[Spinal Fusion / Lumbar] L3 - S1 level fusion all done

[Phil_b]

If you have read my previous posts you will know I had a Graf stabilization done in 1992 which failed not long after and ever since I have been trying to find a doctor who would undertake a 3 level fusion for me. Well I find someone and he undertook the surgery a week ago last Monday. A left leg decompression was done, the eight pedicule screws removed, bone taken from the right lilac crest and rods and screws refitted. Was on the table for about 7 hours and felt as rough as old boots when I came to.

The surgery wasn’t straight forward as the previous surgeon had drilled the screw holes to close to the edge of the vertebrae on L4 so the new surgeon was unable to screw the new rods to L4, surgeon reckons that provided the new bone fuses there wont be any problem from L4. Also had a major leak on day three from the wound – not a pleasant experience but been taking huge amounts of antibiotics to kill off any infection and thankfully wound is totally headed and dry. I do have strange tingling in my right leg which wasn’t there before but in the plus side I can feel thing sin my left leg which I couldn’t before.

Travelled from the UK back to Mayo in the Republic of Ireland on Tuesday and other then a lumpy sea crossing on the ferry things weren’t too bad.

Only pain killers I am on is two paracetamol 4 times a day and a Tramadol in the evening . No physio for at least three months and I don’t have to see the surgeon until them as well. I am walking without crutches although not any great distance 150 yards or so two or three times a day.

As to the outcome of the surgery it feels really strange feeling the rods in my back, movement and mobility is definitely restricted but hopefully some of that will come back in due course. Cant say it was a particularly pleasant experience but all in all the pain hasn’t been too bad and first impressions of the result was it has been well worth the trouble. Fingers crossed the rest of it goes okay from hereon in.

[SemperFi]

Hi Phil,
I'm quite interested to hear more as you progress. I was advised back around 2000 to have a 3 level global fusion and then about 3 years later a 2 level ADR then several years later a hybrid surgery w/ADR and fusion... I didn't do any of them though now I'm no longer an ADR candidate so fusion in the future may have to be considered again. I'm just trying to age w/grace (ha!) and let my spine fuse on it's own.

That being said what we want isn't always what we get so just hoping fusion technology has improved greatly in the past decade. Maybe more so out of the states where there isn't the FDA limitations/insurance BS to deal with?? Either which way wishing you great success w/your newly surgerized spine and hope the recovery is uneventful and lessens previous pain levels markedly.

[RetroVirus]

How far did you travel to get to your surgery?

[Phil_b]

Hi Retro

I used to live in the UK until last August when I moved over to the west coast of Southern Ireland, I havent moved my medical stuff over to Ireland as of yet (mainly because I knew this surgery was coming). The surgeons in Irland wouldnt even contemplate doing the surgery as it was too difficult so sticking with the hopsital in the UK was really my only choice. Total distance was about 300 miles including the ferry of 60ish miles.

@SempirFi

Been a couple of days now since I got home and in truth I thought htings would be a hell of a lot worse then they are - cant believe how well I feel. Still sore obviously and I guess thats the case for some time to come but I am mobile, showering myself etc. If the recovery continues in this manner I will be more then please witgh what has happened.

Regards

Phil

[ajj1001]

glad to hear your recovery is going well

[Phil_b]

Morning all - quick update on how things are going - at the moment I feel great still sore from the graft site (think thats going to be the hard bit to get over). My lower back certainly feels different with the rods in place, lot more stable and other then minor discomfort from the rods being in place it feels brillant. No back pain - cant get my head round that at all but if this is the sign of things to come then I am so glad had this op done. Walking a bit further every day which I think is helping, spending my day sitting, walking standing and the occasional lie down. Went to town yesterday and had lunch out which was a nice fillup. My right hip and thigh is sore from the graft and sometimes just to touch the skin sends me in agony (totally new pain) but I am guessing this is as a result of the graft being taken.

Do have one question though - anyone who has had similar surgery done do you sleep on your back all the time or do you migrate over to one side during the night? I am finding that sleeping on my side is more comfortable and none of the PT's has said not too.

@ajj1001 many thanks for your kind words :-)

Regards

Phil

[ajj1001]

post ADR i slept on my side in a recovery position with pillows to support the one knee bent up to keep it in line with my hip. i normally sleep on my stomach so felt very uncomfortable on my back. sure you can check with the physio as to the recommended positions.

[Pbchoclovr]

Phil,

I had a TLIF fusion of the L4/5 a little before you had your surgery with rods and screws. I too have been able to feel the rods, especially the one on the right, because it's not as aligned with my spine as the left set. Something to do with my vertebrae being veritical. Not sure what he meant but I see a huge difference in the xrays. Overtime, I've gotten used to and only feel it now when I've done too much or bend in a way that's prohibited. My surgeon used a synthetic material for the graft. He told me he didn't want to be the cause of my complaining for life about my hip if he took the graft from there.

To answer you question about sleeping. From the time I woke up from surgery in the hospital, I've slept on my side. I figured if they didn't want me sleeping that way, they'd tell me. None of the nurses or doctors told me not to. I've continued that here at home. I've even gone so far as to take two pillows and prop one in front of me and one behind me, so I'm kind of floating/sandwiched between the pillows. It's been so much more comfortable. I don't like sleeping on my back and have never been a back sleeper. The only thing I was told was to make sure my knees were bent in such a way as to support my back/body in the proper alignment as I was on my side. This came from the xray tech who took my first set of post op films. The hospital staff told me, whatever made me comfortable as long as it wasn't on my stomach, was fine with them.

Glad you're improving!

Linda

[Phil_b]

Hi Linda - nice to know its not just me LOL. The surgeon here didnt want to use anything other the bone from my hip, as luck would have it he only needed to harvest from one side but he warned me that it may have been both sides.

Sleeping is my problem at the moment - am okay till about 4am then I am wide awake, cramps in my left leg hopefully that will settle down in time. Still trying to get used to the rods in my spine - it really does feel strange but if thats the only adverse effect I can quite happily live with that. Graft site is sore but then I was warned it would be - again time will will tell - your surgeons comments dont fill me with a great deal of joy about hip grafts LOL. Walking bout 200 yards four times a day now which is good - still have to take my time though but as I was told to do what I was comfortable with I will carry on walking. Want to be doing a couple of miles twice a day by Christmas.

Even going to the pub for a pint tonight tablets are now just a couple of paracetamol whenever I need them but I try not to take them if I can help it.

Let me know how your healing goes Linda

Regards to all

Phil

[Catherine]

Hello Phil,

Really glad you are progressing so much! I just wanted to throw in my two cents about the hip graft. I had an ACDF in '93 with the hip graft. It definitely was the more bothersome of the two incisions, but within a few months it was much better! And the knowledge that it was my bone and I didn't have to worry about rejection or non-fusion was a large help in dealing with the added pain. If I have to choose between my bone or something else again, I will choose my bone. I just wanted to reassure you that it does get better, and won't take forever. Best of luck with everything.

Catherine