Different types of fusions??

[hayzer912]

Hi everyone! As I get closer to my hybrid surgery in March 2010 I am continuing my all consuming thirst for knowledge. I meet with my surgeon again February 24th in a question and answer session but, I cant wait til then! LOL I am looking for information on different types of fusion surgery, different hardware used, processes, etc. Im going to be having an ALIF (Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion) from the front while they do the ADR Prodisc-L surgery as well. I am understanding that the ALIF is known to be less stable versus the Posterior approach. Anyone have any information on ALIF, types of hardware, etc???? Might be an odd question but I want EVERY piece of information I can get my hands on. Thanks everyone!

Kelly

[Jason B]

Consider the source, but here is a very brief overview of the different approaches.

http://www.lateralaccess.org/patient...al_comparison/

[cathydownunder]

Are you having the fusion anterior or posterior? Just that you said in another post that your fusion was posterior?
can you clarify?

[hayzer912]

You are right Cathy, I had previously posted that I was having a posterior approach. That was the plan but that has since changed to ALIF since my abdomen is going to be open anyways. I think I jumped the gun during my initial discussion with the surgeon as we discussed many different thoughts. We primarily discussed the posterior approach so I assumed thats what we would go with ( I was wrong) Not alot of detail though as it was the very first time we discussed fusion. So , Yes, I am having an anterior approach. I have a notebook worth of questions for my appointment on the 24th.

Kelly

[eric.s]

Originally Posted by hayzer912

You are right Cathy, I had previously posted that I was having a posterior approach. That was the plan but that has since changed to ALIF since my abdomen is going to be open anyways. I think I jumped the gun during my initial discussion with the surgeon as we discussed many different thoughts. We primarily discussed the posterior approach so I assumed thats what we would go with ( I was wrong) Not alot of detail though as it was the very first time we discussed fusion. So , Yes, I am having an anterior approach. I have a notebook worth of questions for my appointment on the 24th.

Kelly

Alif you heal a lot faster than you do from the PLIF and I have not heard their less stable. On the contrary, they don't have to cut thru your back muscles like they do with the PLIF. Back muscles take a long time to heal also thru the PLIF you can get a lot of blood loss, Alif can be more painful though in the beginning. I just had a 1 lvl ALIF done 2 weeks ago, thats one of reasons why I did it was because you heal faster. My insurance wouldn't pay for a ADR, I trust my surgeon really well, why I went with the fusion.

Thanks

Eric

[ans]

As I have extensive DDD, my sense is that a minimally invasive posterior approach to fusion is best b/c I'm a prime candidate for "adjacent disc segment deterioration" syndrome. But this is me, plus I had an umbilical hernia surgery and I don't want the mesh practically grafted onto the skin messed with.

I don't know if this is helpful to you. A lateral approach would bypass these concerns. I get confused trying to determine what fusion approach is best in reading the literature but then I'm no Slackwater, TC Conner, etc.

My very best. - ans

[Jack]

I had the minimally invasive fusion of L5-S1 Dec. '09. The surgeon didn't have to actually cut any muscle. He started out with a small probe, a little bigger than a coat hanger and smaller than a pencil. He then slid progressively bigger sleeves over this probe using fluoroscopy to get to the right location up to the size of a paper towel tube. He worked through this portal. He used titanium instrumentation to stabilize the fusion. I was out of bed in a chair, albeit reluctantly, the day of surgery. The first 48 hours was 10/10 pain but by the third day I was walking the halls, irritating the staff to go home. Went home the third day. At two weeks, I could walk 1.5 miles. So far I have been pleased with my choice of procedure and surgeon. I'm kind of long in the tooth as well. For those who are not horse people this is how people use to tell the age of a horse.

I was not a candidate for disc replacement at this level. I have two other bad levels that if necessary could have disc replacement. I don't plan on stressing my back like I use to. Hopefully it will last till the end.

[Shane]

Has anyone had a fusion or hybrid using the SynFix device? I have read the literature but I would like to hear from actual people. Thanks for any information.

Shane