Dr. wrong about ADR - talk to me about fusion please

[PolliBibbs]

I have not been on the site lately but if any of you remember me my surgeon here in Arkansas decided I needed an ADR at L4-5 and it was scheduled for Dec 3. I just was not comfortable without a second opinion so I saw a specialist orthopedic surgeon yesterday in LR who did the first ADR in Arkansas. The word scoliosis has never been mentioned to me, but Dr. Saer yesterday told me that I have it in the low spine and that you do not put a new disk in a crooked spine. Thank goodness I went to see him. He told me the many injections, the discectomy - the PT in the past was not going to help because this was not a nerve issue but a bone on bone issue that was causing all my low back, SI and hip pain. The disc at L4-5 was simply gone from degeneration and that fusion was the only thing that would help. So now I am interested in hearing from those who have had fusion L4-5. I have looked at a lot on the internet - and some are horror stories and some are wonderful results. I just kind of need to know what to expect - recovery time - does the pain actually change from what has become the "norm" for me to "post-surgical pain" - how long before I can return to work as legal secretary - anything at all you can lend I would be interested to hear. Hopefully I will be having the fusion in a couple of weeks - I am waiting to hear from Dr. Saer as to date.

[Terry]

My scoliosis was caused by a muscle imbalance that was twisting my spine. Too tight on one side and loose on the other. 4 level ADR seems to have settled my spine quite nicely. Muscles that were in constant pain seem pretty relaxed at present. I am feeling pretty decent after almost two years since my ADR surgery. I also had much in the way of Fibromyalgia symptoms prior to the ADR surgery. That has gone away as well. I can't say I am 100% but far better than I was two or more years ago.

I would hope that you get some other opinions and have your scoliosis checked out by an expert in that arena.

Terry Newton

[Johnny Vegas]

I just had my L4-L5 replaced two days ago and feel 100% better. It may not be available in your area, but it is called a Dascor disc nucleous replacement (discdyn.com). I am not sure if this is a possibility in your case but it has thus far worked well for me. Good luck and God bless.

[CindyLou]

I had my fusion of L6-S1 July 2nd along with a Laminectomy. L6-my transitional level. I may be a bit premature in commenting, but I do believe my fusion is moving along nicely. X-rays just this week show slow but certain fusing taking place. For reasons not completely understood, I am having muscle spasms, but they are higher up than where the fusion took place. So may be unrelated to the fusion at all. Doctor thinks it is because my core is so weak that my back is compensating and locking up to protect itself. Sounds plausible. Good luck with your decision. My best to you. Cindy

[PolliBibbs]

How much pain will I be in after one level lumbar spinal fusion and how long is it severe?

[PolliBibbs]

Originally Posted by CindyLou

I had my fusion of L6-S1 July 2nd along with a Laminectomy. L6-my transitional level. I may be a bit premature in commenting, but I do believe my fusion is moving along nicely. X-rays just this week show slow but certain fusing taking place. For reasons not completely understood, I am having muscle spasms, but they are higher up than where the fusion took place. So may be unrelated to the fusion at all. Doctor thinks it is because my core is so weak that my back is compensating and locking up to protect itself. Sounds plausible. Good luck with your decision. My best to you. Cindy

How much pain were you in right after fusion and how long did the extreme pain last

[CindyLou]

PolliBibbs, I would say my pain was a 10 the first few days in the hospital, but part of that had to do with poor pain management. It was definitely not as intense and painful as my 3 artificial lumbar discs put in 18 months ago in Germany. I am 3 months out now since my fusion, and still on pain meds. If that gives you any idea. Part of my problem has been the muscle spasms I have been having. But I also just started warm water therapy pool and I am hopeful that will begin strengthening my core. I am going to go out for a short bicycle ride now and see how I do. Frankly, I think I haven't been pushing myself enough. So we shall see. Best of luck to you! Feel free to ask me any other questions.

[berry]

Hi there Pollibibbs

I've no experience of fusion I'm afraid but I can tell you that for me the pain following my surgeries was no where near what I'd anticipated. In fact following my lumbar TDR's the pain was less than the pain I'd had before. I won't kid you the first day was sore but tolerable. I had a patient controlled analgesia which was fab. A little morphine induced euphoria and the natural endorphins released after such an attack on the body takes the edge off and along with the relief that you've survived the surgery can be quite a pleasant experience. I slept better in hospital than I'd done for years simply because the leg pain which woke me every single night was gone! My abdominal incision was not painful at all. Gas in the intestines was rather uncomfortable and constipation was my biggest gripe.

Fusions are much improved to the fusions of the past, which type are you having?

Try not to worry about the pain, pain management is great, just let the staff know if your hurting and they will provide medicaton to help.

I understand how you must be feeling ....for me the pre-op anxiety was worse than the op itself. Fear if the unknown I guess.

Very best wishes to you. When is the big day?

Kind regards

Lynda

[cathydownunder]

PB you asked on my surgical recovery post how bad the fusion pain is/was? Do you want the good version so you don't freak out or the real one? Just ask Tazdell, I sugar coated it for her...I'm sooo bad...

Seriously though, it's no picnic and for a first timer a big shock. Im guessing you;re having a posterior incision? Ive had anterior and posterior and for me the posterior was slightly less painful so that's a positive!
The first few days you're most likely drugged up, it's day 3-4 that's the worst. The important thing is to keep on top of the pain and DEMAND your pain relief as soon as it's due. I don't know if your hospital is strict but I got hubby to bring me a lambswool cot/crib underlay to put under my sheet for comfort, it was a godsend.

Im glad you got the second opinion and although it seems cruel not to be eligible for ADR it's really the best option for us scoliosis folk. I'd hate anyone else to go through the nightmare Im living now. 1 ADR 1 stabilisation and 2 fusions and Im as bad as ever.

[cathydownunder]

Hey PB, didn't see this post, I answered your pain question on your other post.
Cathy