How Easy Is It to Mess Up Spinal Fusion?

[Jan P]

I am now two days shy of 2 weeks since having my surgery. I am just so scared that I will/have messed up fusion.

I have twisted a few times - trying to scoot to edge of bed to stand up, and even while standing and turning to look at the TV. I also think I am sitting too long 30 to 60 minutes at a time and standing at the kitchen counter (computer is here for now) for too long.

I am otherwise feeling better and stronger each day. Have been able to cut back a bit on Vicodin. Still have that crushing leg pain after being in bed for several hours during the night.

I previously got great support prior to surgery from Justin, Kathy, Allison, Cindylou about my fear of messing up - but would greatly appreciate some reassurance.

Thanks alot
Jan

[ajj1001]

You need to give the potential fusion site the best possible conditions for it to take place. My surgeon told me it would be quite hard to actually move the rods out of place but the more movement or load bearing the area took then the longer the fusion might take. Its a long process so I was super careful to try to get it to work. I only got signs of fusion on one side as it was, I took extreme care to do no bending, lifting or twisting for 3 months.

I would move position every 20 minutes whatever I was doing (even shifting frequently when attempting to sleep). Learning how to "pootle" about without actually doing anything is a good skill. I'm sorry but its still really early days, some people show signs of fusion at six weeks whilst others it can be six months.

[Jan P]

Thanks Allison for the support and thoughts of keeping a watchful eye on how to move, when to move, etc.

I have been trying to do the best I can and my husband has been just the best medicine I could have with his support. Today we took a walk around the outside of our house (all the way around has pavers) and a bee came between us. My husband who is deathly allergic hit at it with his baseball cap. It startled me and I kind of moved backwards quickly while only holding on to the walker with one hand. Needless to say, this freaked me out that I may have done some harm to my fusion. I just melted down and I am sure overreacted thinking I did some damage.

I guess just having to live with such caution for this lengthly period of time is a bit scarey. My husband tries to reassure me that if it was that easy to mess up the fusion they would put you in a body cast! That's probably a bit over board. I do have the large back brace/corset which I wear except to sleep or shower. I know how important it is to focus on the end result of hopefully having a successful surgery and elimination of pain.

Thanks for listening.
Jan

[Justin]

Thanks Allison for the support and thoughts of keeping a watchful eye on how to move, when to move, etc.

I have been trying to do the best I can and my husband has been just the best medicine I could have with his support. Today we took a walk around the outside of our house (all the way around has pavers) and a bee came between us. My husband who is deathly allergic hit at it with his baseball cap. It startled me and I kind of moved backwards quickly while only holding on to the walker with one hand. Needless to say, this freaked me out that I may have done some harm to my fusion. I just melted down and I am sure overreacted thinking I did some damage.

Short of a high-speed accident in an automobile, I would be confident that you are not "damaging" your fusion. It would take an incredible amount of force to do so. Yes, you are still in the "early days" of recovery and being concerned is a good thing to a certain degree--just try not to let it drive you nuts and try to "step back" in situations like these to really analyze your actions (moved backward quickly) & see the big picture.

I do have the large back brace/corset which I wear except to sleep or shower.

Jan, were you instructed to wear your brace all day by your surgeon? I ask because wearing a brace all day is not a good thing--your muscles will begin to become de-conditioned & possibly atrophy (decrease in size) because they are not being utilized as they would without the brace. Even though the brace seems like it's a protective device, it will actually put you two steps behind in terms of recovery. I would only were your brace in car rides and other potentially dangerous situations (walking through the mall with kids running everywhere, etc.).

Just my two cents.

[Jan P]

Thanks Justin for the very reassuring words. I will take these to heart!

Regarding brace - yes I was told to wear as I indicated. I was going to see the surgeon for first check up this coming Thursday. However due to the 2 hour drive each way and the fact that I do not stitches that need to be removed they changed appointment until January 3rd. Doc will be out of town last 2 weeks of this month.

I suppose it might behove me to call his office and see what they say to do in the meantime.

I do need to go to my Prim. Care Doc this Thursday to try to determine why I was so dehyradated and anemic immediately after my surgery - two units of blood needed.

Thank you again for words of incouragement.
Jan

[Justin]

I suppose it might behove me to call his office and see what they say to do in the meantime.

By all means, follow your surgeon's advice. I was just passing along what I personally did in the past and what is recommended to most Spine Patients.

I do need to go to my Prim. Care Doc this Thursday to try to determine why I was so dehyradated and anemic immediately after my surgery - two units of blood needed.

The anemia could be due to many reasons. However, if you were anemic immediately post-op, this lends itself to blood loss during the surgery.

Thank you again for words of incouragement.
Jan

Sure thing!

[KBear]

Jan- I think we all think at one point or another that we have surely messed up our surgery and will need another one. I did repeatedly. At one point my friend almost ejected me from a wheelchair trying to go over a bump fast (and it wasn't the kind with the big wheels, it had small ones for pushing). In her defense, it was part my idea to hit it fast, but instead of it going over, it jolted me forward and hurt bad. I was in tears from the pain and was only 5 days post op when it happened. I just knew that I had ruined my surgery. Luckily, as Justin said, it would take something major to ruin it..... but I would still be careful, to give yourself the best chance at healing.

[Cindylou]

Jan, I hope you are settling in a bit more to a routine with your spine, without causing yourself to go into panic mode. It's all so new for you, and of course you want to make good as a patient, or you wouldn't have subjected yourself to such a grueling surgery in the first place, right? I'm glad you are feeling more assured about the current state of your back. Definitely call your surgeon's office for further clarification about your back brace, since you won't see him until early January. You do want to follow his instruction to the letter of the law. I don't believe I wore a brace 24/7 for my fusion either. I did wear a "bone growth stimulator"to promote healing and took extra Calcium and D, but definitely follow your surgeon's advice. You'll do just fine. Glad your hubby is being so supportive too. Cindylou

[Jan P]

Kathy - Wow sound like you could have had a problem with your fusion - good to hear that wasn't the case. I know I need to calm down and just be smart about how, when, how often I move, etc. Oh, by the way you look adorable in front of the Christmas Tree - Happy Holidays to you and your growing family!


Cindylou- Thanks, I am really trying to calm down, the responses I have receieved since yesterday have helped tremendously. Yesterday, was a bad day I guess, primarily about the bee thing - it kind of freaked me out. I am trying to time my up, downs, walking time to give me a good balance. I am taking Citracal + D per doc. I stopped taking my Boniva once a month in August due to stomach problems. Surgeon was glad as he said, that as well as Fosamax can inhibit the healing of bones. He did indicate to my husband after the surgery that my bones were alittle soft, but felt that things should hold well. This may be why he wants the extra strength of the back brace for now. Again thank you and Happy Holidays.