop.

 

[deltawiskey]

I had that also, and that was fixed... just pain in the back now. But I'm sure everyone will have different results depending on the exact problem and the skill of the surgeon. I'm better, but not sure it was worth $150k

 

[c1steve]

I had a 3 vertebrae fusion after a bike accident, also severe herniation at L4 a few years later that needed surgery.

However, this is what commonly happens with low back pain: First the spine is not straight, and like a weak link in a chain, the surgery is only a temporary fix. If the spinal curvature is not improved, the area is reinjured. If the worst disc junction is fused, usually the joint above it starts to break down. And 2-5 years later that area is very painful and the person is planning on another spinal fusion.

I went through all this, and ended up working as an upper cervical chiropractor. This is what saved me. After those surgeries and a few other major injuries I ended up as a long distance trail runner, and occasional triathlete. There are over 10,000 position sensors embedded into the upper cervical muscle complex, when the upper neck is out of alignment, the brain receives the wrong signals and incorrectly aligns the spine.

When you are young, no problem. Over time though some discs break down and radiating nerve pain or LBP/neck pain occurs. My recommendation is to see an upper cervical chiropractor. NUCCA, atlas orthogonal, orthospinology, possibly Blair, these are all upper cervical system. NUCCA is what saved me, and what I use. Regular chiropractic will probably not work, need an upper cervical specialist.

The adjustment is super light, and the improvement in the upper cervical misalignment is proven on x-rays.

 

[BytorJr]

I've been fighting back and neck issues for a while. I regret not having the stenosis/bone spur on C5/6 taken care of in 2004. As now I get tendonitis(osis) in elbow due to a nerve continually firing (more or less).

I also have L3-L5 issues. I explored disk replacement in 2008; but doc felt I shouldnt do it at that time and it was still young. I'd seriously look into a replacement. The problem with Fusions are that they ultimately seem to require more fusions because the cushioning effect is gone. I hope they've gotten better at replacement and since it's a lumbar issue you can have one done.

I went to Texas Back at the time (from out of state); thought I got fairly good advice. Not pushing them; but definitely you need to find a doctor who's very experienced at disk replacement. It may suck not having insurance pay for it all if you go out of network; but back pain is debilitating as you know.

 

[Baron23]

Back Just before Thanksgiving I had a L4 L5 bilateral laminectomy / micro discectomy due to a herniation and spinal stenosis / bone spurs. It took almost 2 years of dealing with pain during covid getting injections, ablations etc. and fighting with insurance. After surgery and recovery I had about 3 months of pain relief until dropping to a low position at a 22 match. Felt a sharp stabbing pain / pop in my lower back. Returned to the surgeon, had to do steroids, PT etc. for 6 weeks before insurance would allow and mri. Had my MRI on Monday and reviewed with the DR yesterday. The disk at the same level has fully ruptured and is pushing into the nerves agin, worse this time despite the extra room made by the laminectomy. I am now being told the only option I have is to live with the pain / pain management or to have a complete fusion at that level.

For those whom have been here before, I am looking for some 1st hand accounts on fusion. I have read plenty and lots of articles are stating that there is a very limited chance of returning to work if you do heavy labor. I am a diesel mechanic working mainly on medium duty trucks and busses, as well as a small scale gunsmith / machinist on my own time. If I go through with a fusion will I be able to continue working or will I be forced into a new line of work? Starting over at nearly 50yo dosent seem like the best option to me...

What do ya'll have for me???

I had surgery for a lot foraminal herniation, which pretty much crushed the nerve root, 14 years ago. Now, the dusk is completely gone…what they call a collapsed disk. There is just nothing left.

I’ve been to PT, I do stretches which help to some degree, and I’ve been getting an epidural once a year for last three years.

Only other thing to do is fuse just these two vertebrae. As you seem to be aware and as been mentioned above, the less vertebrates that are fused the far better chances of a good outcome.

Also, no matter that the description of our injuries are the same, nobody’s situation is exactly identical and IMO comparisons to others is of limited usefulness.

I’m getting my annual cortisone shot this Aug but I’m done with the pain and restrictions on my activity and plan to have them fused in Feb after hunting season.

Good luck.

 

[BuildingConceptsllc]

I am dealing with the pain pretty well at this point. Right now my biggest issue is at random times my right leg will feel like a shock goes through it and it will just fold at the knee. Has caused me to fall at work a few times just walking across the shop.

Yeah I know that one all too well. Sometimes when I'm on my side in the bed or on the couch that happens but it goes theough my body starting somewhere around my shoulders and it makes me jump pretty severely. It hurts but the big jump also has caused some kind of muscle issue that gets real sore after. Otherwise I just have some pain now and then and I can have some issues driving for extended periods. Way better than it was though, and I had replacement..

Don't mess around with PT after and don't over do it again. You only get one shot at the recovery part and that's the most important part. Do it perfectly !

 

[Buzzinga]

When I was doing worker's compensation for the state, we saw a lot of fusions and I'm struggling to remember any positive outcomes. Fusions seemed to lead to more problems. Most people had a second, third, and more fusions over time and DID NOT GO BACK TO LABOR INTENSIVE JOBS. A guest lecturer presented a ton of stats that fusions don't work and the state was thus making a big move to look for alternatives to fusions. I don't have any real suggestions for you, other than focus on a healthy diet that will set your body up for as much success as possible in healing; think natural foods, no fast food, limited sugar, lots of veggies, grass-fed beef, etc. I've never done it, but Keto diet is supposed to be very "healing" for your body. Stay Positive!

 

[BuildingConceptsllc]

I had surgery for a lot foraminal herniation, which pretty much crushed the nerve root, 14 years ago. Now, the dusk is completely gone…what they call a collapsed disk. There is just nothing left.

I’ve been to PT, I do stretches which help to some degree, and I’ve been getting an epidural once a year for last three years.

Only other thing to do is fuse just these two vertebrae. As you seem to be aware and as been mentioned above, the less vertebrates that are fused the far better chances of a good outcome.

Also, no matter that the description of our injuries are the same, nobody’s situation is exactly identical and IMO comparisons to others is of limited usefulness.

I’m getting my annual cortisone shot this Aug but I’m done with the pain and restrictions on my activity and plan to have them fused in Feb after hunting season.

Good luck.

Bro, go to Emory if you are close and see about replacement. That's what replacement does . If you are a good candidate, it will be so much better after. Mine was a long time ago when it was still experimental, but I'm sure they are even better at it now. I'd definitely look hard at that before fusion

 

[Bullfrog08]

Back probs.....uggggh.

Id recommend standing on the tracks and waiting for the next train!

Or do something more noble, and start a rebellion, go out in a blaze of glory!

Tells us in a few months, which is worse, the back pain or dealing with people that dont care about you, your money or your back.....the train advice might seem like a better plan at that time.

Good luck with whatever you choose. Nobody remembers the guy with back probs, but we all know the names of those who went out in a blaze of glory!

 

[Baron23]

Bro, go to Emory if you are close and see about replacement. That's what replacement does . If you are a good candidate, it will be so much better after. Mine was a long time ago when it was still experimental, but I'm sure they are even better at it now. I'd definitely look hard at that before fusion

Not applicable per my neurosurgeon who is highly lauded.

 

[armorpl8chikn]

Had C5/6 fusion in 2016. Fusion failed, screws are broken. I am way better than I was with stenosis, but I still get electric shocks down my left arm and have fingers go numb. Spinal headaches if I try to shoot much at all. No more shotgun shooting and I have to pray I'm not in a bad car wreck or bad fall.
Because I have a bad rolling walk from bad knees, I can't walk very far without bad pain between tops of shoulder blades, eventually leading to spinal headaches.
Due much to this wonderfulness, I retired in August 2020. I haven't filed disability due to my inability to remain calm when I deal with beaurocracy.

I'm not a neurosurgeon, but I know there are no guarantees. I would have done anything to make the stenosis go away, so....that was a good move. Unfortunately, there is no way for me to work a real job that requires lots of walking or stair climbing, valve turning, heavy lifting etc.

I'm just finishing up remodeling a 24x36 modular office into a nice little house. Before that car wreck in 09, I could have done this job in 3 or 4 months. With nothing else to do, my project is at 18 months and counting. I might finish it by October.

I'd say get your ducks in a row. I wish you luck and you have my thoughts and prayers.

 

[Maggot]

Went in for S1,L5,L4 fusion. As a bonus they went ahead and did L3 just for shits and giggles! Lol The nerve pain and damage took about a year to recover. The pain I have now is different! I got a super sweet scar! And I can tell when it's going to rain from all the titanium in my back! Best of luck and LISTEN TO THE DR. AND PT ! DONT OVER DO IT DURING RECOVERY.

Do your PT but the best exercise is swimming. Its lengthening without the compression. Helped me recover from herniated discs years back. good luck.

 

[quietmike]

Wife had a cage put in to fix two blown discs and one bulging disc. She was on oxycontin and fentanyl before the surgery and had to use a walker to (barely)walk. She woke up from the surgery pain free. Now works as a nurse on her feet 12 hrs at a time, with no pain other than the normal pains of getting older.
We both can call rain before the weatherman.

 

[VSP968]

I guess it depends how old you are and what you do for a living. I had L2 thru L6 fused when I was 53 and it was the end of my 35+ year career as a mechanic pushing cars and motorcycles around.
And lifting and bending and pulling.
Thank God for the disability insurance I signed up for by mistake.
For real, the only difference pre and post surgery pain-wise my current pain level doesn’t make me suicidal.