This is a discussion on Hello from Charleston SC (3 Weeks Post-op XLIF Fusion L4/L5) within the Surgical Outcomes forums, part of the Spine Surgery Forums category; I'm 3 weeks post op XLIF fusion L4/L5. The works was done by the Southeastern Spine Institute. If you are ...
Hello from Charleston SC (3 Weeks Post-op XLIF Fusion L4/L5) I'm 3 weeks post op XLIF fusion L4/L5. The works was done by the Southeastern Spine Institute. If you are anywhere near Charleston, I recommend them. Probably not supposed to but I know there they are cutting edge.
I had no disc at L4/L5 for over 4 years because I was rear-ended by and SUV. To date I'd have to say that the cure is worse than the disease. They've cure the sciatic nerve pain, which is a massive blessing. Any Sciatic sufferers know what that's like. The Psoas muscle entry wounds and are amazingly painful.
This to shall pass. I start PT this week.
re: Hello from Charleston SC (3 Weeks Post-op XLIF Fusion L4/L5) Hello wherescari,
Welcome to the Spine Patient Society!
Thank you for sharing your surgical experience with the SPS Forum. How is your pain currently? Good luck with physical therapy this week. Keep us posted on your progress.
BTW, when you get a chance, see this thread: New Members, Read First: How to Create a Signature (Your Spine History)
Justin Averna
Founder & President, Spine Patient Society™
www.SpinePatientSociety.org
A 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Nonprofit & Charitable Organization
I'm here to help.
- 1994: Football Injury, Severe Hyperextension
- 1997: Snow Skiing Injury
- 3/7/1997: Laminotomy L4/L5
- 1999 & 2003: Motor Vehicle Accidents (not at fault both times) --> Grade V Annular Tears L4/L5 & L5/L6
- 11/15/2003: 2-Level ProDisc® L4/L5 & L5/L6*, *lumbosacral transitional vertebra --> Dr. Rudolf Bertagnoli
- 4/2008: 4.5 years pain-free before "new" leg pain
- 5/14/2009: Dynamic Stabilization System L4/L5, Dr. Rudolf Bertagnoli
Questions? Suggestions? Need help with registering, creating a signature, etc.?
justin (at) spinepatientsociety.org
Disclosure: I have no financial relationships with any surgeons, spine clinics, device manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, etc. -- the SPS Board of Directors serve without compensation.
Re: Hello from Charleston SC (3 Weeks Post-op XLIF Fusion L4/L5) Welcome wherescarl.....Are you saying "to date, I'd have to say the cure is worse than the disease" because of your pain levels post surgery? I would definitely talk to your surgeon about your current pain levels. You definitely want your pain managed so you can heal appropriately and expeditiously. Recovery will take longer if your pain isn't being managed properly, just an fyi. Ok, I think I made my point. Twice. haha. Please keep us posted on your continued recovery if you like. We do care. Cindylou
• January 2000 MVA passenger, used jaws of life to retrieve me, neck injury and months of PT
• June 2001 Bicycle accident, 2 compression fractures at T12/L1, Vertebroplasty Sept. 2001
• April 2006 right hip, labral tear and repair
• April 2007 3 level ProDisc @ L3/4, L4/5 & L5/6✷ ✷Lumbosacral transitional vertebra; Dr. Rudolph Bertagnoli
• July 2, 2008 ALIF & Laminectomy @ L6/S1
• July 30, 2008 re-opened 28 days later to remove bone cement that had leaked onto S1 nerve root
• August 2008 Pulmonary embolism, double pneumonia, collapsed left lung, re-hospitalized 1 week
• March 10, 2009 Right SI Joint Fusion
• April 27, 2010 2nd right hip arthroscopy to remove adhesions and release psoas muscle
• September 30, 2010 lumbar facet rhizotomy
• December 9, 2010 12 bilateral lumbar trigger point and steroid injections
• December 23, 2010 12 more bilateral trigger point injections w/o steroid
• February 15, 2011 ESI bilaterally in lower lumbar...relief only for few days. Considering 1 more.
Did Spinal Cord Stimulator trial from 5/11/11-5/17/11 with excellent results; Spinal Cord Stimulator surgery is Monday,
July 18, 2011
Re: Hello from Charleston SC (3 Weeks Post-op XLIF Fusion L4/L5) Hey Cindy,
Thx for that. I have bottles of meds on my dresser right now. Neurontin, Oxycodone, Valium and Prednisone. Saw the doc for the 1st post-op 10/16/10 and he extended the Oxy because of pain and wrote the Prednisone for the ongoing nerve issue. Says that will stop the pain in my thigh bone. Seems to be working.
Overall post-op grade was B-. That's not bad considering....
1. They had to really manipulate me so much to get to the L4/L5 junction because I have a very high hip bone. It was a joke in recovery...I was stoned on morphine but they said something about tow straps and a floor jack...Yikes!
2. The L4/L5 junction was a complete train wreck.
3. They managed to only get a 10mm stretch for the implant. They wanted (and tried to get) a 12mm stretch. That added almost an hour to the procedure.
Had my PT Eval today and I'm feeling better about the outlook. The PT gal was great and promised to work me within an inch of my life....Oh, boy!
Thx again for your concern, that's Y I joined.
We'll keep ya posted.
Re: Hello from Charleston SC (3 Weeks Post-op XLIF Fusion L4/L5) Carl,
I know it's still early, but congratulation on what so far looks to be a successful surgery.
Tow straps and a floor jack? Well, at least no one requested a wench and a crow bar!?
Again, congrats, please keep us posted, and good luck!
Jeff
C4/5 fusion, January 2000
C5/6 fusion, February 2002
C3/4 & C6/7 - M6 ADR, Nov 2009, Barcelona
Conceded defeat to a manifestly disingenuous BCBS-TX in my quest for reimbursement, Jan 2011
Re: Hello from Charleston SC (3 Weeks Post-op XLIF Fusion L4/L5) Hi Carl, I'm glad to hear that your surgery was a success. Congratulations!
I had a similar surgery at that level, plus two others. I'm curious about what kind of implant was used with you. I had a PEEK cage implanted at both that level and the L5/S1. What a difference between the two, between the XLIF and the ALIF at L5/S1. While neither were bad, the XLIF was so much easier, as far as recovery went.
I know what you mean about the repositioning...my surgery was over seven hours long, and most of that was from being moved aroundIt felt like I was hit by a truck, in a very nice way of course!
That is so true with most of us. We're a pretty supportive group here and without everyone, I never would have succeeded in my journey to a new back.Thx again for your concern, that's Y I joined.
Severe compression of spinal cord, flaval ligament, etc. at C4/5 & 5/6.
Herniation and compression, at L3/4 to L5/S1 plus spondylosis at the latter level. Severe allergy to most metals.
Three level surgery in Brazil with Dr. Luiz Pimenta on March 17/2010 using non-metal appliances. L5/S1-PEEK cage, ALIF; L4/5-PEEK cage, XLIF; C5/6-NuVasive NeoDisc. Three separate approaches, two minimally invasive. Currently minor residual back pain, from SI ligament and still overdoing things. Therapy and chiropractic treatments helping immensely. Gone from being almost bedridden to near normal activities including gardening. Life is gooooood!
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