Has anyone out there had spinal fusion to their L4/L5 disks? Long story but, briefly,chronic pain for many years, Oct 2002 had MRI scan which confirmed degeneration in disks L4/L5 and S1.Consultant has now estimated I have 2 years before disks totally collapse so I must have this procedure.Have major pain, still, took dihydrocodeine for many years but asked doc to change them 'cos i felt my body had become habituated to them.Now have Transtec patches which are ok but not really good.I walk with a stick 'cos my back 'slips' all the time which is agony.I can't work anymore so am receiving SSP until such time, hopefully, I can return to work.I am 39 years old with 2 kids and have to fight depression every single day on awakening.Upto now, have managed it but for how much longer? I'm always tired as I don't sleep well.My body wakes me up to turn in the night 'cos I can't do it anymore - the pain is too intense. Can anyone understand what I'm going through and do they have any experiences or suggestions to tell me?

Loulou...

Welcome aboard. Click on the Good Fusion Outcomes Wanted thread and it will help you out a lot.

SHG

loulou,
Yep......Had Fusion L-4/L-5! Almost 2 yrs. ago & doing Great! Was on Pain pills-muscle relaxers-anti-inflamatories-Valuim......No More since Fusion!!! No more depression....No more slurred speech from drugs......& NO MORE PAIN!!!!!!!!!!
If your Doc says you need Fusion L-4/L-5......Pay attention!!

Larry

LouLou-
Listen to Shg and Acme. They are fusion success stories. I just found out today I need a two level 360 degree fusion. I wasn't sure I if I was worried more that they wouldn't do any surgery, or if they would! But, I'm looking forward to getting my life back!

Good Luck

O'Girl


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20 years intermittent back pain - no treatment sought
Nov 2001 - herniated disk - Right leg radiculopathy
Jan 2002 - Chiropractic care
Mar 2002 - MRI, X-Rays, Oral steroids
Apr 2002 - L4/L5 Microdiskectomy
Sept 2002 - PT, Oral steroids
Oct 2002 - MRI, Xrays - Failed Back Syndrome
Apr 2003 - TFESI, EMG, MRI
Diagnosis - DDD - foraminal narrowing, disk bulges, osteophytes, ligamentum flavum hypertrophy, active marrow edema, levoscoliosis, retrolisthesis, scar tissue encompassing L5 nerve root, disk height diminished, abnormal EMG results for left leg
Sept 2003 - Discogram with Xrays, CT Scan.
Oct 2003 - 2 level 360 degree fusion to be scheduled

LouLou, welcome to the board.

I guess I'll be having a L4-L5 fusion. I've had some pain for several years, but didn't take it too seriously, dismissed it as arthritis. The sciatic pain became severe in Sept 2001. I had an MRI then, which indicated spinal stenosis. An orthopedic surgeon gave me several ESIs which helped. Finally this year, he sent me for a myelogram, CT, EMG, and nerve conduction tests, and said I need decompression and fusion. I'm waiting for another opinion from another neurosurgeon. I really don't want to do this, but I'm becoming convinced that it's necessary.

I definately understand what you are going through. As SHG said, go to the thread that's called "Good Fusion Outcomes Wanted". There is a lot of good information there, and you will find it encouraging.

Feel free to ask any questions, or just to vent about what you're going through. There are good listeners here. You're not alone.

StillWater

Hi

I had a fusion done at L4-5 about a little over 2 yrs ago. I am nowhere near pain free. I do alot better in the summer months and in pain during the Fall, winter and part of spring. I was just informed about 2 wks ago that my fusion had failed plus the fusion may have stressed the level above and/or below my fusion. So what this means is that in a month, i have to go through a discogram to confirm where the pain is coming from. Then my neurosurgeon will either go back in and redo L4-5 as well as possibly fusing another level. We won't know till after the discogram. He may just fix L4-5.

I see that you are in England. I am in the US. I think that artifical disc replacement may be offered in your area. I know Germany offers it. You might want to look into that option vs doing a fusion.

research all of your options. Be aware that if you have a fusion at L4-5 plus L5-S1. The levels above your fusion can stress causing more problems. Then they may have to fuse levels more up your spine. I had my fusion 2 yrs ago and now there is concern that L5-S1 is damaged becauze the stress of the fusion at L4-5.

Jennifer

Well, thanks to all of you for spending some time to make me feel supported and less fraught with anxiety. There is one thing I would like to know still and that's, can anyone tell me how long the procedure takes and how long should i expect to be hospitalised? I guess everyone's different, but i'd really like to have some idea so i can organise my child-care etcetera!

loulou1963,
Surgery for me was 10 hrs. Walking within hours of the surgery (just a little)In the hospital 4 days. Pacing the living room floor & going for walks within 2 weeks...To work part time in a month...out of the back brace in 1-1/2 months...Full time work in 2 months(work in an office) It takes approx. a yr. to totally Fuse...so I left the lifting.....and pushing....to others.
Now....Lawn mowing....Snow blowing....Playing catch with my kid...Playing Frisby...Driving long distances....& I'm 55 yrs. old......
Hope this helps!

Acme sure is an inspiration! I'm 39 and feel 89 at the moment, so it's great news his op's worked out fine. Hope I'm gonna be the same! Lou

loulou1963...Best of luck to you! Life is Wonderful....Hope you have the same sucess as I have had!

Hello :Loulou,

Welcome to the Healthboards. I had a two level fusion with infuse. I am only 3 months post op and still have pain but the back pain is finally starting to ease. I am still suffering with muscle and nerve pain but that could take several months to heal if not permanent. My surgery was only about 3 1/2 hours. Mine was much shorter because I had infuse. I have 2 rods and six screws. It is still to soon to say if my fusion will be a success. My neuro told me that it takes about 3 months till 1 year to fuse and some patients even longer.

Have a great day.

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Cervical MRI 10/02
Loss of cervical lordosis with reversal of the curvature.
C4-5 and C6-7 disc bulges resulting in flattening of the ventral margin of the cord.
C5-6 there is a left foraminal herniation which results in moderate foraminal stenosis In addition, there is flattening of the ventral margin of the cord due to bulging disc.
Cervical Epidural 5/19/03

Lumbar MRI 10/02
Lumbar Lordosis
L5-S1 disc herniation with moderate thecal sac deformity.
L4-5 disc desiccation with bulge which results in mild thecal sac deformity and mild bilateral foraminal stenosis.
L2-3 disc desiccation with Schmorl’s nodule of L3.
Lumbar Epidural 1/30/03
Lumbar Epidural 2/12/03
Lumbar Epidural 2/26/03
Lumbar Discogram 5/23/03
Lumbar CatScan 5/23/03
Posterior Fusion & Infuse on L4,L5,S1 6/30/03
Lumbar X-Ray 7/24/03
Lumbar X-Ray 8/27/03
Still no pain relief....

Hello http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wave.gif Jennifer,

I am sorry to hear that your fusion has failed. I have to ask you if the doctor's had ever seen signs of fusing in you prior testing. I don't mean to pry, I am just curious. I am only 3 months post op and I know have pain in both my legs and feet and also buttock. I had sciatica in right leg prior to surgery and now have pain in both legs.

Your situation is my worst fear. It was made abundantly clear to me that their would be a chance of having more problems down the road as their would be more stress on above and below discs of the fusion. I am very sorry that you had to go through this. I am wishing you the best of luck on your next discogram.

Take Care.

yep!so far so good hang in there baby!

LOULOU, I had fusion of L-3-4 in Dec-02 and no fusion yet, It was done anteriorly due to osteomyelitis infection I contracted from Discogram in 6-02, only bone chip put in, now they want to do posterior and put in hardware but won't address original problems causing me pain fr om L-4-5 and L-5-S-1. I saw neurologist today who said my back looks better than I do and treated me like a drug seeker like so many have. I am really fed up. Contacted another attorney about infection today , we"ll see where that goes. my di9agnosis is that I need 3 level discectomy and fusion to relieve this horrible pain that has taken my life away. Good luck and God bless

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Rick

Hello http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wave.gif Rick,

I had posted a reply to you on another thread about your condition, I just can't seen to find right now. I just wanted to say that I think that it is a very wise decision in contacting another lawyer. Also have you seen other neurologists?

Everytime I see one of your posts, I really feel for you. God I pray they find a med to help your infection. I am sorry that I keep addressing the osteomlelits instead of your other back problems, its just that it sounds so severe to me.

Good Night.

Have looked at all the replies, and really appreciate them. Since found out that Friday, this week, I have to have a 'spiker-jacket' (hip-casing) fitted by the Plaster Tech at the city hospital.This will 'solidify' my spine so I will not be able to bend for 2 weeks, only stand up or lie down.Apparently this takes away the pain I experience from my spine and it's a TEST the surgeon uses to show him what would happen should I have the spinal fusion. If i experience no pain at all, then he will go ahead with the op, if there is any pain at all, then off with the plaster-cast and back to the drawing board for other ideas. Has anyone else gone through this?

Hello....Anybody out there! Friday is getting ever nearer and I haven't yet had anyone answer my question and now I'm starting to panic a little! If you can help, I will be so grateful, even if you can point me to a site that may explain this procedure to me. Lesley.

loulou, I'm sorry I don't have an answer for you. Why dont' you post your question in a new subject indicating the nature of your question? Maybe it's getting lost down here.

StillWAter

Thanks Stillwater! It's a good job someone's using their brain this week!! Lesley

Hi Loulou

I had a discetomy last December L4/L5 and S1 and the recovery was very slow (6 months). April and May were my best months and have now been going downhill fast. My nights are dreadful as well, due to when I turn I wake myself up because of the pain. The pain when I wake up properly in the morning is horrendous and I find it really difficult to move. Once I get my back moving its not to bad, I just feel a pressure in my lower back. Am currently taking Voltarol, Co-codamol and diazapam prescribed by my doctor, but now these are no longer working. I had a provocative discography to show which discs now are giving me the problem and I have now been told that I will have to have total fusion, which I am told the recovery is very slow but depends on your body's healing powers. I too feel for you as each day your fighting not to let it get you down. I am also 43 feeling older by the day and I have two young children. Chin up and lets hope we will be pain free soon!