DISK REPLACEMENT OR FUSION??

[angelor]

hello my doc. gave me two options for my l5-s1 disk
1) have  a one level fusion
2) have a disk replacement with the charite artificial disk
        ANY SUGGESTIONS ANYONE ANY OPINIONS???

[nesweetie67]

I had a 3 level fusion done in 2004 ( s1-l5, l5-l4, l4-l3).  I had a traumatic injury in 1999 and ruptured 5 discs and fractured another.  My Dr's and Lawyers litagated for a couple of years and I went without work therefore I had to wait to have any surgery until it was all settled.  At any rate, I was also hoping to hold out for the disc replacement surgery, but like many, I didnt want to take a risk and be one of the first in my area to have it done.  Being a nurse and seeing the results of the fusion in others it also scared me.  By 2004 I could no longer walk without falling due to the loss of feeling to my legs, so it was time to do something.  By then it was too late for the replacement.  I did my research,  I found one of the best spinal surgeons in my PPO in my area with the lowest infection rate at a hopsital in my PPO with the highest technology to handle this type of procedure, also with the lowest infection and mortality rate.  I did exactly what I was told to do and was up and walking within 12 hours.  I was home withing 4 days.  I was walking a mile within 2 1/2 weeks and back to work part time in 3 weeks and full time in 6 weeks.  It has been 4 years since my fusion, I tennd to over do it sometimes and that reminds me what my restrictions are, but i can walk, I can get around and I am not on pain medication at all.  As a matter of fact, I was off the pain medication within a couple months.  I did have to take flexaril off and on for a couple of years for muscle spasms due to the hardware, but believe me, it was a fair trade.  I believe that is the case with the replacement as well.  My Dr was able to reuse my own bone that he drilled through for the fusuion rather than donor bone.  Therefore I didnt have to have a graft.  I hear the graft id the most painful part.  I really didnt want someone elses donor bone in my spine, sounds bad, but I really didnt, unless it was a last option.  But really I do feel goo,and actually as far as the discs at the levels above the fusion,  well they actually got better with all the rest and wearing the brace and walking.  Also, I found that if you can find a really big gel ice pack, take the solid form out of the back of your back brace, and freeze the ice pack on it, slide the ice packs into the slot where the form is to be, (as you should keep ice on your incision area to keep the swelling down if you have the posterior approach like I had, )this works awesome.  I sat in the wheelchair(which was much more comfy for me and easier to get in and out of) with the ice there, the swelling was minimal, which helpped the healing time, and kept the bruising down as well.  So if you do what you are supposed to do, and use proper body mechanics and posture.  Dont over do it, and take care of your self after surgery, and remember to walk, walk walk!  you will feel good.  Just do the research and find a very good surgeon.  It is so worth it. Talk to your Doctor, get his thoughts, if you dont like what he has to say find someone else.  It took me a few different Dr's.  Actually the first Surgeon I was scheduled with was supposed to be really great, but the hospital he did the procedure at had the highest infection rate in the state.  I showed him my research and he was supprised, stating he was the only MD who preformed this procedure there.  I was taken aback a moment and decided I would be finding a different MD as well.  I had to postpone my surgery a couple of months, but it was worth the extra time and effort...

Good Luck
NESweetie67

[JMar63]

I have also been offered both of those options or the spinal stimulator.  I have family that have had the fusion and they have had to have multiple surgerys too. I feel like the spinal stimulator is just covering over the problem.  I really think the disk being replaced is the way I want to go, but I am like hope4relief, I don't want to be a guinea pig either.

[hope4relief]

I had been offered same options. I have already had a microdiskectomy at L5- S1 2 years ago with no relief. New MRI shows some more changes in L3- L4, L4- L5. My pain specialist has told me that many of the doctors have pulled back from the replacements because they have started to slip. This worries me--I am really not prepared to be a guinea pig but don't want to cut down on later options as new methods are found. What do others think?

[smudgersmith]

I have been given the same option, my surgeon said basically after two years you will feel no different, however in some very few cases with fusion there are problems years after with the disc above. I have opted for a replacement. ( I asked the surgeon which he would choose and without hesitation he said replacement.)
hope this helps