Compression Fusion - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

bride527 · 09-04-2006, 07:03 AM

My husband had anterior and posterier compression fusion surgery in June. It was a 9 hour operation but everything turned out okay. The dr. told him before he could do surgery on his lower back he needed to do the neck operaton first because he had so much arthritis on his upper spine. He is having lower back surgery in 3 weeks. He has scoliosis (sp?) stenosis, herniated disc, and bulging . He needs alot of work done. Has anynoe had this surgery ? and how long is the recuperation. He just wants it over with. He is in alot of pain now....thanks to all .. bride527

SpineAZ · 09-05-2006, 09:31 PM

I had a C5-7 ACDF with hardware on 5/18/06 and was in a cervical collar for 6 weeks after the surgery. Back in 1993 I had an L4-S1 fusion with hardware and wore a brace for about 12 weeks. The back surgery was, in my opinion, more painful than the neck surgery. For the back they went in via my lower back going through muscle, etc. For my neck they went in anteriorly (though the front of the neck) so you avoid the muscle related surgical pain. However, not all cervical fusions can be done anterior, some are done posterior so it all depends on how the procedure is done. In any case I recommend taking all medications they offer to ward off pain, spasms, etc. It worked well for me and as I healed I was able to gradually reduce my medication intake.

Karin
ACDF C5-7 5/2006