[Spinal Fusion / Lumbar] Lumbar Spinal Fusion L2 through S1

[moodylink]

Just wanted to say hello and ask a question.
A little about me-

I was 35 when I was diagnosed with Degenerative Disk Disease and Osteoarthritis because I had developed bone spurs in my hips and could not tolerate the pain anymore, (I'll be 57 in April). I followed all of the recommendations of my Ortho to help control it, weight loss, exercise, NSAIDs, nerve root blocks, pain control meds, massage therapy, but gradually over the years I have progressed to having 2 herniated discs, degenerative spondylolisthesis, lumbar spinal stenosis, and scoliosis.
My Ortho and I have worked together over the years to keep the back muscles strong with exercise (gardening is one of my chosen exercises)and to control the biggest complaint of all sufferers of this disease, PAIN. I use Fentanyl 100 every 48hrs. and if needed, Diladid 8mg every 4 to 6 hours. Surgery has always been the last resource and the only reason we feels it is now time is due to the paralysis in my legs whenever I reach up and my back is now seizing up and sending me to the hospital.
I've had all the pre-admission tests and will be having the operation in about 3 weeks.

My ortho will be doing fusion of L2 through S1.
I know it will be about a year for good recovery but does anyone know how restricting this length of fusion will be after that. I am an avid gardener and outdoor enthusiast and was wondering if I will be able to continue doing physical work such as gardening ,landscaping and snowshoeing in the coming years?


Any thoughts will be greatly appreciated.


Moodylink

[Jack-of-all-trades]

Moody,

Sympathy for your situation. Only time and God knows the answer. There are so many variables that come into play that generalities tend to be poor prognosticators. However, I have a neighbor who is a neurosurgeon and who also has severe spine issues. He has always went for surgery first before meds. Anyway, he has now what is called poker spine, all lumbar and cervical vertebra are fused. He is now in his upper 70's and has been doing well for close to 20 years. He still gets out and putters in his yard, walks his dog and talks to neighbors. Boy does he ever talk to neighbors. The thing about age and years is a wealth of entertaining first hand info to draw on.

Our attitudes and ability to accept our limitations is sometimes more important than meds or even surgical outcome.

[Justin]

Hi Moodylink,

Welcome to the Spine Patient Society!

It sounds like you have done everything under the sun to take care of your spine. With your increased paralysis and chronic pain, moving forward now with surgery makes sense. In terms of restriction after fusion from L2 through S1, it depends on a lot of different "variables." Personally, I've spoken to many Spine Patients that have "long fusions" and are doing quite well and are staying active. As long as your not lifting heavy objects (landscaping), I would venture to say that your spine will do very well postoperatively. Inherently the surgery will limit some of the motion in your lumbar spine, but it sounds like you don't place much weight on limitations anyway. As you recover from spine surgery, you will "get a feel" for what you will be able to do--make sure to give yourself time, as many Spine Patients take 1-2 years to "fully" recover from surgery.

I wish you the very best and will be thinking about you.

[NancyC]

Just wanted to say hello and ask a question.
A little about me-

I was 35 when I was diagnosed with Degenerative Disk Disease and Osteoarthritis because I had developed bone spurs in my hips and could not tolerate the pain anymore, (I'll be 57 in April). I followed all of the recommendations of my Ortho to help control it, weight loss, exercise, NSAIDs, nerve root blocks, pain control meds, massage therapy, but gradually over the years I have progressed to having 2 herniated discs, degenerative spondylolisthesis, lumbar spinal stenosis, and scoliosis.
My Ortho and I have worked together over the years to keep the back muscles strong with exercise (gardening is one of my chosen exercises)and to control the biggest complaint of all sufferers of this disease, PAIN. I use Fentanyl 100 every 48hrs. and if needed, Diladid 8mg every 4 to 6 hours. Surgery has always been the last resource and the only reason we feels it is now time is due to the paralysis in my legs whenever I reach up and my back is now seizing up and sending me to the hospital.
I've had all the pre-admission tests and will be having the operation in about 3 weeks.

My ortho will be doing fusion of L2 through S1.
I know it will be about a year for good recovery but does anyone know how restricting this length of fusion will be after that. I am an avid gardener and outdoor enthusiast and was wondering if I will be able to continue doing physical work such as gardening ,landscaping and snowshoeing in the coming years?


Any thoughts will be greatly appreciated.


Moodylink

Thanks for posting this Moodylink. I have the same questions and I see Jack-of-All-Trades has answered them. Thanks!

~Nancy

[Justin]

Hi Moodlink,

I was just checking in to see how your surgery went. I do hope you are doing well...please post an update if you get a chance.

[Cindylou]

Our attitudes and ability to accept our limitations is sometimes more important than meds or even surgical outcome.

Wow, that is a powerful statement Mike, and so very true. Thank-you for posting that. Justin, fyi, I don't believe Moodylink has had surgery yet. I think surgery is still about a week to week and a half out, according to Moodylink's prior post. Good luck with surgery Moodylink. I wish you only the best. Cindylou

[Claire]

[QUOTE=NancyC;21190]

Thanks for posting this Moodylink. I have the same questions and I see Jack-of-All-Trades has answered them. Than

(QUOTE) I had a spinal fusion (long time ago -35 yrs) so you may have a easier time as things are done so differently today. However, I have a surgeon who would fuse my back similar to what I had before and he said that I would be in a brace for 3 months - takes 6 months to really get going again. This is about the same as I did 35 years ago. It did take me a very long time to be able to do very much but it finally got better and was fairly easy to live with until the last 10 years. Now have degenerative disks about the fusion and 2 cervical. Again looking at surgery and trying to decide what when to do this. There are several different options now so I am still researching. However good luck and follow the doctors instructions.... it may take longer but will pay off in the end.

Claire

[Jack-of-all-trades]

This is the type of surgery I had. Actually it was the place too. Since interbody titanium was used, I didn't have to wear a brace, ever.

ORLive, Inc.: Minimally Invasive Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF)

[Gilbert P]

Hi Moodylink

Welcome I wish you the best on your upcoming surgery.

Mike thanks for that link, I wonder if that procedure can be done at severial levels?

Be good to your spine

Gil