Spinal Fusion

[mindlessinsanities]

I've endured 3 lumbar surgeries....L5-S1 and one thoracic surgery in the last 6 or so years. I was born with spinal stenosis, which gets worse as I age. I'm only 39 now, so I can't wait til I'm in my 60's. Anyway, I'm having lumbar fusion in a couple of weeks after the L5-S1 ruptured again after a really bad wreck my wife and I were in when I plowed into the side of a tractor trailer at 45 MPH that made an illegal right hand turn from the left lane in front of us.

[KayKay199412]

I am 16 and had the operation when I was 13.(June 19 2008) I had a T3 to T11 Spinal fusion because I had scoliosis. I have worn a back brace since I was in 3rd grade and stopped when i had the surgery. And I was wearing 23 hours a day. Now since I have scoliosis in my lumber region of my back, i wear a back brace at night because they do not want to have surgery again on my back since I am so young.It had taken me weeks to finally recover. and I was in so much pain. I have 16 screws and 2 rods.

[walkingdan]

My son had unit rod for his full spinal fusion. No screws, no stitches, no staples, no brace after surgery, and a very clean incision!

~Daniel's mom

[scarfacelikespizza]

i had l5-s1 fusion w lami about 15 yrs ago. my hips had gotten so bad that i could barely get up out of a bed..

so considering how much better i get around post- (compared to pre-) op, i think my surgery was a success and a good thing..

HOWEVER, i still have alot, alot of moderate to severe pain in back, hips, legs.

cant lie flat for more than a little while. i sleep best when i have my back at about a 45 degree angle..

[scoliosiscantbeatme]

im have spinal fusion in 2 weeks from T3-L3 for a 80 degree curve and scheuermann's

[MusicalDarkHorse]

I had this surgery to correct Scheuermann's Disease three weeks ago. I am doing very well. Check my videos

[jhartist123]

@Grievousnz, Yes, 6 days later! But the damage was done! It was a horrible experience! Immow deathly afraid of any medical procedure!

[jhartist123]

@Grieveousnz, yes! 6 days later!

[iluvbevisandbutthea1]

i had this surgery done august 2006, my spine is still in a lot of pain :(

[dorkmeat]

i was back to work in 3 weeks with this fusion

[Grievousnz]

@dorkmeat 3 weeks??? WOW! Surgery techniques must have greatly improved since I had this done in 1996! It took me 3 MONTHS to get back to work, and I thought THAT was good!!! LOL!

[kaiwakagirl22]

@Grievousnz Hi i was ops coming up postrior s1 threw to l4 fusion, waiting on hospital might be a couple of months before it is done, so anxious about whole, pain at moment is so bad,drugs only just keep it a bay, some days not at all, being a very active person prior to this, so frustrating, ex fire fight and training as medic, ihave already has 2 herniated dicks done last november, so need to kow that im going to be ok,

[pamcaymol777]

@kaiwakagirl22 me too I am a former EMT never injured on the job I know how you feel Pam

[tristankf]

Im 15 and I have muscular dystrophy and this surgery made my life so much easier.

[jhartist123]

Spinal Fusion surgery changed MY life. I am now completely disabled and in pain everyday of my life. My Dr. Put a screw in crooked and somehow he didn't see it on the x-ray. When I woke up I felt like I was in hell being tormented. The pain was horrible and they thought I was over reacting then finally after 6 torturous days my Dr. Started to believe me when I couldn't feel my legs or feet. Took me back to surgery and discovered the crooked screw and the vertebra it brock.

[Grievousnz]

@jhartist123 Did they fix the crooked screw??

[deltagoodremrox21395]

I had a kyphosis in my spine, and i had 2 ops. The first one was where they took part of my rib out and 4 discs. My fusion was from T8-T12. Then in the 2nd surgery they use the bone graft from my rib, and then they attached 2 40cm titanium rods. It is nearly a year ago now since i had it done and i feel amazing!

[Grievousnz]

@deltagoodremrox21395 Thats awesome! I wish you well in your recovery and hope it continues to keep getting better and stronger!

[lyndseyrabbit1971]

I had L4-5 S1 fusion as my spine was collapsing so had no choice suffered chronic sciatica & back pain lived on morphine for 2 years. After less than 4 months i'm back at work still getting fitness back but feeling great best thing I ever did. I won't lie the pain after the op was terrible was in ICU for 3 days but as they say no pain no gain.

[28kenney]

hi guys i'm having surgery in 1 wks time l5-s1 fusion........ im really scared need advise on benefits to claim whilst unable to work to ensure morgage paid

[LauraLovesTheHamster]

Had this done on 19th April 2010 aged 14 for Grade 4 Spondylothesis.

Great Job (Y)

[DAZZLER50]

I had two operations on my spine, first one i had my lumbar vertabrae fused and rods placed all the way up my spine, second one i got illac rods fitted into my hips and connected onto both sides of L5

[Goblues1980]

I had this done july 27th 2006 and it ruined my life! I had scar tissue form on the spinal cord and caused irreversable damage to the nerves in my back.

[Grievousnz]

Each patients recovery is totally different. I attribute my successful recovery to a positive mind and very fit and healthy body before the operation, and being back in the gym a month after the op.

[diggy485]

@Goblues1980 i had mine done in 2001, but they went through my stomach so that there wouldn't be any scar tissue on my spine. it worked great for me until i ruptured the disk above it. i then had to have a laminectomy at L-4, L-5 in 2007, and have been on morphine ever since. i am getting ready to have a stimulator put in within a month or two.

[Littlewhitelephant]

@Goblues1980 Sounds like your operating Doctor unfortunately hurt your spinal cord. That is really bad luck and very sad ! But thanks for giving a warning to everyone.

[cynterslave]

I had this done in 1994 (?), just prior to FDA approval for this type of pedicle screws. No problems since.