KBrooks,
I believe that what JSS said about L5/S1 is correct. One of the biggest problems with fusion is Adjacent Segment Disease. In other words, the pressure of the fusion on adjacent healthy discs often cause them to weaken over time and require additional surgery, thus creating a domino effect. From what I understand, this issue is very unlikely to happen at level L5/S1.
Most of my issues have been with the neck, which is why I'm on this forum. However, I did have a fusion at L3/L5 in 2010. I felt better after waking up from the surgery and haven't had any lumbar issues since.
The neck is another story. About two months ago, I started to do some weightlifting. Just a few exercises. I lost about 10 pounds and felt great. However, I hurt my shoulder and have some small tears in the rotator cuff. I also feel some stiffness in my neck. I hope to get an MRI of neck soon to rule out further injury. I've had 4 surgeries on my neck and hope not to need anymore. However, if it's between fusion or ADR, I'll definitely do ADR up there.
Good luck!!
Gene
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Car Accident 2002 - Small Herniated Disc C3/C4
1998 Larger Herniation and Cervical Fusion C3/C4
2005 Herniation C4/C5 - 40 epidural steroid injections from Oct 2005, - Oct, 2007
2008 - Foraminotomy at C6/C7 on left side
Feb, 2010 - Cervical Fusion C4/C5
Dec, 2010 - Lumbar Fusion L3/L5
2013 - Bulge on C5/C6; herniation C6/C7 right side
Mar 26, 2013 - Foraminotomy at C6/C7 on right side
May 5, 2015 - ADR with Dr Blumenthal of TBI for C5/C6 using Mobi-C
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