XLIF surgery seems to be a SUCCESS!

[labfish]

I now have 3 Implants in my lumbar spine and am about 1 inch taller now!
I had XLIF surgery on Feb. 1 with 2 inserts (no plates or screws were used) placed at L3/L4 and L4/5. (This was the followup after my 15 hr. July 2007 surgery when I had 1 Extensure placed at L2/L3.) I couldn't lift my right leg for about a week because the psoas muscle is where the apparatus tunnels through. But that got better. I had more pain following this surgery but by about 2 weeks out, I was off vicodin and taking only 1-2 Aleve a day!
I am now 10 weeks out and doing physical therapy including warm water work and loving it! My physical therapist told me to quit trying to do too much. But I have no sciatic pain at all and last week walked nearly a mile with absolutely NO PAIN at all!!! This is after nearly 7 yrs. of it.
I thought I would let everyone know that these implants can work. My dried up discs were removed and just the plastic ring implants were put in to lift the vertebrate off the nerve roots.

[ZorroSF]

so is this a fusion? Or do they just insert a plastic spacer where the disc used to be?

[berry]

Hi there Labfish

That sounds GREAT, congratulations on what sounds like a very successful surgery. Do you have any pics of your x-rays that you could post for us to see?

Well done and may you continue to improve.

Regards

Lynda

[labfish]

It is a "soft" fusion using a bone matrix that is applied to the plastic inserts. It is not as hard on neighboring discs. I noticed that you have S1 involvement. I don't think XLIF can be used for S1 as the approach is from the side and to get to S1 can't be reached since the instruments would have to go up and over the pubic bone.
I have had no problems with being "fused" so far with movement. I had an Xray yesterday to see how the bone growth is doing and will have another in 3 more months making it 6 months post-op.

I am now walking 2 times a day for 10 minutes and having absolutely no pain. The thing now is building up the muscles.

[labfish]

I just had 3 month post-op xrays taken yesterday to see how the fusion is going with the bone growing over the bone matrix used
to "cement" the inserts. I'm not sure when I can get "pics" of them. When I do, I'll see if I can get them on here.

I do continue to improve and am keeping my fingers crossed. It sure is great to walk nearly a mile without any pain.

[Terry]

Good for you on your continued success. It's great to get our lives back and do things that we used to love.

Hang in there.

Terry Newton

[ans]

Wishing you well as a pioneer and hope this will resolve your back problems forever.

[PolliBibbs]

Can you tell me what to expect right after fusion. I am due surgery next week. Pain level and how bad for how long? Thanks for any info