New member from Georgia (Researching Spinal Fusion)

**Bnathanb1982** · 08-09-2010, 09:15 PM

I am a new member here and really appreciate all the great posts and they are very helpful. I am looking to possibly have surgery for L5-S1 disc herniation, spinal stenosis, facet arthopathy, DDD, high grade annular tear, etc. I have tried the ESI's, PT, medication all with no help. I am only 27 years old and shouldn't have all these problems so young

. I had neuro surgeon consult about 2 years ago and said I needed surgery then and wanted to do a fusion. Well I didn't like the thought of that too much so I sucked it up and didn't go through with it. Well a little over 2 years later here I am in a lot worse pain and according to my MRI, a lot more problems. I am tired of taking pain medicine just to function. I am a big into hunting and fishing and cannot hardly even do that anymore. My neighbor just had an ALIF on his L5-S1 and has done pretty good with it so far. I am currently trying to do a lot of research on this procedure and the others before I have my appointment with the surgeon. So if any of yall have any suggestions on good surgeons in the Atlanta/Athens, please let me know.
Thanks
Nathan

**ajj1001** · 08-09-2010, 09:20 PM

Hi Nathan and welcome to the forum. Sounds like you have been through the mill, the only good thing about facing this when you are young is that if you decide to go ahead with surgery you should recover faster. Doing your research now and finding the right option for you will be time well spent.

alison x

**trkdoc714** · 08-10-2010, 05:59 AM

Nathan,

Welcome to the forum. Alison is dead on, do a lot of research. As far as local surgeons go, apparently I wasn't successful in finding one that I fully trusted. I'd advise getting multiple opinions from both neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons. Both are qualified for this type of surgery.

I'm on the other side of ATL from you but can give you some names of surgeons from my experiences.

Good luck,

Bob

**KBear** · 08-10-2010, 10:40 AM

Nathan,
Welcome to forum and sorry you find yourself needing surgery. I suggest getting at least 3 surgical opinions before deciding what procedure and surgeon to go with. Ask any questions you may have and do lots of research.
Kathy

**Cindylou** · 08-10-2010, 11:22 AM

Welcome Nathan,

All good advice from everyone. I too am sorry you are experiencing such pain at such a young age. Justin, Kathy, and Greg can totally relate as they are all in your age bracket too. I am much older than you, but chronic pain sucks at any age and is the great equalizer. Good luck as you research, and we are here along the way. :thumpup:

**Keano16** · 08-10-2010, 01:39 PM

My suggestions is to explore all the possibilities. Fusion should be last resort. There are lots of minimally-invasive treatment options that can be tried.

**Gilbert P** · 08-10-2010, 01:46 PM

Hi Nate

All great advise

We are here to help.

Gil

**Hooch** · 08-10-2010, 10:35 PM

Gday mate,

I'm in a similar situation, not too much fun is it. There's plenty of good info on this site and others. The only thing I'd say is that most people who have successful operations forget all about it and don't hang around posting on message boards, so bear that in mind when you find it very difficult to find positive outcome stories on the web. But do be aware of the risks.

Best of luck,
Chris.

**Greg** · 08-10-2010, 10:38 PM

Nathan,

to the forum and as with most new members I hate the situation that brings you here. I too have had serious spine issues at a young age starting in my teens and finally had an L4-S1 ALIF on 6-18-10 and this Friday will be 8 weeks since surgery for me. I am only 24 years young and attribute my youth and choice of surgeon to my speedy recovery. I couldn't and still have a hard time believing how quick I bounced back. I'm not back to perfect yet and know my limitations but definitely think youth played to my advantage.....at least for the surgery, it played to my disadvantage getting a Dr to believe something was wrong without an MRI to prove it.

I hope you can find a way to fix your spine without having to have it fused as it should be the last resort and if you have the option of a less invasive procedure that can correct your problem I would go that route 1st. It took me a while and a lot of research to get away from the negative thoughts of fusion and I couldn't be happier with my decision. Now only if I can fix my SI joints and I'd be back to pain free....but the pain I have is not from the discs anymore and is localized to a seperate issue that wasnt worked on.

Having spine issues at a young age sucks especially when thats when your usually the most active and it sounds like your spine issues are causing problems with that. I use to never stop, always on the go but it got to the point where I could barely do anything other than work. Keep your head up, stay positive and know there's hope out there for you! Whatever treatment you decide on getting finding a surgeon who is very experienced makes a big difference. My surgeon was an orthopedic BTW.

**Jack-of-all-trades** · 08-12-2010, 08:37 PM

Nathan,

Sounds like you have a problem similar to mine. In addition to what others have said about exploring non-surgical options, it will probably boil down to two. Fusion vs Disc replacement. It seems a tough choice between the devil and the deep blue sea especially at your age. There is a very good chance you will be back in the woods in no time. Just let others carry out the game. Where I live in the sticks of western NC, we are over-run with deer. They eat our garden, fruit trees, even my wifes roses. A neighbor and his wife left for work about 1/2 hour apart one morning. They both hit deer with their cars on the same day causing thousands of dollars damage. They use to be cute to look at but after 20 years they are now pests an multiplying like rabbits, which we have too. Over the last 6-8 years, coyotes have taken hold as well as an occasional black bear. Hopefully they will help control the deer. (What this has to do with back pain, I don't know, unless it is related to stress

)

Facet disease really hinders success with disc replacement at the L5-S1 level. This makes a lot of sense when you look at the orientation of this level in relation to gravity. A common occurrence is a displacement of the vertebra called spondylolysthesis with pars defect or the pulling apart of the thin bones around the spinal canal. My decision with this condition was to go with a minimally invasive posterior interbody fusion. I still have some pain at times but was able to taper off all opiates and only use Tylenol and non-steroidal like Advil for pain. I do have adjacent disc disease as well so you have two 'one-ups' on me, age and single level.

Just as a point of reference, quite a few years an Olympic high diver had a spinal fusion. He won a gold medal. High diving is one of the worst shocks you can put on your spine. All that twisting and turning and then that sudden stop.