Spinal Fusion and Cage ?

[Sasqy]

Has anyone here, had this procedure done ?
Or was told you need this, but found other alternatives?
Sciatica and back, have gotten so bad, going to have to do something, can’t ignore, or live like this anymore. Obviously this is a huge decision, would love to hear others experiences.
Thanks in advance,
Your friend “D”

[Greenheadless]

I would go for a 2nd, 3rd, and possibly 4th opinion if it were me.

[boy wonder]

My uncle was having terrible sciatica pain and surgery was strongly recommended. We were very hesitant (80s), so he tried chiropractor, after about 8 sessions he was feeling better and hasn’t had any sciatic pain since (94 now). Not a recommendation, just sharing.

[dosrobles]

I had a spinal fusion 20 years ago. They went through the front and cages between the discs and the bone grew through. I did PT for months and had no relief. Mine was a ruptured disc with no sciatica at all. Shoot me a pm if you have any questions.

i can tell you:

1. In the hospital for 3 days
2. Went back to work the following week, but really slowly
3. Very restricted lifting and activity for 2 months
4. Took about 8 months to get back to 100% but I was not in pain or anything during most of that time
5. Back has been 85-90% since

[Txhunter3000]

I would go for a 2nd, 3rd, and possibly 4th opinion if it were me.

I think that’s why he asked for real world experience!!!!

[Drycreek3189]

My opinion only from hearing others’ results. It’s hit and miss anytime back surgery is involved. I would get those other opinions, then I would see a good chiro before I did it. I understand the pain, my knee hurts every **** day, some bad, some a little. I believe in chiros, they have helped me often. (They can’t help the knee)

[canny]

September 2019 I had my L2-L4 fused with a cage following a vehicle accident. Due to that and other injuries I was hospitalized for just over 6 weeks including inpatient rehab. I would say my back is 85-95% of what it was, depending on the day/activity. I do not have any “pain” in my back but deal with regular stiffness due to it being fused so low on my spine.

[jmeghunts]

I had L4-S1 fused September 26th. They went in the front and replaced the two missing disc, closed me up then went in the back and set the pedicle screws and rods then closed me up again. Before the surgery I was in terrible pain from my hip to my ankle. I was taking 5-8 Advil a day plus Aleve and Tylenol and getting very little relief. I was tripping going up stairs because I dragged my right foot so bad. My doctor told me that I was "bone on bone" between L5-S1 and would be soon on the one above it. The nerve was trapped and the vertebra were going to fuse on their own if I didn't get it fixed.

I was in the hospital 2 nights and off work at home for about 6 weeks. The first two weeks suck bad so make sure you take the pain meds. Walk as often as possible, and use the brace that they give you. I did PT for about 30 days to improve core strength and flexibility. I'm scheduled to go back full duty at work Feb 17th and I feel great. This was the best decision I ever made. Yes, there are plenty of failed back surgery stories out there. Fusion has come a very long way so just find a great surgeon and commit to it. Here is a link to my doctor's website and the procedure that I had done with animation. Pretty cool stuff and he's a great doctor.

Edit: I am in no way "pain free". I still get shooting pains in my feet and I still have some numbness in areas so I am not 100%. I am however 100% better than I was before the surgery. It can take a long time for the nerves to calm down after the problem is fixed so I have to be patient.

https://www.c3spine.com/anterior-posterior-lumbar-fusion-360/

[Texas Grown]

My spine is fusing it's self. But my sciatic was damaged when I broke my posterior acetabular off on my pelvis, and shoved my femur up by my spine back in 1997. Surgery required detaching my glutes to put everything back in place with a plate and 6 screws. Although I got my fitness back ASAP at the time, my nerve never fully regained feeling down to my knee. And now with Ankylosing Spondylitis of the spine, the nerve passage ways in my spine are shrinking, according to my most recent MRI back in Oct. I've been going to Physical therapy since Nov due to getting "Drop-foot" back in Sept on the same leg. I've gotten back most of the foot control. But just had a re-evaluation today. Still got a ways to go. Also have several of those L-Vertebra that are herniated due to someone pulling out in front of me 2 years ago. Gotta go with what I've been given in life. Praise be to God I'm no worse than I am, at the moment.

I hope you find relief. Back pain is no fun. One thing I did find helpful with the pain in both the Lumbar (L4 and lower solidifying) and Thoracic regions (T-6 through T9 solidifying) was RFA (Radio frequency ablation). I've had two treatments in the past. It helped me get off a lot of meds at the time. It was like getting a new back after a few days. Staying motive (moving) is one of the ways to combat my disease. If you think you'd like more info on RFA, PM me. The anesthesiologist is in our area. Or look up Global Spinal Institute in Arlington.

[Mudslinger]

I have a bad lower back and was told by the surgeon, we can fuse the lower part, but the we will have to go back in and fuse above those we just fused snd again and again.
i decided no and lost weight and did dome exercise that helped. Now I have a bad hip!

[McClain]

Just had spinal fusion thru the front with gage (called ALIF procedure) a little over a month ago. Dealt with back pain and sciatica for years until I just couldn’t take it anymore. Still a little sore and haven’t yet pushed it, but all signs indicate surgery was effective in eliminating that raw nerve pain. Still have to build up muscle tone, but now wish I would have had this surgery years ago.

[Greenheadless]

I think that’s why he asked for real world experience!!!!

I have real world experience. Shattered my L3 vertebrae years ago. Invasive surgery is a last option IMHO. I get it, there are times I seriously consider it. I buy Aleve in bulk from Sam’s.

[bklem]

I’ve had both. Fusion in ‘93 and it was a life changer. Spinal stenosis surgery 3 1/2 yrs ago and great for 2 1/2 years but has returned with a vengeance. Both recoveries were not fun. Looking into stem cell in Costa Rica for final option now for renewed stenosis issues. Pretty sure all back surgeries are a little store everyone. I’ve had 10+ surgeries and both back surgeries were bad. Knee replacement was the only other to compare them to.

[stinkbelly]

I had fusion and the cage about 6-7 years ago. The first Dr said to fuse 4 vertebrae. I got a second opinion. We fused 2. The others will need to be done at some time. 2 is fine, 4 is life changing for the worse.

[Sasqy]

Thanks everyone, keep them coming !
Just for the record, I’ve had 4 opinions, 3 all say fusion.
One says possible traction/decompression, but outs a Hail Mary try. I’ve always heard fusion was no good, but some will say it’s the best thing they’ve done.
Exercise and Chiro don’t help much, if there is no disc, left in this location.