ALIf Vs PLIF Do you still get nerve pain with Anterior approach too?
just was wondering if the anterior method is better than having the posterior?which be more painful?I know posterior has its nerve issues,and anterior the cramps and barfing.not counting how your bowels will ever be same once squashed.any impute?or experiences by those who had the procedure
Re: ALIf Vs PLIF Do you still get nerve pain with Anterior approach too?
I had a 360, that is, two incisions, both front and back. I did not have any cramping, and I never had any bowel problems except for the constipation that we all get with pain meds. The nausea I had was due to the meds, not the incision, as evidenced by how quickly it cleared up when they switched my meds.
I think there are pros and cons both ways. I found the front incision to be harder to recover from and more painful, but others here have said the back incision was much worse for them. The benefit of the 360 is that it has proven to have a greater success rate, but of course, two incisions are harder to recover from than just one.
Re: ALIf Vs PLIF Do you still get nerve pain with Anterior approach too?
Darn no getting away from that nerve pain,couldn't stand it when I had the sciatic,OMG couldn't sit on toilet.that was just one leg.What the heck do you do about coughing and sneezing<iremember that pain too.
Re: ALIf Vs PLIF Do you still get nerve pain with Anterior approach too?
Also look into a TLIF - that's what I had. T is for transforaminal. It goes through the back and then into the canal from the side. A little easier on the nerve. I had lots of scar tissue that the surgeron had to clean up, and he did a very good job. I still have some numbness but considering how bad I was I'll take it.
Re: ALIf Vs PLIF Do you still get nerve pain with Anterior approach too?
There is risk elements regarding nerve issues regarless of the approach. Spine surgery is spine surgery with exposure to the nerves. Its all right there. Your central nervous system is basically housed in/through the spinal column.
My fusion was posterior and I actually have nerve damage as a direct result of the surgery. The doctor has no idea why this occurred. His only conclusion is that my body is incredibly sensitive and he worked on my back from that side. Other than that.. I didnt have nerve impingement and he he said he didnt think he even touched my nerve during the surgery. So, it's luck of draw of how your body is and reacts to the surgery.
You may have no issues with your nerves post op, regardless of the way they approach it.
Hope this helps some.
__________________
"believe in the beauty of your dreams"- E. Roosevelt
L5/S1 bulging @ 18, now 46; still there (but no pain)
Fusion at L4/L5 Apr -2006
Solidly Fused Nov-2006
A Success, but still improving!
Re: ALIf Vs PLIF Do you still get nerve pain with Anterior approach too?
Quote:
Originally Posted by apocalypto22
just was wondering if the anterior method is better than having the posterior?which be more painful?I know posterior has its nerve issues,and anterior the cramps and barfing.not counting how your bowels will ever be same once squashed.any impute?or experiences by those who had the procedure
Hello,
I had ALIF(anterior) and did not have any cramping or bowel problems. Actually I had very little pain from the tummy incision, I was quite surprised by that, all my pain was from the back. This surpised me because the incision in my stomach was alot bigger than the back, the two in the back were very small.
I am not sure about stats on nerve pain between the two surgeries. By I did and still do have nerve pain in both legs with some numbness.
I guess the surgeon suggests which procedure best will fit your situation.
Lori
__________________
L.
DDD, Spinal Stenosis, Fibromyalgia,
ALIF surgery on December 10, 2007, numerous Injections, SCS December 2010.
Re: ALIf Vs PLIF Do you still get nerve pain with Anterior approach too?
its pain in the butt again,so when you first roll out of the anesthesia you in pain then or it takes a few more hours to set in?I hate waking up in pain,at least not yet
