How long should fusion take ? - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

thecraw · 12-07-2004, 11:06 PM

This is one of those 'How long is a piece of string questions'. Today I had my post op follow up, almost 5 weeks and fusion hadnt started. Everything was sitting ok and he didnt seem concerned. I have found a few posts on the boards were fusion seemed to take a while.

Interested in peoples experience with fusion and how long ?

All the failed fusion threads seem to be where the bone has slipped etc, not just it hasnt fuesed.

Thanks

flyonthewall · 12-08-2004, 04:48 AM

I was fused with BMP and my surgeon could see it starting at 6 weeks.
fly

solardust · 12-08-2004, 05:55 AM

Hi, I was about 9 weeks into it before my NS started seeing the beginning stages of fusion takeing place,I am now almost 4 months in, and its going along nicely,Doc says another 3 to 6 months before its complete.

Thats why he said no neck exercises,continue to baby it.Diana

rob_zzz · 12-08-2004, 05:15 PM

I spoke to a neurosurgeon today that said he'd expect to see start seeing fusion occurring between 8 and 10 weeks.

He also said that with the use of plating, even if there's movement of the graft the plate keeps it in place and it will still eventually fuse, but the neck alignment (lordosis) won't be as good. He also said that if he didn't use plating he'd be leaving people in a collar for 10 weeks, but with the plate he feels comfortable taking them off after 6 weeks even though fusion hasn't started.

I also read a report about an artificial disc showing up as being fused at 17 months after an operation when it hadn't at 12 months. Obviously fusion around an artificial disc is not a desired result, but it does show that fusion can happen over a long period.

thecraw · 12-08-2004, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rob_zzz

He also said that with the use of plating, even if there's movement of the graft the plate keeps it in place and it will still eventually fuse, but the neck alignment (lordosis) won't be as good. He also said that if he didn't use plating he'd be leaving people in a collar for 10 weeks, but with the plate he feels comfortable taking them off after 6 weeks even though fusion hasn't started.

Thanks for that info Rob.

This is the bit that is confusing me. I have no hardware.(Which I like !

Thererfore I would think it would be risky for me to remove the collar until some fusion has been shown to take place. My next appt isnt until Feb...

I have been told I can take it off for an hour now and then to start letting my neck muscle work. Then after that (the 6week period) using a common sense approach, using the collar as required. But in essence I would be out of the collar.

I have a concern that with the collar off + no hardware + feeling good (ie possibility of over doing it) + no fusion apparent at 5 weeks = greater chance of non fusion. This just seems common sense to me...??

My mindest is to start removing the collar on and off but for 75% of the day, wearing it. It may be for a couple of months and over Christmas but a couple of months discomfort now could mean a succesful outcome.

PS: Have seen some reference to using Calcium suppl to assist. Anyone heard of this or do you think its a bit of a croc...?