purpletrail
01-30-2008, 10:02 AM
I finally had my consult with my neuro yesterday and he is suggesting a 4 level posterior fusion with a foraminotomy at those levels. He indicated that it is not an emergency situation, so I should think long and hard about it. He plans to use the screw and rod fixation with hopes of giving me back my spinal curvature.
When I asked about getting back to normal, he said that he would be honest with me. He feels that I will not feel "better" for 3-6 months and will in fact be worse. I recovered pretty quickly from my two level ACDF, so this is really scarey. I have read that the pain from surgery through the back is incredible. My surgeon said that it is tough to predict who will have muscle spasms that delay their recovery.
The situation feels like an emergency to me!! The pain, numbness and spasms have continued to get worse over the past 5 months, to the point were I can no longer work full-time. I have a lot of trouble driving and sitting. If I push it, I get a huge migraine. My disability insurer has yet to pay a dime, so I don't know if I can count on that income.
It looks like my choices are to totally modify my life to not working fulltime and taking alot of medication or go with the risk of a huge surgery. I know that some of you have had posterior fusion. What was your recovery like? How long before you could get back to work, be physically active...?
Please, please, please give me some insight!!!
Holly
When I asked about getting back to normal, he said that he would be honest with me. He feels that I will not feel "better" for 3-6 months and will in fact be worse. I recovered pretty quickly from my two level ACDF, so this is really scarey. I have read that the pain from surgery through the back is incredible. My surgeon said that it is tough to predict who will have muscle spasms that delay their recovery.
The situation feels like an emergency to me!! The pain, numbness and spasms have continued to get worse over the past 5 months, to the point were I can no longer work full-time. I have a lot of trouble driving and sitting. If I push it, I get a huge migraine. My disability insurer has yet to pay a dime, so I don't know if I can count on that income.
It looks like my choices are to totally modify my life to not working fulltime and taking alot of medication or go with the risk of a huge surgery. I know that some of you have had posterior fusion. What was your recovery like? How long before you could get back to work, be physically active...?
Please, please, please give me some insight!!!
Holly
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Backinthesaddle
01-30-2008, 10:47 AM
I had a posterior laminectomy but it is the posterior surgery in general that is the same. I will tell you it is painful. I was only out of work for 6 weeks but the first 2 were bad. I mean bad. When they go posteriorly they have to move all the muscles over to get to the spine and they take awhile to stop smasming. I did recover just fine after that. I only had one level done and my right arm was in so much pain and weak and I was unable to raise it and right after the surgery my arm was back to normal. Good luck..do expect pain and you will need help for a few weeks and take it easy.
julieleaps
01-30-2008, 09:50 PM
Holly - I feel for your situation, and how difficult the decision is that lays ahead of you. My biggest fear with my DDD is that I will eventually need another surgery.
I am curious, though, about where in Wisconsin you are seeking treatment. I live in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and I was referred to a neurosurgeon in Green Bay for my 2 level ACDF last January.
Do take care,
Julie
I am curious, though, about where in Wisconsin you are seeking treatment. I live in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and I was referred to a neurosurgeon in Green Bay for my 2 level ACDF last January.
Do take care,
Julie
purpletrail
01-31-2008, 09:19 AM
Julie,
I live in Whitewater. My first ACDF was in Madison, at UW. I went that direction because of the artificial disc studies. I was not a candidate due to DDD, but the surgeon doing the studies performed my surgery. I wanted to go with 3 levels, but he persisted with only doing the two. He thought that I may eventually get an artificial disc at the other levels, which was a pretty optimistic thought.
I am now at Froedtert in Miilwaukee. I have always seen a physiatrist there, who I really like. He referred me to their top Neurosurgeon who works with difficult neck surgeries and is willing to do revisions.
Holly
I live in Whitewater. My first ACDF was in Madison, at UW. I went that direction because of the artificial disc studies. I was not a candidate due to DDD, but the surgeon doing the studies performed my surgery. I wanted to go with 3 levels, but he persisted with only doing the two. He thought that I may eventually get an artificial disc at the other levels, which was a pretty optimistic thought.
I am now at Froedtert in Miilwaukee. I have always seen a physiatrist there, who I really like. He referred me to their top Neurosurgeon who works with difficult neck surgeries and is willing to do revisions.
Holly
purpletrail
01-31-2008, 09:30 AM
So how much worse or better is a laminectomy vs a posterior fusion with instrumentation and forminotomy?
My surgeon said it is difficult to predict who will have the big muscle spasm problems, though everyone will have it to some degree. He usually sees better results with someone who is small, like myself.
On another note, I finally, after 5 & 1/2 months, received approval of my disability from my DI carrier. They agreed to at least pay the partial benefit and will look at the total, based on recent Dr statements. YEAH!!
At least this gives me some breather room while I make my decision.
Holly
My surgeon said it is difficult to predict who will have the big muscle spasm problems, though everyone will have it to some degree. He usually sees better results with someone who is small, like myself.
On another note, I finally, after 5 & 1/2 months, received approval of my disability from my DI carrier. They agreed to at least pay the partial benefit and will look at the total, based on recent Dr statements. YEAH!!
At least this gives me some breather room while I make my decision.
Holly
Julie1119
01-31-2008, 09:43 PM
Hi Holly,
My husband had the surgery Dec '07, at Froederdt, to bring back the spinal curvature and remove the spinal infringement/spurs/etc. His surgery was deemed 'emergency' - the major problem was complete numbness and eventual loss of right-side motor function from the armpit down. The symptoms began in March, for no apparent reason, and escalated quickly; in May he was an active blackbelt in taekwondo - by July he couldn't participate and had difficulty walking and developed a strange gait. He did not need or take any pain medication during this time.
Surgery was on a Tuesday - it was about four hours. He was released the next morning by 10:00 and slept, restlessly, most of the next 3 weeks...
Post surgery: The back pain and spasm were managable with the HEAVY meds; but honestly, it was pretty ugly the first 3.5 weeks. After that he started to cut back on the meds and started going to work 3-4 hours/day (a desk job). This really helped, but he did need to lie down for 5-10 minutes each hour. If you are prescribed a hard collar, you cannot drive until you're post-op appointment with the NS. Starting the 5th week, he quit all the medications and began to work a little more each day. The eliptical is more comfortable than the treadmill for getting exercise, and that's about all he can do; he started slowly with this the 5th week and did little before that.
Today was the post-op visit. Doctor stated things look at they should and he can move on with any activity he is comfortable doing // with a 20 pound weight limitation. The hard collar isn't 'necessary' any more but to slowly reduce the wearing time. Also, he has to start physical therapy. His neck feels weak and he has episodes of numbness which the NS stated would subside over time and aid of PT.
Every day he feels better and better. Since this wasn't an optional surgery - he can't say if it was worth it, but simply provide insight of what a recovery 'might' be like; obviously not everyone is the same - maybe this is a happier story, but time is still needed to tell that.
Holly, we hope you found an excellent NS to guide and treat you -- This is definitely not a surgery to rush into; investigate ALL your options, and really listen to your body -- watch carefully for any changes.
From the sounds of it, you have a really difficult decsion, and we hope the best for you!
My husband had the surgery Dec '07, at Froederdt, to bring back the spinal curvature and remove the spinal infringement/spurs/etc. His surgery was deemed 'emergency' - the major problem was complete numbness and eventual loss of right-side motor function from the armpit down. The symptoms began in March, for no apparent reason, and escalated quickly; in May he was an active blackbelt in taekwondo - by July he couldn't participate and had difficulty walking and developed a strange gait. He did not need or take any pain medication during this time.
Surgery was on a Tuesday - it was about four hours. He was released the next morning by 10:00 and slept, restlessly, most of the next 3 weeks...
Post surgery: The back pain and spasm were managable with the HEAVY meds; but honestly, it was pretty ugly the first 3.5 weeks. After that he started to cut back on the meds and started going to work 3-4 hours/day (a desk job). This really helped, but he did need to lie down for 5-10 minutes each hour. If you are prescribed a hard collar, you cannot drive until you're post-op appointment with the NS. Starting the 5th week, he quit all the medications and began to work a little more each day. The eliptical is more comfortable than the treadmill for getting exercise, and that's about all he can do; he started slowly with this the 5th week and did little before that.
Today was the post-op visit. Doctor stated things look at they should and he can move on with any activity he is comfortable doing // with a 20 pound weight limitation. The hard collar isn't 'necessary' any more but to slowly reduce the wearing time. Also, he has to start physical therapy. His neck feels weak and he has episodes of numbness which the NS stated would subside over time and aid of PT.
Every day he feels better and better. Since this wasn't an optional surgery - he can't say if it was worth it, but simply provide insight of what a recovery 'might' be like; obviously not everyone is the same - maybe this is a happier story, but time is still needed to tell that.
Holly, we hope you found an excellent NS to guide and treat you -- This is definitely not a surgery to rush into; investigate ALL your options, and really listen to your body -- watch carefully for any changes.
From the sounds of it, you have a really difficult decsion, and we hope the best for you!
purpletrail
02-01-2008, 11:50 AM
Julie,
Thank you so much for your thoughtful post. This is exactly what I was looking for. The surgery was even done at the same hospital. What a coincidence.
I can't imagine that your husband had that level of spinal cord and nerve involvement without experiencing a lot of pain. I sure hope that he makes a full recovery. Elimination of the numbness is a really good sign.
I have researched this whole procedure, like you, and can see that the outcomes are usually positive. The largest study quoted a 72% improvement in symptoms. The tough part is the recovery phase. I know my family is already panicing that mom could go through another surgery. It is tough on everyone.
However, I do want my life back so badly. After my 2 level ACDF I modified my workouts to running every other day for about an hour (I used to run competitively, though I am in my forties). My work schedule varied from 30-40 hours per week. We like to vacation in national parks with trail systems and a lot of activities. There is no way in my current condition I can do any of these things. I am even relying on my husband to drive me around to business appointments I "have to" attend. That can't go on forever.
The fact that your husband is back to work part-time and even training on an eliptical trainer does give me some hope. My surgeon did tell me about one woman he operated on with the same procedure who has returned to triathalons and teaching a spinning class. Be sure to tell your husband about that one. That is just amazing. I would love to talk with this person. Of course this is one person's story, but each positive outcome does give you hope.
While I am in this "yes' or "no" to surgery phase, I decided to keep a list of questions I want to ask my surgeon. I am also trying a few things to test my neck; like going without my medications for part of a day and seeing just how bad it really is. Trying to resume some of my normal schedule and see how long I can do it. Trying some of those P.T. exercises and seeing if they still make my neck worse. Testing my neck, again, will probably give me the answer.
Thanks to everyone for your input. It is better than all of my pubmed, medline, medscape... research. It is not just surgical outcomes, it is what real people experienced.
Holly
Thank you so much for your thoughtful post. This is exactly what I was looking for. The surgery was even done at the same hospital. What a coincidence.
I can't imagine that your husband had that level of spinal cord and nerve involvement without experiencing a lot of pain. I sure hope that he makes a full recovery. Elimination of the numbness is a really good sign.
I have researched this whole procedure, like you, and can see that the outcomes are usually positive. The largest study quoted a 72% improvement in symptoms. The tough part is the recovery phase. I know my family is already panicing that mom could go through another surgery. It is tough on everyone.
However, I do want my life back so badly. After my 2 level ACDF I modified my workouts to running every other day for about an hour (I used to run competitively, though I am in my forties). My work schedule varied from 30-40 hours per week. We like to vacation in national parks with trail systems and a lot of activities. There is no way in my current condition I can do any of these things. I am even relying on my husband to drive me around to business appointments I "have to" attend. That can't go on forever.
The fact that your husband is back to work part-time and even training on an eliptical trainer does give me some hope. My surgeon did tell me about one woman he operated on with the same procedure who has returned to triathalons and teaching a spinning class. Be sure to tell your husband about that one. That is just amazing. I would love to talk with this person. Of course this is one person's story, but each positive outcome does give you hope.
While I am in this "yes' or "no" to surgery phase, I decided to keep a list of questions I want to ask my surgeon. I am also trying a few things to test my neck; like going without my medications for part of a day and seeing just how bad it really is. Trying to resume some of my normal schedule and see how long I can do it. Trying some of those P.T. exercises and seeing if they still make my neck worse. Testing my neck, again, will probably give me the answer.
Thanks to everyone for your input. It is better than all of my pubmed, medline, medscape... research. It is not just surgical outcomes, it is what real people experienced.
Holly