Hi,I've been on and off these boards for awhile and now I'm down to the wire on surgery. I saw one of the neuro's that recommended fusion awhile back and he does 2 different type of fusion surgeries,Posterior interbody fusion without hardware and posterior/anterior using pedicle screws ,rods etc.That one requires 2 seperate surgeries and is said to have immidiate relief.I am looking seriously into the posterior without hardware because one surgery is more than enough for me.The question I have is as follows:Being that the posterior surgery scar is only 3"(micro) according to the neuro who would perform it,how bad is the postop pain and how long would I endure it being that there would be no hardware?The doc says I'd have to wear a brace for up to a year.
How long does it take post op to get in the car and drive? What were the long term results?Did the leg and but pain subside?
Please if anyone can help me here with some answers it would be of great help because I'm having a hard time with this one. Thanks,Tophatter

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Hi Tophatter http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wave.gif

This is a hard decision!!! I had a posterior interbody L5S1 fusion with rods and screws. I did not wear a back brace and was able to return to work after 6 weeks (desk job). I did have trouble with a loose screw on the right side which the doctor removed after 7 months post-op. A gentlemen at my church had the same surgery one prior to mine but he did not have hardware. He did have to wear a brace for one year and took him alot longer to recover. My doctor says he prefers the hardware and no brace because the recovery time is quicker because the back muscles heal quicker without the back being dependent on the brace. Note: Baxter and I both had posterior fusions with hardware and I had trouble with the hardware and there is possiblity Baxter also has hardware problems. Our thinking is it might have been better to have a brace for a short period because of the amount of strain which is placed on the hardware until the back is fused (of course this is our opinion!!!)

The hardware does give you additional support and you can return to activities quicker, but as you can read from the posts, each person recovers differently and there are success stories and also cases where the outcome of the surgery was worse than prior to the surgery.

I wish you good luck on your decision. We are always available if you have further questions. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/t_up.gif

Thanks ,This decision is driving me crazy.The doc did say without hardware would be a longer recovery but with my luck the screws would give me a problem down the road.I want to make sure all things are in order before I decide to get cut because I'm sure that I will not be up to anything for a while after.How is bending after fusion if there is a thing?
Thanks again for your response..Tophatter

I cannot tell any difference in my flexibility. My doctor told me the L5/S1 disks are the least mobile disks of the vertabrae. I still have some muscle issues because I am only 2 months post-op from the hardware removal. They also say it can take up to one year for the muscles to heal.

I am not sure which procedure I would choose after experiencing the problem I had with the hardware. I can now say I am a success story and feel I am better than I was prior to the fusion. It is long road to get to this point and I can feel for what you are going through on making your decision.

I hope you have a good evening http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/t_up.gif

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tophatter
I am having the same thing done this month. My doctor is doing the hardware and I also have to wear a brace for 4 months when I am not in bed. He said that speeds up the healing process by taking strain off the fusion process. I have talked to 5 people here in South Carolina that has had the same thing and from the same doctor and they are doing great. One guy went back to playing golf after 7 months. I just talked to him yesterday and he said he is better than before. I hope mine turns out that well.
Goodluck to you and your decision

Hi Tophatter,

I had L5-S1 Posterior fusion with Pedical Screw and Rod placement back in 1999 (my first surgery.) The pain was terrible the first couple of days but as each day went by it became a little better. I was fitted for the back brace the day after surgery and I'll tell you that was as bad as the surgery itself so if you need a brace see if you can get fitted before surgey this will be helpful. I walked with a cane for about 3 weeks and I kept wearing the backbrace for about 6 Months. When I got home I found sleeping with the brace on but loose was better (it helped my back with stabilization.) I hope this helped, if there's anything else I can tell you let me know.

Hey, Tophatter

I had a PLIF on L5/S1 March 5. Have hardware and no brace. There is some immobility from bending sideways and now I am very stiff in the mornings and am actually in more pain now that directly after the surgery - but still tons better than pre surgery.

My favorite story is the nurses are all wigged out in recovery trying to control your pain and they kept asking me what my pain level was. After assessing everytime, I came back with the same answer -0-.!! It was so much relief.

I went back to work the day after I got home from the hospital and haven't been on pain pills since day after surgery.

You'll make the right decision for you.



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gbr

JDD
2 Discograms
4 Level failed IDET
4 Confirmed torn lumbar discs, 2 full thickness
Issues now with c-spine & thoracic
Fusion of L5/S1 scheduled 3/5/03
Fusion successful - feeling better all the time

Thanks for all your responses. As you all know it's very frustrating trying to know if you're making the right move.I had a myelogram on Friday and the test wasn't so bad but I've been nausious and had some headaches since. My MRI confirms herniations and DDD in 2 levels and I'm in pain sometimes worse than others.I'll keep you all posted..
Thanks,Tophatter